Tips on Toys
ID
350-063
Choosing Safe Toys for Children Aged Birth to 12 Years
Injury prevention and your kids - the biggest threat to the health of children over age one is not some dread disease. It is accidental injury. More children are seriously hurt or killed by accidental injuries than by anything else. And many childhood injuries can be prevented by parents who know how. You already care enough to do everything possible to protect your children. Protecting them from injuries is a very important way you can safeguard their health. This publication is one of a series that helps parents prevent childhood injuries.

Toys cause many preventable injuries. Tips on Toys will help you decide just which toys are safe for your children as they grow. Take a few minutes to look over the toys you already have, and keep these guidelines in mind when you buy new ones.
The suggestions made in this publication are based on national information about the kinds of toys most often involved in accidents. Most of this information was gathered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the checklist was developed under funding from U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Up to 1 year
Age Group
Awareness of sound, motion, touch & color
Hand to mouth curiosity.
(teach the early walker not to walk or run with toys in his mouth).
- Need constant supervision during play.
Safe Toys
Unbreakable large-end rattles.
Squeak toys with molded in noise-maker.
Washable dolls and stuffed animals with bright embroidered features.
Brightly colored objects hanging in view (mobile, etc.) out of reach and with cords less than 12" long.
Brightly colored cloth or rubber balls with textured surface to grasp.
Unbreakable cups and smooth objects that can be chewed.
- Brightly colored beads on a strong cord less than 10" long.
Dangerous Toys
Rattles with ends smaller than 13/8" in diameter.
Those with small enough to swallow or with removable parts that are sharp or could be swallowed.
Those with poisonous paint, or cords over 1 2" long.
- Stuffed animals with glass or button eyes.
1 to 2 years
Age Group
Time of reckless mobility.
Hand to mouth testing.
Very curious.
- Needs extremely close supervision during play.
Safe Toys
Blocks with rounded corners.
Push-pull toys.
Books with cloth or stiff pasteboard pages.
Non-glass mirrors.
- Take apart toys with large pieces.
Dangerous Toys
Same as above PLUS toys of older children that mobility puts within the toddler's reach
- Toys with strings over 12" long
2 to 3 years
Age Group
Development of language and more curiosity
- Beginning age of most toy related injuries at age 2
Safe Toys
Peg boards with large pieces
Wooden animals
Large crayons
Low rocking horse
Dustless chalk and chalkboard
Simple musical instruments
Simple jigsaw puzzles with large pieces
Blocks with numbers and letters
Toys that aid color, size and shape identification
- Sturdy cars and riding toys ( wagons, riding toys, tricycle for 2 1/2 year olds at earliest)
Dangerous Toys
Those with sharp edges or easily breakable material
Toys with small removable parts or poisonous paints
Marbles, beads and coins
Electrical toys
Metal toys with unfinished slots, holes or edges that can cut
Lead soldiers
Tricycles with seats over 12" high (not for children under 2 1/2 years)
- Riding toys used in hilly areas or inclined driveways
3 to 4 years
Age Group
Imagination and imitation combined with vigorous physical activity
- Ending age of most toy related injuries at 4 years
Safe Toys
Those in 2-3 year category plus
Toy telephones
Metal tea set
Dolls with wrap-around clothing
Construction sets with easily connecting large pieces
Rugged key-wound or friction-operated toys
Blunt scissors
Lacing cards
Simple card and board games
Non-electrical trains
Selected toys with small parts
- Tricycles with low-slung seats, used off roadways
Dangerous Toys
Highly flammable costumes
Electrical toys
Shooting toys that endanger eyes
Poorly balanced tricycles or riding toys
Lead soldiers
Riding toys in hilly areas or inclined driveways
Tricycles that take child too far from supervision
- Broken toys
4 to 6 years
Age Group
Will develop cooperative social play. Improve physical coordination
- Begins era of bicycle related injuries
Safe Toys
Pail and shovel
Building blocks
More advanced construction sets
Cut-out paper dolls, hand and finger puppets Model ing clay
Paints and paint books
Non-electrical trains, battery operated toys
Kites
Stencils, activity books and picture books
More demanding board and card games
Simple musical instruments
Small sports equipment
Selected toys with small parts
- Bicycle with 20" wheel and training wheels, for 4-7 year olds
Dangerous Toys
Poisonous or oil-based paint sets
Flammable costumes or ones with material to the floor
Kites made of electrically conductible aluminized polyester film
Electrical toys, unless battery operated
Shooting toys and darts with pointed tips
Poorly-balanced tricycles or wagons
Bicycle poorly maintained
Bicycle used on roadways
Bicycle too large for child
Fireworks of any kind
- Lawn darts
6 to 8 years
Age Group
Further cooperative and social play
- Physical and intellectual interests. May have renewed interest in playing alone
Safe Toys
Kites
Battery-powered electrical toys with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approval
Puppets and puppet theatre
Complicated jigsaw puzzles
Games requiring some reading
Well constructed, lightweight tool sets
Dolls and doll equipment
Flower press
Set demonstrating simple principles of sci- ence. (Magnets & magnifiers, etc.)
Equipment for playing bank, store, filling station, etc.
- Bicycle with 24" wheel for 7-10 year olds
Dangerous Toys
Kites made of electrically conductible aluminized polyester film
Poorly made sports equipment
Shooting toys and toys with loud noises (cap guns, etc.)
Fireworks of any kind
Electrical toys run on household current
Lawn darts
- Broken toys
8 to 12 years
Age Group
- Art, Craft, Building and Science interests
Safe Toys
Electrical toys with UL approval used on household current only after you have explained how to use toy and electrical plug and outlets
Bicycle with 26" wheel for kids over 10
Other sidewalk vehicles, skates, skateboards, etc.
Well-constructed sports equipment
Put together models
Chemistry and other science kits
Hobby and Arts and Crafts kits and materials
- Some projectile toys (dart guns, etc.)
Dangerous Toys
Lawn darts
Fireworks of any kind
Sharp-edged tools
Poorly constructed sports equipment
B-B Guns/Air Rifles, until child understands gun safety
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law
Publication Date
April 3, 2019