An alarming find!

I thought I was pretty careful in chosing toys n' such for my children this year. With the rediculous number of recalls from items from china, including but not limited to: Beef sold here, toys, etc, we all need to be diligent.

What I don't get is how they can continue to get away with this. I heard a story on the news last night about beef being recalled that was dated October 10 and they say, "If you have it, don't eat it, throw it out". HELLO! If anyone DID have meat dated OCTOBER 10, I think we would have ate it already! How can this continue to happen? I have seriously been considering going vegetarian because of this ongoing problem.

Now about toys, I guess America just doesn't make it's own toys anymore. I was very careful in my selections this year, though I did not read the labels. I shopped at my local PX thinking surely it would be made in the USA, nope! I bought my son a castle set with a dragon, etc, ... Made in China! Barbie: Made in China, Childrens watches from Wal-Mart: Made in China, Lite Brite: Made in China, Playdoh Creations Bucket: Made in China. Black spiderman Venom: Made in China.

So what did I buy that WASN'T made in China? A Coloring book: Made in Ashland, Ohio and guess what the crayons... Made in the USA! (crayola brand) Thank God for that at least! It would be pretty terrible if the coloring book was made here and the crayons in china!

Other things that you can find that are not made in china: Clothes. I purchased some Old Navy Clothes for christmas that were not made in china.

:) So good luck to everyone this year. It is slim pickin's for American Made products. I am not too worried about my China selections since my kids are old enough they do not put things into their mouths, but I would be extra careful if you have babies!

'Made In China' Toys: Is Your Family Safe?

Author: Sarah Corlett

Article:
With the massive number of recalled goods manufactured in China
this past year, there is certainly cause for concern. From pet
food to children's toys, the products found to be contaminated
or simply unsafe have hit families where they can truly be hurt.

A statistic that cannot be ignored is the fact that products
made in China account for 80% of all toys sold in the United
States, and a similar pattern holds true for the rest of the G8
countries - the richest nations in the world. All of these
countries maintain high government-enforced safety standards in
the manufacture of toys, but China is behind in such regulation
and they find themselves short-staffed to enforce the
regulations they do have. The fact of the matter is, as long as
large corporations such as Mattel look to shave dollars off of
their bottom line by having their manufacturing done in the
developing world, rather than within the G8 countries where
their toys are primarily sold, these sorts of problems will
continue to arise. The factories where these goods are being
produced use cheap components and even cheaper labour. I know
it's a cliché, but you do very often get what you pay for.

There are some people who have spoken up in defense of the
practice of farming out manufacturing jobs, as well as other
jobs requiring large numbers of workers (such as call centres),
to the developing world, saying that it reduces costs to the
consumers. Frankly, I believe that it only increases profits to
the companies that use these factories. However, when companies
cut costs, somebody somewhere has to pay them - and it seems
that it usually ends up being the shopper that is buying their
toys. We're seeing it now, in the massive recalls that have
probably only just begun.

That is not to say that China hasn't felt the sting of this
global controversy. The head of the Chinese toy factory at the
centre of the lead paint dispute took his own life in one of his
warehouses shortly after the world-wide August 2007 recalls that
brought so much negative attention to the country's
manufacturing industry. Mattel has announced stricter scrutiny
of its own products prior to their distribution and some members
of the government of the United States have called for
legislation to detain Chinese made products at customs for full
safety inspections before allowing them to enter their country.
With such a negative light shining on their manufacturing
industry and the Olympics coming to Beijing, the Chinese
government is likely to step up regulation in its manufacturing
industry to counteract the bad public relations that they have
received thus far. What that will mean to large companies like
Mattel is hard to predict at this point, but I think that a
higher cost for toys at the cash register is a small price to
pay for the safety of our children.

