The Search for American-made Toys
By Jeffrey Page
I went out to buy some toys for Christmas and Hanukkah, determined to spend my money on gifts manufactured here in the United States. What better show of patriotism, of concern for the economy, of wishing to support up-against-it American workers during these wretched times?
I visited toy stores in New Paltz, Middletown and Warwick, plus a gift shop in Warwick with a large toy section. Conclusion: If you want to buy American be prepared to spend time searching for domestic toys and to pay a little more.
Here’s what you’re up against. Take a careful look at the fine print on the labels fastened to almost every toy you pick up and you find the inevitable “Made in China” or to lesser degrees “Made in Thailand,” “Made in Vietnam,” and made in scores of other places. It seems that the toys we give our children are manufactured just about everywhere except where they live. There are exceptions of course, but China for the most part seems to rule the American toy trade.
I came across a Disneyfied stuffed Winnie the Pooh doll; made in China. A Fisher Price musical gym; made in China. I found something called the “original” Rubber Duck. It was made in Spain. There was an erector set manufactured in China for a French firm. A line of toys connected with Thomas the talking locomotive, some Crayola products, and Legos are all made in China. So is an American flag. I came across Warwick t-shirts made in Honduras and Haiti.
I saw a Monopoly set that was made here but with dice and player tokens manufactured overseas, and I found a jigsaw puzzle map of the United States and Canada that was made in Germany.
Of course, not everything is imported. Here’s a selection of some American-made toys I came across in short visits to the toy stores and gift shop.
Newhard’s in Warwick, Enchanted Toys in New Paltz, and the Toy Chest in Warwick carry the Green Toys line, which is based in Mill Valley, Calif. This is a collection of fire trucks, dump trucks, flatbed trucks and tugboats, all big and colorful, and made of recycled materials (mostly used milk jugs). Not only are these trucks eco-friendly, but a sales person told me they’re virtually indestructible.
The Toy Chest carries basic musical instruments (triangle, ocarina, drums, rhythm sticks, etc.) made by an outfit called First Note of Kirkland, Wash.
Newhard’s sells several items made in this country. These include several solid wooden pull toys manufactured by Mapleland in Middlebury, Vt., plus attractively packaged sets of blocks made by Uncle Goose of Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Toys R Us store in Middletown was awash in foreign made toys and games thought it also had a large selection of jigsaw puzzles made in the United States.
Sales people in the three smaller stores agreed that price is the major factor in their stocking mostly foreign-made toys, which generally are cheaper than domestic products. For example, an amusing solid maple giraffe on wheels made in the United States was available for $35, a stiff price for what is essentially a pull toy.
But in fact, American-made toys are not always more expensive. For example, for $27.95 you can buy Dado Cubes (a colorful building block set that seems to defy gravity) made here in the U.S.A., or for $32.95 you can buy Arx, (a colorful building block set that seems to defy gravity) made in China.
Additionally, the sales people at the three smaller stores said the reason you don’t encounter many American made toys is because they’re difficult to find. However, a number of internet sites focus on such products. Two such sources are madeinusaforever.com and fatbraintoys.com.
What has been your experience in shopping for holiday toys and games?
December 13th, 2012 at 8:36 am
The Bruderhof in Tillson, just off Rt. 32 going toward New Paltz, has a delightful toy store. They make their own wooden products. No need to worry about the toxins that may be making their way into foreign goods from countries who have different environmental standards.
So glad for this piece since I’m thinking about a somewhat “green” baby shower for my daughter Alexis. Happy Holidays!
December 13th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Though I haven’t lived in New York for more than ten years now (Yikes”), I am sitting here nodding over the suggestion of Bruderhof in Tillson, made by my good friend, Jo. That place – but not the name – came to mind as I read your piece, Jeff. And, what a joy, to be shopping for your granddaughter for her first Hannukah and Christmas holidays! Enjoy it all!
Best,
Jean and John
December 13th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
While they may not make ideal Christmas or other holiday gifts, my kids loved my pots and pans when they were toddlers. (Made by Revere, then in Rome, N.Y.) My son’s favorite toy was the egg beater. By age 4 he was fascinated by old engine parts and had an entire old Chevrolet exhaust system in his closet. (Fourteen years later, he could take an entire car apart and rebuild it.) When my granddaughter was a baby, I would give her my set of measuring spoons to occupy her. Of course by now I suppose all those items come from China. I think kids like real things – things made of wood, metal, cotton, wool, rubber, paper…. Kids today must think everything is made of plastic. They’re surrounded by it, and most of it comes from other countries.
December 13th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Hi Lee, If I remember correctly, the only thing I ever took apart was my father’s alarm clock. This after I saw him doing his own repairs on an early TV set. Results: The TV worked better; the clock went in the garbage.
Best holiday wishes,
Jeff
December 16th, 2012 at 10:19 am
I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed following your “search” and appreciate all your time spent, literately seeking out the American made toys. Although I know live in Ct, I frequent Warwick where I lived for 22 years and I knew Michael would make sure his “Newhards” had some for purchase. My only disappointment is that price does dictate so often for so many of us and it can be challenging.
thanks!