Lego Duplo

Where to Buy Toys Made in U.S./Canada/Europe by AJ Rae

Have you been thinking about your kids' toys lately? Chances are, if you are a parent, you have been. The many recalls of products made in China have dominated the news recently. We have had problems with tires, toothpaste, pet food, and the latest: toys. (Correction: While researching this article, I stumbled across a recall on children's pajamas.)There is considerable speculation as to why and how this could have happened, and plenty of blame going around. However, that is not the major concern of most parents. Most of us just want to keep our children safe. For now, steering clear of purchasing products made in China, and the entire developing Pacific Rim is probably the safest route for the present time.

If you have been shopping recently, and looking at labels, you have probably come to the realization that buying items made in the U.S., toys in particular, is no easy task. I have just returned from one such trip to a toy store where I found some toys that are manufactured in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. I also learned that you cannot rely on a brand name to make your selections. For example, good old-fashioned Crayola crayons are made in the U.S.A. However, some other products distributed by the company are made in China. Another example is LEGO. Legos are made in Denmark and a few other European countries. But when I checked the Duplo Blocks, which are the larger blocks made for younger children, the packages indicated that some of them were made in China.

Reading labels can be confusing too. While looking for the words made in" do not be distracted by the words distributed by". These are two completely different things. The words made in" are the words you are looking for. Another potentially confusing issue is packaging. A set of blocks called Mega Bloks are made in Canada. The bag they come in is made in China.

What can we do?

First, think about the obvious fact that most of the problems have been caused by children putting toys, or parts of toys, in their mouths. Keep in mind that any toy that poses a choking hazard is more lethal than anything. This remains the primary reason for toy recalls regardless where they are made. Be sure to follow the age guidelines printed on the package when choosing toys. I have had parents say to me that they don't pay much attention to the guidelines because their child is more advanced. That may be true intellectually, but the guidelines take physical development into consideration as well. A simple way to test whether or not a toy and the parts of the toy can pose a choking hazard is to use an empty tube from a roll of toilet paper. If you can drop the piece into the tube, it is considered too small for children 3 years of age or younger. Inspect your child's toys frequently. Look for loose parts, sharp edges, and broken parts. Do not buy any toy that features magnetic parts. Swallowing magnets can result in serious injury. Also, look for labels that say PVC Free. This applies to baby toys, teething rings, and other things that may end up in baby's mouth.

Share your knowledge.

I have started a page on our website of featuring toys made in the U.S./Canada/Europe. And in the forum there is a special section for toys our readers recommend and those to avoid. Please add your knowledge by making a post. If you have made any toys of your own, please share here.

Start shopping now.

If you are concerned about these issues, the best recommendation I can make is to start shopping now. Even if you intend to order products on the internet, I have a feeling that supplies will run short very soon.
Here are some links to some sites that sell American made toys, dolls and puzzles:

Vermont Teddy Bear http://shop.vermontteddybear.com/...

Whittle Short Line http://www.woodentrain.com/

Shop for America http://www.shopforamerica.com/home.php?c...

Commissary Toys http://www.commissarytoys.com/browse.cfm...

Turner Toys http://www.turnertoys.com/folk_toys/wood...

Consider toy alternatives.

Making your own toys is an avenue that some people are considering. A few books on the subject are on the website. Or, maybe something altogether different: a family vacation for example, or a party. The most important thing is that you think about it now so that you have time to prepare.

Consider a modified approach.

Some people would like to purchase certain toys because they are favorites and don't consider the problem to be that bad. My recommendation is that if you do decide to buy the toy(s), please do not buy anything that your child may put in their mouth. And, second, keep yourself informed. Pay attention to the latest news bulletins regarding recalls.

Ali's 2 sense...

I know that some of you have been reading that if corporations try to pull out of China, or impose stricter regulations on the manufacturers, the Chinese have threatened to dump" U.S. bonds and cause some sort of financial havoc here in the U.S. This response shows a blatant disregard for the safety and welfare of our children. That is completely unacceptable. They may as well be saying, if you don't buy our poisoned toys, you will be sorry" - What? I don't think so. Just remember you, the consumer, have the final say. Vote with your wallet.

AJ Rae is a writer and a teacher. She recently published her first book: How to Help Kids Learn to Read. Her website How to Help Kids Read is dedicated to providing you with information about how to help your child.
http://howtohelpkidsread.com/

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Where-to-Buy-Toys-Made-in-U-S--Canada-Europe/202456

FEATURED PRODUCTS:

A great place to shop for Lego Duplo products is Amazon.

Check out these fine shops that offer Lego Duplo products:

LEGO DUPLO Building Plates 4632 $13.69 This LEGO DUPLO building blocks play set features three building plates for hours of imaginative play. This play set also features a durable plastic construction and red, yellow, and green colors.