About the author:
Sarah Corlett runs the successful toy resource The Toy Maker:
www.the-toy-maker.co.uk

10 Classic Toys That Are the Perfect Choice for Children's Gifts

Author: Chris Robertson

Article:
Buying Christmas gifts for children is always a delight.
Invariably, the experience brings me back to my own childhood,
and I fondly remember the thrill and wonderment of seeing
beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts and discovering the
surprises that lay beneath the wrapping. Perhaps that's why
today, whether I'm shopping for boy's toys or girl's toys, I
almost always select the classics. Here are my top ten favorite
Christmas gift selections.



1. Monopoly. Some have called Monopoly the world's greatest
board game. I call it a classic. You can't help but become a
land baron when faced with a board full of properties waiting to
be purchased and you can't help but be delighted every time you
can collect rent or pass "Go." The classic Monopoly board game
makes a wonderful gift, as do the junior edition games and
special themed edition games.



2. Star Wars. It's been 30 years since George Lucas made history
with the "Star Wars," and its popularity has never waned. When I
am in the market for boy's toys, I always start with Star Wars
toys. Whether it's the Darth Vader Potato Head, a play light
saber, or the Lego Star Wars video game, you can't go wrong with
Luke and his friends.



3. Legos. What's a childhood without Legos? I love buying my
nieces and nephews sets of Lego bricks. With Duplo Legos for the
little tykes, everything from Harry Potter sets to Bionicles for
the older kids, and Technics for the serious builders, you can't
go wrong with Legos.



4. Bicycles. When I think back to my childhood, I remember the
freedom of getting together with my friends to ride our bikes
around the neighborhood. From explorations of nearby parks and
rivers to daylong expeditions to other parts of the city,
bicycles were central to our lives. When buying and giving bikes
as Christmas gifts, I feel like I'm giving a gift of joy and
independence.



5. Play-Doh. Childhood wouldn't be complete without Play-Doh.
Even the scent of Play-Doh transports me back to my youth. I
love giving Play-Doh as Christmas gifts, especially because
there are so many more options today. There are sets with
themes, such as Winnie the Pooh, Farm World, and Hairdresser,
that give kids hours of imaginative fun.



6. Jigsaw Puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles make perfect children's gifts
for kids of all ages. There are those made out of wood for
preschoolers, those with relatively few pieces for young
children, and those with several hundred pieces for those who
are experienced puzzle solvers. Plus, jigsaws are perfect rainy
day toys.



7. Roller Skates. Roller skates are great for exercise and for
increasing balance and coordination - and are a whole lot of
fun. Whether they're strap on skates for little tykes or inline
skates for tweens, roller skates are always a hit!



8. Dolls. When it comes to girl's toys, there's nothing more
classic than dolls. Of course, today's dolls are capable of
doing just about everything except going to school - but that
makes them all the more fun!



9. Magic Sets. Every boy goes through a phase where he wants to
learn magic. The magic sets I've bought over the years have
entertained and captivated boys, who love learning the skills
behind the tricks.



10. Scrabble. Perhaps because I recall spending hours and hours
playing this classic word game with my family, I love giving
Scrabble boards as Christmas gifts. Boys and girls both love the
game, which also comes in a junior edition, and I like knowing
that my gifts are both fun and educational.



It's as much fun for adults to give toys as is it for children
to receive them - especially when you can relive part of your
own childhood by giving toys that you enjoyed while you were
growing up.





About the author:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon
International, one of the worlds MOST popular href="http://www.majon.com">internet marketing companies.
For tips/information, click here: href="http://www.toytoyse.co.uk">toys Visit Majon's
Toys and
Games directory.

Little Tikes Offering The Finest In Toys

Author: Jeff Carlisle

Article:
When you see or hear Little Tikes, what comes to mind for you?
Little Tykes has been offering the finest in baby toys, toddler
toys, and preschool toys. Little Tykes toys teach kids, and they
are rugged enough to withstand any of the damage your little
ones might be able to cause.

Little Tikes is out to bring you the best offers on the products
you want to buy when you want to offer your child only the best.
For example, Little Tikes has manufactured a great deal of the
sturdy plastic play sets for the backyard, and the sandbox
equipment that is designed for backyard, home use.

