Safe Gifts Can Be Fun Gifts Too

By: Madeline Ward

Posted: 12/10/07

With all the toy recalls, it can be hard for students to know what to give their younger siblings or relatives. Major companies like Hasbro have received fines after toys needed to be recalled. The toys had problems as serious as being tainted with lead paint and as minor as missing parts. The notions of toy companies choosing cheap parts over quality has caused many to wonder if despite the recalls, children will still be safe.

In hopes of putting some of these fears to rest, here is a guide to buying safer toys this holiday season:

Made in … America?

Although few toys continue to actually be made in America, this doesn't mean that buying locally is impossible. On the contrary, there is as thriving a toy industry as there has ever been, and all of it generally free from safety recalls.

Web sites like toysmadeinamerica.com, usmadetoys.com and roytoy.com have capitalized on the fear of imported toys by showcasing their wares. Most of the toys are wooden, such as toy trains, cards or Lincoln Logs. Others include dolls and stuffed animals, like Vermont teddy bears. The prices are generally less than $20.

Though items like handmade toys can command a higher price, they are more durable and longer lasting than their cheaper counterparts.

Surprisingly, most Crayola crayons are still made in America and can be very exciting to any young artist. The average box of 96 crayons retails for around $6, so it's a cheap gift. Not all of them are made in America, so it's just a matter of checking the label. Play Doh is a good choice as well. Both encourage creativity and don't confine children to a pre-packaged way of play.

"About 10 years ago I was a toy designer," said Peter Millman, who is now a real estate agent with the ERA Covenant Realty group. He gave his perspective on the changing landscape of the industry. "I invented Touch Toons with a partner and worked on several other things. I added the ribbon to the Skip-It about 12 years ago and my toy agent sold it to Hasbro. I left the business because the age at which children stopped playing with toys got lower and lower. [Pre-teens] only want to play their tech gadgets now. That's why I'm in real estate now."

Millman went on to say that he recommends toys "with learning value" that could get kids excited about playing again. "Kids should be moving, exploring and creating, not in front of a computer," Millman said.

Bikes, Trikes and Skateboards

With the frenzy over electronics, many of the good, old-fashioned outdoor toys are being forgotten. Skateboards are the epitome of cool for many youngsters and are a good way for budding couch potatoes to get off the sofa. A skateboard may be little high in price for some, but ultimately it gets kids outside.

Bikes are another good option. These can be a long-term investment, depending on the age of the child; bikes can last for upwards of five to seven years. A bike also provides children with much-needed mobility, giving them a sense of freedom and allowing them to explore their neighborhoods.

It is true that some of the bikes are assembled in China, but they have not been subjected to recalls and are less likely to be dangerous because of higher quality standards. Most major bicycle manufacturers label old enough to ride a tricycle, The Little Tikes Company, which makes toys like primary-colored playhouses and wagons, is a safe bet. Unlike other major companies, they have not had a recall from contaminated toys.

Cash or Credit

Cash may seem like a strange option, but parents have been doing it for years with older children.

"I'm very worried how their [my grandchildren's] parents will work it out," said Bethany Heel, a systems analyst for Student Affairs on her children's gift giving habits. "I won't be buying my grandchildren any gifts … I give them cash. Cash has always been a safe gift. I wouldn't know what to give them if I did get gifts."

A $10 or $20 gift card to a kid's favorite store can guarantee that they get what they want and make them feel grown up since they are in charge of the decision. It is also is a chance to teach them how to spend their money wisely.

Video Games

Despite some people's misgivings many parents feel more comfortable with their kids having the "must-have" games.

"Both boys, one's four and the other is six, are getting Game Boys," said Justine Hill, a programming assistant for the political science department, of her two sons. "I'm not worried. A lot of the recalls are out of stores, and I'm not going to be buying something dangerous. I just bought my sons the games to go with it."

Popular gaming systems this year include Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and the more affordable Game Boy. For those who are a little low on cash, buying older gaming systems can be a good alternative. When it comes to playing games, young kids aren't generally that picky. Teenagers however, will notice the difference, so it's best to get the newer games for them.

"We're just getting them video games," said Beth Wesalow, a 7th-semester journalism and business double major, about the kinds of gifts she was planning to buy her relatives. "It's all they play now."

Outside the Box

Thinking outside the box is a cliché that is tossed around too often, but it's what has to be done when it comes to giving children gifts. The best way to give a gift is to assess the child's interests - go beyond what they say when they sit on Santa's lap.

The gift of guitar lessons or a swimming class can be just as good as anything from Toys 'R Us. They can help children learn and explore their passions, perhaps even help them choose what they want to do with the rest of their lives.

Taking children on a trip to a theme park or promising them tickets to a game or a Broadway show they want to see can have the same effect. Instead of giving something material and disposable, students can give their younger siblings memories that will last a lifetime.

Taking a responsible child to adopt a cat or dog from the pound can be the greatest gift of all. Many animal shelters also carry exotic and small animals such as parakeets, ferrets or even lizards.

The important thing is to be creative and cautious.

"I think that students and parents need to make their own decision," said UConn economics professor Thomas Micelli. "The information is out there, and people should make their own judgments."

Contact Madeline Ward at
Madeline.Ward@UConn.edu.