A few thousand children exchanged toy swords, rifles and even real knives for football and basketball equipment, in a government campaign, The News website reports . A local official in the state of Nuevo Leon, Patricia Salazar Marroquin, says it will help promote a culture of peace and teach kids about the negative symbolism of violent toys. "These actions remove the incentive for the use of violent games and promote family time," Salazar Marroquin says. Yo-yos, jacks, spinning tops and Lego are being given out to promote learning.