They make developmental toys for infants and toddlers; these
things help with the cognitive function in your children and can
teach them critical problem solving skills at an age where it is
needed the most. Even things like the play kitchen sets that
actually work and have buttons (although they may not really
heat up), and the Membrane Keyboard (allows kids to learns the
ins and outs of the computer without risking your precious
keyboard) are available through Little Tikes, so they are not
all about big swing sets and play cars, but about cars to grow
with and education as well. Sales run seasonally, so depending
on the time of year you may run into any of a variety of Little
Tikes toys, especially on the internet. Little Tikes toy
manufacturers have even developed ride on toys, for the hands on
type of kid. These toys are available on a seasonal basis as
well, off and on through the year. The sale of this type of toy
goes up during the spring and summer months, of course.

For the younger boys, race car beds and truck beds have always
been a popular item, especially during the busy holiday season.
Little Tikes manufactures car and truck toddler beds and even
bath toys and other toys for infants and toddlers. Little Tikes
specializes in the safe and constructive entertainment of kids
from birth to at least preschool age; not only do they help to
create kids who are active, imaginative, and interested but it
helps to develop the muscles in the body and create strong
healthy kids. Little Tikes is also one of the safest ways you
can give your child the time of their lives as well, and is well
worth the money in safety, value, and utility.

Speaking of value, Little Tikes is always running some type of
sale on their website, so check it out and see what you might be
able to save on. The Little Tikes website has a spot where you
can order a catalog so you have something to browse through as
your child grows older, or if you are not comfortable ordering
online but still want the convenience of choosing from home.

About the author:
Jeff Carlisle is a freelance editor for Little Tikes Coupons.
Read more and find great deals and discounts on Little Tikes
Coupons products at href="http://www.CouponCart.com/LittleTikes/index.aspx">http://ww
w.CouponCart.com/LittleTikes/index.aspx.

Declutter Ideas For Wild And Crazy Toddlers

Author: Colleen Langenfeld

Article:
There's nothing like a small tornado living in your home to turn
even the most well-organized house upside down. Toddlers are
energy in motion and causing clutter is their birthright. I have
been blessed with four toddlers throughout the years and each
one of them was adept at making messes and causing chaos. They
were also completely void of any declutter skills.

Until they were trained. But we'll talk about that more below!

If you are tired of attempting to clean your home dozens of
times each day, here are some tried-and-true strategies for
living through the toddler period with grace and calm (and a
mostly decluttered home).

-- The best defense is a good offense.

Toddlers are humans developing at an astonishing rate. They are
remarkable creatures and possess a zest for living unmatched by
any other age. All that development requires a good deal of
stimulation. Toddlers are discovering the world around them each
and every minute and the smart parent places items in their
toddler's world that are safe, enjoyable and sturdy.

You'll have less discipline problems from the get-go if you
provide toddler-approved clutter and remove temptations a
toddler is not ready to handle properly. Which brings us to the
next point.

-- A home is first of all a place to live in, not just look at.

You may have beautiful collectibles, fine furniture and elegant
decor. But you didn't decorate your lovely home to please a
toddler and that's who is spending the most time there during
this season in your life. So go with the flow and put away those
collectibles, trade out those expensive decor items that are
placed down low in your rooms and consider slipcovers for your
fine furniture.

Here's the real deal: toddlerhood goes by almost as fast as a
toddler moves, so you'll have your lovely home back in no time.
However, you can never get back the memories of this precious
time.

Knowing this, ask yourself a question: what kind of memories do
you want? Remembering how exhausted you were each day from
chasing your pint-sized darlin' out of every corner every minute
or sweet memories of enjoying your growing baby explore the
world you are lovingly providing him.

Only you can decide.

-- Provide storage that can declutter naturally.

Consider getting a large decorative basket that can accommodate
your toddler's toys and then show her how to play the pick-up
game each and every time she is done playing in a room. In fact,
get a basket for each room your toddler spends time in.

No fussing is necessary, just pick up toys alongside her and
help her learn an important skill she'll use the rest of her
life.

