Hot Topic

December Hot Topic: Choosing Safe, Age-Appropriate Toys

When choosing toys for a child, it is important to consider the child’s abilities and interests, not just his age. The stated age guidelines on toys are a general reference; it is important to know what your child likes and chooses to do when they play. Not all children are interested in the same things, nor do they all have same abilities, even if they are the same age. Keep in mind that all children, particularly special-needs children, will develop at their own pace and in their own way. Try to choose toys that are interesting to them but not too hard for them to do now. If it’s too hard, the child will become frustrated, and playing with it will be a negative experience. But don’t think of this response as final – put the toy away for awhile, and try re-introducing it later.

Toy suggestions for different ages

Good Toys for Young Children
This website from the National Association for the Education of Young Children focuses on age-appropriate toys for children less than six years old, and gives some general safety guidelines.

Understanding Children: Toys
This site, published by Iowa State University Extension, names toys appropriate and inappropriate to seven broad age groupings, including safe toy storage – the dropping lid of a footlocker or toy chest can drop on a child’s head, neck or arms, causing injuries.

Which Toy for Which Child: A Consumer’s Guide for Selecting Suitable Toys Ages Birth Through Five
The Consumer Products Safety Commission offers this list of children’s abilities and interests by age group, with corresponding lists of appropriate toys. The lists are further segmented by type of play –active, manipulative, make-believe, creative and learning.

Which Toy for Which Child: A Consumer’s Guide for Selecting Suitable Toys Ages Six Through Twelve
Also from the Consumer Products Safety Commission, for the 5-12 age group.

Safety

Safety is always a consideration when choosing toys for children. There are many websites that offer toy safety guidelines, as well as sites that list recalled toys.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
A list of recent recalls of toys and equipment for children, listed by product type, manufacturer, or month recalled. Other types of consumer products recalled for safety reasons are also listed, in English and in Spanish.

US Government’s Umbrella Resource for Recalls
This website combines lists of products deemed unsafe, hazardous or defective by any of six federal government agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Categories include motor vehicles (child car safety seats), food and medicine. The list is searchable by product type and company. The US Government calls this a "one stop shop" for recalls. Information is provided in English and Spanish.

Toys and Childhood Lead Exposure
Many parents today are concerned about lead in manufactured toys. The Centers for Disease Control offers information about the risks of lead and tips to prevent lead exposure.

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