Made anywhere but China?

[Grrlscout]

My best friend has a ban on toys and books made in China. I'm pulling my hair out trying to find toys and books appropriate for a five-month old. It was easy enough for me to get around the China Ban before, as I could knit something. She's up to her eyeballs with cardis, snugglies and blankets, and honestly, I'd like to give the baby patterns and tiny knitting pins a break.

I've just returned from the shops in town and it was like something out of a comedy sketch. Everything I picked up in the 6-month age range, literally everything, is made in China.

Any suggestions? I'm on a bit of a mission about this now, so even if it isn't an online shop, I'd be interested.

haba wooden toys

Good for you. I can't help you with baby clothes but I also try to not buy anything from China. Its very hard and sometimes you have to give in.

haba

Pintoys and Plantoys are made in Thailand
Haba is german as is Selecta Spielzeug, all do nice wooden toys.

I thought it would be tough, but I had no idea it would be this hard!

If it was my kid I was buying for, I could make the compromise, but as it is her kid, I'm trying to respect her rules.

I love her to bits, and I agree with her reasons. It's hard to be a doting "auntie" from afar and not send gifts. (she lives in the US)

Made in Greece
www.chelona.net/

Hey, thanks for the Haba links.

She's only banning China, but I'm including anything in the developing world that isn't fair trade.

Cool! thanks Shitemum. (nickname made me snort coffee onto the monitor, btw! )

sorry!
dont think the Thailand ones are fairtrade but they seem fairly right-on
How about a toy off Etsy?

Hey, who were you to know I'm a nutter like that? hides Economic Justice or Die tattoo on arm

What's Etsy?

no, sorry about the coffee!
{goes to get link for etsy}

etsy

maybe not to everyone's taste but definately original!

check out the 'children' section too for cute clothes

Have you looked at ethical superstore's website?

starchild shoes

nice people this company

cute fairtrade soft toys

lanka kade also have lovely fairtrade toys

Message withdrawn

Thanks for this, all of you - some really great sites out there!.

I saw the puppets in the ethicalsuperstore, Sophy, but I'm trying to get away from anything knitted for a while. After the recent glut, I think we've all maxxed out on anything involving knitting wool until next winter.

Thanks for the etsy site link, (and the laugh) not-so-Shitemum. I love the green eyestalk and the stripey toys. And the woodland beasts! I may just order some for me while I'm at it. Stressful job means I need frustration toys at my desk. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Danae, I tried to find laughingbeartoys and couldn't find it. Google comes up with laboratories instead. I don't think my best friend is ready for that kind of cleanup just yet. Not to mention the shipping would be hell...

Message withdrawn

Thanks Danae.

I'm going to have to ration my time on the sites, as I could very easily spend all my money on them instead of on a visit this summer.

www.ethicalbabe.com has a fantastic range of natural wooden toys and arts & crafts www.ethicalbabe.com/shopc473778646

They cater for ages 3 months + to 5years old, with a great choice of educational and traditional wooden toys, moving wooden toys for pre-walkers/toddlers, role playing wooden toys for 3yrs+, wooden musical sets, and arts and crafts.

All their toys are made from sustainable wood and paints are non toxic and completely safe for babies. They use suppliers such as Lanka Kade, Pintoy etc.., reputed for producing ethical toys and good quality. Plus their prices aren't expensive.