Best American Made Toys

After all of the Chinese toy recalls it can be difficult to know what toys tobuy for your children. After all, most kids have gotten used to the cheaply made, plastic remote control toys that are broken before the box it came in is taken to the landfill.

The classic toys that have stood the test of time are still around, and actually, have been added to. The manufacturers have quietly stayed in business by consistently creating, making and selling safe, quality products that children reach for again and again. They are not cheap. But neither are your children.

1. The Rocky Color Cone is a wooden version of the rock-a-stack. It comes in brightly painted (with nontoxic paint) colors and lasts forever because it is natural, smooth wood.

2.Lauri Smart Shapes and Pegs Geometric shapes and peg-like stackers keep toddlers busy with colors, shapes and imaginative play. Helps with early math, reading and reasoning skills.

3. Little Tikes- Made in the United States and this stuff lasts through more than one child. Shown is a stroller but they have hundreds of items in all price ranges at their site.

4.Heirloom Wooden toys is one of those places you spend ALOT of online time at. Incredible toys. Brilliant toys. My favorites for toddlers include the wooden kitchen (expensive) and the wooden sushi (not expensive).

5. Our Green House has lots of cool things, from Fair Trade to Made int he USA. Remember Sock Monkeys? If you don't have time to make one yourself this one is cute.

6. Ping Pong Catapult This is a wooden catapult that launches the ping pong far enough to be fun but not with enough force to break anything or hurt anyone.

7. Princess and the Pea Game is a sweet stacking game with colorful fabric. 2-4 children take turns piling up wobbly mattresses. Ages 3 and up.

8. Magnetic Playsets- Remember how much fun Color-forms were? At least until they didn't stick anymore? Well these magnetic play sets offer all the fun with detailed designs and magnetic pieces and board. Great for car trips and quiet times.

Kids age 6-12 are sometimes hard to buy for because they have such definite likes and dislikes. Here are some suggestions.

1. K'nex are a cool building toy that is, with the exception of motorized parts, made int he United States. The come in all price ranges .

2. Legos are not made in the United States but they are made in Denmark with dyed plastic. There is no finish to wear off and European countries have even stricter toy regulations that the States! They are a long time favorite and safe. Legos come in all price ranges.

3. Uncle Wiggly Game Colorful game patterned after the books. Great game to help with reading skills.

4. Christmas ABC Book uses images for the 1880s to the 1970s. Beautiful vintage artwork.

5.Wren Purse Sewing Kit. This site has many different felt sewing projects that are very imaginative and colorful. A great introduction to needlecraft for the young girl.

6. A really cool idea is OneShare Stocks for kids. Give your kids one share of stock in Disney, Dreamworks or a number of other companies.

7.Herd Your Horses Game- just about every girl in this age group is in love with the idea of a horse. This game contains huge amounts of information about horses, it is fun,and the artwork is beautiful

8. Brew You Own Rootbeer- Fun kit that teaches kids about carbonation and how it works.

Remember, kids of this age often enjoy creative pursuits, art, crafts, and making things.

It is better to buy one really quality gift than ten poorly made ones. We have gotten used to throw away toys but in days gone by toys were meant to be treasured for the length of childhood.