LEGO DUPLO Pink Brick Box $14.99 Let your imagination run wild with this fun LEGO DUPLO pink brick box set with cute rabbits, flowers and more. This set includes a colorful assortment of 30 pieces.

LEGO Duplo Legoville Deluxe Train Set $96.99 This LEGO Duplo Legoville deluxe train set includes 30 tracks that can be combined and used in a variety of arrangements. This LEGO set includes 116 pieces, including a motorized train with two wagons.

LEGO DUPLO Large Green Building Plate 2304 $18.49 This LEGO DUPLO building block play set features a large green building plate for hours of imaginative play. This play set also features a durable plastic construction and is compatible with other DUPLO blocks sets.

LEGO DUPLO Baby Zoo Play Set 4962 $12.99 This LEGO DUPLO Baby Zoo building blocks play set features 18 durable plastic pieces for hours of imaginative play. This play set includes zoo keeper, polar bear, lion, giraffe, and elephant minifigures.

LEGO DUPLO My First Fire Station 6138 $27.99 This building block set from LEGO allows your child to use their creativity and imagination. This set includes sixty colorful pieces.

LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess Cinderella's Castle Building Blocks Set 6154 $42.59 This engaging 77-piece building blocks set from LEGO includes Cinderella and Prince Charming mini figurines. This play set also features Duplo bricks that are safe and sturdy for little hands and big imaginations.

LEGO DUPLO My First Farm Building Blocks Play Set 6141 $22.99 This engaging 62-piece building blocks set from LEGO includes a farmer with new Duplo farm vehicle, sheep, pig, chicken and cow figurines. This play set also features Duplo bricks that are safe and sturdy for little hands and big imaginations.

LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess Cinderella's Carriage Building Blocks Set 6153 $25.99 This engaging 20-piece building blocks set from LEGO includes Cinderella mini figurine and her carriage. This play set also features Duplo bricks that are safe and sturdy for little hands and big imaginations.

LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty's Room 6151 $14.69 This engaging 16-piece building blocks set from LEGO includes Sleeping Beauty mini figurine and her bed. This play set also features Duplo bricks that are safe and sturdy for little hands and big imaginations.

LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess Snow White's Cottage 6151 $13.69 This engaging 28-piece building blocks set from LEGO includes a Snow White mini figurine and her cottage. This play set also features Duplo bricks that are safe and sturdy for little hands and big imaginations.

LEGO DUPLO Creative Cakes Building Blocks Set 6785 $26.99 This engaging 55-piece building blocks set from LEGO includes everything you need to make a wide array of play cakes. This play set also features Duplo bricks that are safe and sturdy for little hands and big imaginations.

Ultimate Sticker Collection (Paperback) $10.99 Together with LEGO(r) DUPLO(r) hugely popular building-bricks brand for preschoolers-DK brings stories, coloring, stickers, and building fun to the youngest of readers. Children will love the images and reusable stickers in LEGO DUPLO Ultim...

Rescue (Paperback) $3.95 What better way to involve younger readers in story time than by incorporating their favorite toys and characters! Together with LEGO. Duplo. hugely popular building bricks, DK brings stories, pictures, and sticker fun to our young readers. Fire! ...

Farm (Paperback) $3.95 What better way to involve younger readers in story time than by incorporating their favorite toys and characters! Together with LEGO. Duplo. hugely popular building bricks, DK brings stories, pictures, and sticker fun to our young readers. In ...

LEGO DUPLO Play with Letters $29.99 Includes LEGO DUPLO child figure, cat, wagon base, chair, 2 windows and 2 flowers. Perfect for introducing the world of LEGO DUPLO fun! Provides endless hours of learning through building fun! Build a bigger vocabulary with LEGO DUPLO bricks!It has never been more fun to learn the alphabet! Big, colorful LEGO DUPLO bricks with matching letters and pictures, let children will have a great time learning letters. Great play starters, like the LEGO DUPLO child figure or cat and wagon base, provide endless hours of learning through building fun! 62 pieces. Type: Blocks & Building Sets Material: PLASTIC Age: Child Gender: Unisex Color Mapping: Red

LEGO DUPLO 5678 Policeman $4.99 Patrol the town with the policeman and his pooch! These LEGO DUPLO bricks are colorful, safe, and sturdy. Just right for little hands and big imaginations! Patrol the town with the policeman and his pooch! Keep your town safe and happy with this policeman and his four-legged sidekick. They’re always on the look out and love to sniff out trouble. These LEGO DUPLO bricks include two figures, the policeman and his trusty dog. The 4 pieces are colorful, safe, and sturdy… just right for little hands and big imaginations! Gender: Male Age: Child

