Repairable with a sanding block is why they survive three children.
Canada does not compete on plastic. It competes on the small number of children's categories where durability is the product.
Wood and wool
Blocks, ride-ons, dollhouses, knit layers. Finished with food-safe oils and repairable with a sanding block, which is why they survive three children.
Books and games
Canadian publishing and board-game printing are genuinely domestic, bilingual by default, and the least seasonal gift on the list.
Skates, sticks, and the rink
The one category where Canadian-built is still a performance argument rather than a sentimental one.
Safety note
Ask for the CSA or Health Canada compliance statement. Reputable Canadian makers publish it; importers often cannot.