Sweatshops and Child Labor- Good Companies: Toys

Introduction
Sweatshops & Child Labor
What Can We Do
Responsible Shopping
Good Companies
Sources & Resources

Good Companies - Toys

	Balafairtrade Includes wooden toys and puppets and dolls. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade policies.
	Down to Earth Toys A great collection of wooden and natural toys. More than 90% of their toys are made in the U.S.A. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade policies.
	Global Exchange Fairtrade online store Handmade dolls from around the globe and toys that are educational, fun and creative. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade policies.
	KidBean Vegan company selling sweatshop-free toys. Includes arts and crafts, wooden toys and organic cotton stuffed toys and dolls. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade and environmental policies.
	Mama's Earth Organic, recycled, earth friendly, fun and stimulating toys. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade policies and click here to read more about this company's environmental policies.
	Natures Crib Natural wood toys with a safe non-toxic finish and organic toys made with organic cotton. Includes rattles, trucks, block sets, train sets and organic toy dolls. Click here to read more about this company's environmental policies. This company assured me that "We feel strongly about offering products that are not only environmentally safe but that are produced under fair labor practices as well. All of the products we carry are both eco-friendly and produced under fair labor conditions.".
	North Star Toys Quality non-toxic wooden toys and puzzles. North Star Toys is a family business. They assured me that they "design, manufacture and market our toys" and "we do not have our toys manufactured with sweatshop labor".
	Nova Natural Toys & Crafts Finely crafted toys that inspire imaginative play. Includes games, dolls, dollhouses, activity toys, arts and crafts and more. This company assured me that "We do our very best to make sure our suppliers are using fair labor practices and are not using sweatshop labor.".
	Peapods Includes natural infant toys, toddler toys, pretend play toys, solid maple easels, dollhouses, kitchen play toys, co-operative games. Since there is no international fair trade organization or fair labor accreditation process for toys or baby products, this company explained to me that they've "had to make some of our own decisions and judgments about where to buy our toys and which manufacturers to trust in order to make sure that we are promoting fair labor.". They "seek to reduce the number of toys we sell that are made in China in favor of American, European, Thai, Canadian, or other countries where we feel the likelihood of fair labor standards is greatest. One of our biggest suppliers is Plan Toys, for example, which are made in Thailand from recycled wood and are one of few toy companies who are accredited for their fair labor standards.". They also "seek to buy from as many small North American workshops as possible, where we actually know the people who are making our toys. BEKA and Fairy Finery, two Minnesota toymakers, are examples of this.". They did caution me that they "do carry toys made in China so that we can provide lower-cost toys that people can afford. Not every product made in China is made in a sweatshop, but we are not comfortable with our inability to fully understand manufacturing conditions in China.". Therefore "our goal is to reduce each year the amount of Chinese-made toys we sell". They also stated that "we do not import products from third-world countries without assurances that they are made under fair labor conditions. Maya Wrap slings are an example of this, where the owner of Maya Wrap has been very careful and personally involved in making sure that she is not exploiting the Guatemalan women who make her slings.".
	Roots and Wisdom Waldorf dolls, natural wooden toys, board games, wooden musical instruments, art, craft & Waldorf school supplies and more. This company informed me that "Most of our products that we carry are made in Germany. Our dolls are by Kathe Kruse, and most of our wooden toys are by Selecta who are also a German company. Our art supplies are also from German manufacturers. Our homeschool supplies and books are produced in America. All of these are Living wage fair producers no sweatshop.". This company did caution me that "The only company whose products may be somewhat questionable is Maxim Enterprise. They are an American owned company who has all of their products produced in China. Supposedly they are a fair company that provides a living wage, but I can not say 100% for sure that they are truly living up to that as I have not seen enough documentation.". Further I was informed that "We strive to be a very conscious company and not support companies that use sweatshop labor, pay less than a fair living wage, use products that are directly derived from petroleum, or are made by means that are harmful to the environment.".
	Rosie Hippo's Wooden toys, games, books & music to inspire creativity in children and parents. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade and environmental policies. This company informed me that "not all of our vendors are certified 'faire trade' and we have not traveled to each workshop, we do inquire into these things when we set up relationships with those whose products we provide". They assured me that "we don't carry products from sweat shops knowingly" but that "we have to have trust in those we work with that they are telling us the truth.". If you want more information about a particular product, please contact this company.
	Toys from the Heart Natural toys and crafts. Includes dolls, games, wooden toys, a doll house and more. This company informed me that "I do try my best to make sure that all the companies I deal with are environmentally responsible and employ fair trade practices, yes. If I find out otherwise I will no longer deal with them. I will not knowingly buy from any company that does not employ those practices.".
	Toy Spectrum Natural toys and gifts. Most products are from local German manufacturers whose policy it is to produce wooden toys in Germany. Their wood sources are from replenishable forests in Europe. The Waldorf dolls are made by a company in Brazil who support single parent mothers. About the Buddha Board which is made in China, the company informed me that "I have been in contact with the designer who has first hand knowledge that they have excellent working conditions and there are no child labour issues whatsoever.".
	Under the Nile Dolls, animals, vegetables and bears all stuffed with organic cotton. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade and environmental policies.
	Worldwide Child Fairly traded, natural, organic, non-violent toys, including Waldorf toys, arts & crafts, wooden toys, jewelry, fabrics, musical toys, dress-ups and children's books. Click here to read more about this company's fair trade policies.