Toy Safety Checklist for Babies and Toddlers

Most toys sold in the US are safe. The trouble usually comes from a few specific things: tiny pieces, button batteries, long strings, and products from unknown sellers that skipped the rules. This checklist covers what to look for before you buy for a baby or toddler, and what to do after.

1. Read the age label first

The age on the box is about safety and development, not how smart a child is. A toy marked 3+ might be easy for a bright 2-year-old to figure out, but it can still contain parts that are dangerous at that age.

Toys with small parts that are meant for older kids must carry a warning such as “CHOKING HAZARD: Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.” If you see that line, it’s not a gift for a baby or toddler, even if the rest of the box says otherwise.

2. Check for small parts

For toys made for children under 3, small parts are banned outright. The CPSC defines a small part as anything that fits completely inside a test cylinder 2.25 inches long and 1.25 inches wide, which is roughly the size of a young child’s throat.

At home, a toilet paper tube makes a rough check. It’s a little wider than the official cylinder, so it errs on the safe side. If a toy or any piece of it slides inside, keep it away from children under 3.

Don’t stop at the pieces in the box. Look for parts that could break off with chewing or throwing, like the eyes on a stuffed animal, wheels on a car, or caps on markers. And keep an eye on older siblings’ toys. Building sets and craft kits are a common way small parts end up on the playroom floor.

3. Look closely at button batteries

Coin-sized lithium batteries are one of the most serious hazards in a home with young kids. The CPSC counted 27 deaths and an estimated 54,300 emergency room visits linked to swallowed or inserted button and coin batteries from 2011 through 2021. A swallowed battery can cause severe internal burns within hours.

• Choose toys where the battery compartment is closed with a screw.
• Store spare batteries up high, and recycle used ones right away. Dead batteries can still cause injury.
• Remember the non-toys too: remotes, key fobs, musical greeting cards, and flameless candles often use the same batteries.
• If you think a child swallowed a battery, go to the emergency room immediately. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 on the way.

4. Watch for magnets

Small, strong magnets can stick together through the walls of the intestines if a child swallows more than one. If a toy has magnets, they should be sealed inside the plastic or fabric with no way to pop them out. Keep adult magnet sets and fridge magnets with small pieces out of reach.

5. Skip long strings, cords, and teething jewelry

Several pull-string teething toys were recalled in 2026 because the silicone strings were long enough to reach the back of a baby’s throat. As a rule, avoid strings and cords on baby toys, and remove ribbons and gift tags before handing over a present.

Teething necklaces and bracelets are also worth skipping. The FDA has warned that they can cause choking and strangulation.

6. Keep soft toys out of the crib

Stuffed animals, plush rattles, and soft books are fine for supervised play, but babies under 12 months should sleep on a firm, flat surface with nothing else in the crib. Save the cuddly gifts for awake time.

7. Be careful with unknown online sellers

A pattern stands out in this year’s recalls: many of the recalled baby products, including teething toys, baby loungers, infant walkers, and play mats, were off-brand items sold through Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop. That doesn’t mean everything on those sites is unsafe, but it does mean the seller matters.

• Buy from the brand’s own store or a listing sold by the retailer itself.
• Be wary of brand names you can’t find anywhere else, and of prices that seem too low.
• Skip products that make big safety claims with no details behind them.

8. Check for recalls before and after you buy

Search the brand and product name at CPSC.gov/Recalls before you buy. After it’s in your home, fill out the registration card or register online so the company can reach you if there’s a recall. You can also sign up for CPSC recall emails, and report a problem you’ve had with a product at SaferProducts.gov.

How we use this checklist

Every baby and toddler pick on Giftchants goes through these checks before it’s listed, and we recheck recalls each month. You can read more about how we pick.

This article is general safety information, not medical advice. If you’re worried a child has swallowed something, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get emergency care.

Last updated November 2026.