Toy safety

As you search for safe and recommended baby toys, use these guidelines:

• Age-appropriateness: Check the age recommendations on each toy before you give it to your baby. Match all toys to your child’s age and ability.
• Size: If the toy or any of its removable pieces can fit inside an empty toilet-paper tube or choke-tube tester, they’re too small for a baby to play with safely. Strings that are longer than six inches pose a risk of strangulation.
• Sounds: If the toy makes sounds, be sure they’re gentle. Loud, abrasive, or abrupt sounds can startle a baby and damage her hearing.
• Construction: Check the toy for splinters, sharp edges, breakable parts, and removable pieces. If the toy uses batteries, make sure the batteries are completely inaccessible to the baby.
• The finish: If the toy is painted, be sure the paint is nontoxic. If the packaging doesn’t tell you, test the toy with a paint test kit from your local hardware or paint store.
• Washability: A toy that can be washed by hand or in the machine is less likely to spread germs.
• Packaging: Be sure to properly discard the toy’s packaging, including all wrapping, plastic bags, and ties.

Forbidden playthings

• plastic bags or wrappings
• balloons
• pet toys
• houseplants or cut flowers
• any small item that presents a choking hazard

Where to keep your baby’s toys

You can store your baby’s toys in bins, shelves, or chests but be sure what you choose isn’t a potential danger. Avoid conventional toy chests unless they have safety hinges, which keep the lid open at any angle and won’t let it slam shut on tiny fingers. The toy chest shouldn’t have a locking lid but should have air holes it for ventilation in case your little one crawls in.

Find out more about toy safety

American Academy of Pediatrics on toy recalls, including toys with lead
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Toy safety