The key here is consistency and patience. And here's something
to think about; if you want teenagers that help out around the
house, this is how you train them. When they're toddlers.

-- Change out the fun and keep the interest level high.

It's tempting as a parent to think that more and more toys will
keep a toddler busy for longer periods of time. However, all
that strategy accomplishes is lowering your bank account and
creating clutter in your home.

Instead opt for a reasonable amount of toys (less is usually
better), and rotate through them. For instance, put a handful of
toys in your decorative basket this week and put the other toys
in a box in a closet. Then every couple of weeks, get the box
out and rotate through the toys. You can also trade toys with
other parents to leverage the fun.

This is a simple concept. When toys go 'stale' they move into
the box or into another toddler's house for a mini-vacation and
when they return, those toys look remarkably brand new in the
eyes of your toddler.

So what's the bottom line? With a toddler in your home, you may
not be able to keep a spotless house at all times, but that
misses the point, doesn't it? Instead, use these declutter tips
to maintain a reasonably easy-to-care for environment that's
high on usability and rated tops in toddler satisfaction.

About the author:
Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and
helps other moms enjoy mothering more at
http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and grab easy href="http://www.paintedgold.com/Organize/declutter.html">declutt
er tips today.

Educational Infant Toys: Make Your Baby Happy and Smart

Author: Julie Peterson

Article:
Educational Infant Toys Combine Fun and Learning

All parents want the best for their child's development. They
also want their life to be as easy as possible since caring for
a baby or a toddler is one of the hardest things most people
will ever experience. Buying an educational infant toy is a
great way to incorporate fun and learning into your child's life
starting at an early age. Educational infant toys from famous
manufacturers such as Leap Frog, Fisher Price, and other infant
toy makers are very popular. When you begin with educational
infant toys and then toddler educational toys, you can make a
big impact on your child's mind while still giving them a way to
fun. Some research shows that stimulating your child as an
infant can make a difference in how well they learn later on.

Educational Infant Toys Versus Other Kinds of Toys

Toys can offer a lot more than mere entertainment; they are also
able to offer mental stimulation and education, and teach basic
motor skills. The earliest toys often consist simply of patterns
that the baby can look at. Later on, as the baby is able to
grasp and even sit up, the toys mix patterns with shapes and
textures. Later still, learning can move on to letter and number
recognition, counting, and even reading. Not only do the toys
teach the children, but they also demonstrate that learning is
an important value in your family.

Toy safety is always a concern, so make sure that all toys for
infants are large enough that they will not fit inside the tube
of a toilet paper roll.

Types of Educational Infant Toys

Patterned educational infant toys are great for babies from
newborn upwards. Some are black, white, and red, and made
specifically for the most basic form of infant stimulation. The
bright and contrasting colors and patterns provide interest for
your baby, and also create visual stimulation. In addition to
visual educational infant toys, there is also the clutching
variety, such as rattles and crib toys. Stacking rings are an
example of toys that are good for children around two years old.
When the child is older and is beginning to either walk or
crawl, toys made for this period are helpful, and have the added
benefit of rescuing items that you prefer would not be grasped.

Realistic-looking toys from pretend food to dolls, puppets, and
toy animals are often educational infant toys because your
children can learn a lot through role-playing games. Toys that
depict numbers and letters and offer brightly colored pictures
to associate with them help children get a boost on their
education. Art toys are also wonderful educational infant toys,
helping your children develop fine motor skills and perfect
their hand-eye coordination. Don't forget bath toys! Even while
getting clean, you can surround your child with educational
infant toys that keep them learning and entertained.

Educational Infant Toys Make Great Gifts

When children are constructively occupied, this is wonderful for
their parents. Consider purchasing educational infant toys for
your next friend or relative's baby shower, or as a just-because
present for all those busy mothers you know. It's a wonderful
gift to give the parents some precious time to get some
practical or desired things accomplished; and it's a wonderful
gift to help young children along on their lifetime of learning
when you give them not only fun, but educational infant toys.

About the author:
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