LEGO Duplo Brick Box $19.99 Big pieces are great for small hands! Includes a DUPLO cat!! For ages 1 1/2-5. 33 big pieces! Creativity starts with LEGO DUPLO bricks! These safe, durable pieces are perfect for young hands and imaginative minds. Includes a cat, a window, flowers, and lots of bricks for building, all in a sturdy storage box with lid. Type: Activity Centers Gender: Male Age: Child

LEGO Duplo 6784 Creative Sorter $19.99 Exciting LEGO DUPLO Farm lets kids sort creatively! 23 pieces. Ages 1.5 to 5. Gender: Male Age: Child

LEGO Duplo 4632 Duplo Building Plates $9.99 Exciting LEGO DUPLO building plates give kids a foundation for building just about anything! Start all of your LEGO DUPLO� creations on the right foundation with 3 brightly colored Building Plates in different sizes! 3 pieces. Ages 2 to 5. Gender: Male Age: Child

Lego Duplo: Bus $39.99 Take a ride on the DUPLO Bus! Take a fun trip on the LEGO Ville bus! Get picked up at the bus stop, and don’t forget to put your luggage in the storage compartment before you get on board. Next stop: fun and imagination! Just the right size for smaller hands! Bus has working cargo doors! Also included driver, girl and grandfather figures plus accessories! Measures over 8 inches (20cm) long! Set includes 14 pieces! Type: Activity Centers Gender: Unisex Age: Child

Lego Duplo Bulk Set $44.68 There s a whole world of possibility open to your students when they get their hands on the updated DUPLO Large Bulk Set. This set is excellent on its own or as a supplement to other DUPLO sets and features 144 elements including nonstandard bricks with eyes wings and more. Your students will find unlimited building potential while at the same time improving spatial intelligence and expressive language skills.

LEGO Duplo 6052 My First LEGO Duplo Vehicle Set $44.99 Exciting LEGO DUPLO car set is a great way to get kids started building cars! Two figures are included, along with spinning wheels, a wrecker hook, a basket, windows, and so much more. Contains 90 pieces. Ages 2 to 5. Gender: Male Age: Child

LEGO DUPLO 5632 Animal Care $7.99 This adorable DUPLO tiger cub has been throughly vetted! Just the right size for smaller hands! Includes tiger, zookeeper and flower This little tiger cub needs looking after. Fortunately, the friendly zookeeper knows just what to do! LEGO DUPLO pieces are safe and sturdy for small hands. 4 pieces. Gender: Unisex Age: Child

LEGO DUPLO Building Plates 4632 $29.09 This LEGO DUPLO building blocks play set features three building plates, one red one yellow and one green. These are great for adding to existing sets enhancing the hours of imaginative play. Brand: LEGOName: DUPLO Building PlatesModel: 4632Materials: PlasticColors: Red/yellow/greenRecommended for children ages 2-5 years oldDimensions: 10 inches high x 10 inches wideIncludes: 3 pieces

Lego Duplo Farm Set $120.48 Learning about farm life is an all-time favorite and this set provides everything children need to build a busy farm setting including a sturdy barn plenty of cute animals a tractor DUPLO figures and realistic farm tools such as the bale hoist and pitchfork. The set is ideal for working on topics such as animal care seasons and crops.

Lego Duplo Vehicles Set $78.76 This set allows children to explore a wide range of real-life vehicles the functions they have in the community and the different roles people have in the community. Includes road signs waste collection vehicle airplane bus bus stops DUPLO figures and much more.

LEGO DUPLO Pink Brick Box $31.16 Let your imagination run wild with this fun LEGO DUPLO pink brick box set with cute rabbits, flowers and more. This set includes a colorful assortment of 30 pieces. Brand:LegoName: LEGO DUPLO Pink Brick Box Model: V39Materials: PlasticColors: Pink, purple, green, white, blueAge group: 1.5-5 years oldDimensions: 11 inches long x 7.5 inches wide x 7.5 inches deepIncludes: 30 piecesWARNING: Choking Hazard. Not recommended for children under 3 years.

