They seemed content to exchange their weapons for cars.

No, it was not some bizarre anecdote from a U.N. disarmament project. These were Costa Rican children exchanging toy guns and other children's gifts seen as promoting violence for more playful, peaceful Christmas gifts, such as toy cars, soccer balls or dolls.

The exchange was part of a campaign called “Peace, a treasure for humanity,” started Friday at the National Children's Hospital in San José, the daily Diario Extra reported.

Legislator Alexánder Mora, one of the leading voices behind the campaign, has also been trying to push forward bill that would regulate the sale of toys that mock guns and other weapons.

The next “farewell to arms” will take place Dec. 22 in the Southern Zone canton of Pérez Zeledón, and will be carried out every three months in a different part of the country, the organizers said.