LEGO: Duplo: Cinderellas Castle $49.99 Build the castle where Cinderella and Prince Charming will live happily ever after! Cinderella and her Prince Charming are enjoying life in their big castle. This castle has 2 stories big doors tall towers a fireplace chandeliers staircase cute beds and much more. Build them everything they need to live happily ever after. Includes Cinderella and Prince Charming LEGO® DUPLO® figures. Includes Cinderella figure with detachable skirt for dress-up play Features castle with towers staircase portal and doors table 2 chairs chest mirror bed and 2 blankets Also includes decorated DUPLO bricks: fireplace plate with biscuits chandelier and portal Familiar Disney theme helps children to develop imagination DUPLO products are fun and easy for younger hands The DUPLO building system is specially designed for children aged 18 months to five years Cinderella?s Castle measures over 10? (25cm) tall 5? (12cm) deep and 15? (38cm) wide Type: Sets

Lego Duplo: Postman $7.99 Here comes the Postman! The busy, friendly postman drives around on his motorbike, delivering letters and packages from mailbox to mailbox. DUPLO pieces are colorful, sturdy and fun to spark younger builders’ imaginations. Perfect for younger builders! Includes post box, motorbike, postman figure, package brick, and flower! Set include 9 pieces! Type: Activity Centers Gender: Unisex Age: Child

Lego Duplo Playhouse Set $97.29 This set provides everything youngsters need to recreate their own homes and live out the roles and relationships that are so important to them. The large panels make it easy for small hands to build different types of houses and the DUPLO figures help get role playing started. The playhouse is designed in classic style with colours that will appeal to both boys and girls.

Lego Duplo Pizza Planet Truck $19.99 Fill ‘er up at the handy gas station! Then hang on... the Pizza Planet Truck delivers lots of fun! Colorful LEGO DUPLO bricks and figures. Includes Buzz Lightyear and alien figures! Buzz Lightyear and his alien pal's friends are in trouble. You'd better fill ‘er up at the handy gas station! Quick, hop into the Pizza Planet Truck and speed off to the rescue! These cool LEGO DUPLO bricks and figures are colorful, sturdy, and safe for smaller hands, and this terrific set includes Buzz and alien figures among its 13 pieces. The figures stand over 2-inches tall, while the truck measures about 4-inches tall x 5-inches long. The Pizza Planet Delivery Truck delivers lots of fun! Ages 2 to 5. Gender: Unisex Age: Child

LEGO DUPLO Police Bike 5679 $27 Build imagination and creativity with this police bike themed LEGO set. Included with this set is a police officer, a motorcycle, a signal light, an orange cone and duplo bricks. Brand: LEGOName: Police BikeIncludes: Police officer, motorcycle, signal light, orange cone and duplo bricksModel: 5679 Materials: PlasticAge Group: 2-5 years oldDimensions: 5.5 inches high x 7.5 inches wide x 1.75 inches deepContains: 8 piecesWARNING: Choking Hazard. Not recommended for children under 3 years.

Lego Duplo Jessie's Round Up $14.99 Hey, Jessie, it's time for a roundup! 18-piece preschool building toy based on Toy Story 3. Includes your favorite cowgirl, her trusty horse, and more! It's time for a rootin', tootin' roundup starring fan-favorite cowgirl Jessie, her trusty steed, and the rest of the 18 colorful DUPLO pieces in this fun-filled preschool building set. Nuthin's more fun than LEGO, unless it's LEGO teamed up with Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3! Yee-hawww! Ages 2 to 5. Gender: Unisex Age: Child

Lego Duplo: Police Station #5602 $59.99 Protect LEGO Ville with the Police Station! Can you help the policeman catch the robber? Speed to the scene of the crime in the police car with working lights and siren! With help from your trusty police dog, you can collar the crook and drive him back to the Police Station’s jail. DUPLO pieces are colorful, safe and sturdy for younger hands. Includes police station, police car, 2 figures and a dog! The siren and light of the police car really works!.

LEGO: Duplo: The Pit Stop $49.99 Get prepped for a push to the finish against Francesco! The clock is counting down to race time when Lightning McQueen will face off against the super-fast Francesco. Take the team into the pit to prepare! Guido can check his tires while Fillmore tops off his fuel. Then it?s time to cheer him on! Features Lightning McQueen Guido Francesco and exclusive Fillmore Includes LEGO® DUPLO® bricks to build accessories and pit stop scenery Open and close the garage doors! Get Lightning McQueen ready to race! DUPLO products are fun and safe for younger hands Measures over 13? (33cm) wide and 6? (15cm) tall Cars all measure over 3? (7cm) long and 2? (5cm) tall Fuel pump measures over 5? (12cm) tall and 2? (5cm) wide Type: Sets

LEGO DUPLO Large Green Building Plate 2304 $33.24 This LEGO DUPLO building block play set features a large green building plate for hours of imaginative play. This play set also features a durable plastic construction and is compatible with other DUPLO blocks sets.Brand: LEGOName: DUPLO Large Green Building PlateModel: 2304Materials: PlasticColors: GreenRecommended for children ages 2-5 years oldDimensions: 15 inches high x 15 inches wideIncludes: 1 piece

Lego - Ultimate Building Set by DUPLO $39.95 An ideal set for fun DUPLO consruction play: this new storage box with transparent lid includes a building plate, a chassis with wheels, a boy figure and transparent bricks. Type: Blocks & Building Sets Age: Child

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