When choosing toys, we often focus on how attractive, tactile, and engaging they are—these are undoubtedly important aspects. However, equally, if not more crucial, is children's toys safety. A safe toy is one that poses no risk to a child's health or well-being, allowing parents to confidently let their children use it during supervised or independent play.
What Are the Safety Requirements for Children's Toys?
Toy safety is verified through appropriate certifications. Safety in this context means the complete absence of risks to a child’s life and health. To mitigate potential hazards, strict international standards have been established, which manufacturers must adhere to when designing and producing children's products. These standards address design, material selection, and structural features. Compliance with these standards is ensured through rigorous testing—only after successfully passing all required tests can a product be deemed safe and awarded a certification to prove it.
What Does Toy Safety Look Like in Practice?
How can you be sure that a toy you're considering for your child meets safety standards and is suitable for play? Here are the key factors to consider:
- Materials must be non-toxic. Regardless of whether the toy is made of wood, fabric, or even plastic, it must be free of harmful substances that could negatively impact a child's health. Extra caution is needed when selecting toys for children under 3 years old, as they tend to mouth, chew, and lick objects during this developmental stage.
- Age-appropriate labeling is essential. Toys should include clear recommendations for the age group they are designed for. For instance, small parts should only be used by older children under adult supervision to minimize the choking hazard associated with mouthing behaviors in young children. Toys for children under 3 years old should not contain small detachable components.
- Mechanical safety ensures that the toy is durable, resistant to breakage during play, and free from sharp edges or surfaces that could cause injury.
- Chemical safety confirms that the product has undergone testing and does not contain harmful substances such as lead, phthalates, or other toxic compounds.
Additionally, toys must be designed in accordance with the motor skills and developmental abilities of the intended age group. For example, ladders or climbing frames should have rung spacing that aligns with safety standards for the child's age and physical capabilities.
To make a long story short, toy safety means that a child will not injure themselves, swallow the toy or its components, or be exposed to harmful substances while playing with it. By ensuring that toys meet these safety criteria, you can provide your child with a fun, enriching, and hazard-free play experience.
How to Choose a Safe Toy for Your Child?
If you think the following tips are overly cautious, they are not—after all, we’re talking about your child’s health, not just entertainment. So if you focus on children’s toys safety, you’re doing the right thing.
Pay Attention to the Packaging
The packaging should indicate what the product is made of, the recommended age group, and include clear and detailed assembly and installation instructions (for items like playgrounds, fitness equipment, etc.). It should also specify the presence of compliance standards such as CE, EN71, or ASTM (we’ll discuss more about certifications in more detail below).
Choose Natural Materials
Opt for materials like wood, wool, cotton, and other natural substances. Toys made of plastic, latex, or rubber are acceptable but must be non-toxic and free from strong or unpleasant odors. The product should also be sturdy and durable.
Consider Individual Needs
If your child has allergies to specific materials, avoid them. Once again, we recommend choosing toys that do not have strong smells.
Exploring Toy Safety with WoodandHearts Products
We offer safe toddler toys and ensure the safety of our entire range, from children’s toys to furniture and wooden playgrounds. Our products meet international quality and safety standards for children’s items, as evidenced by certifications like CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) and CE (Conformité Européenne).
What Do CPC and CE Mean?
CPC is a certificate which confirms compliance with safety requirements in the USA. It indicates that the product has undergone all necessary testing to meet the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) standards. Testing includes checking for chemical and toxic substances and ensuring physical safety. Before obtaining the certificate, the product is tested for durability, stability, and the absence of sharp edges or small parts unsuitable for toddlers. The testing process is transparent, and all test results and details are publicly accessible.
CE is a European safety standard that ensures toys comply with EN71 directives for toys and RoHS for the restriction of hazardous substances. This marking guarantees that the toy has no sharp edges, dangerous small parts, or toxic compounds in the materials used.
Examples
Montessori Climbing Set of 3: Triangle, Arch, and Ramp
This home gym includes a wooden triangle, arch, and double-sided ramp available in three sizes: large, standard, and small. Each size is tailored to specific age groups and designed to match their physical abilities. The dimensions, number of rungs, and spacing vary for each size, ensuring suitability for different developmental stages.
By choosing such a set, you can be confident it will help your child develop essential physical skills such as endurance, flexibility, strength, coordination, and motor skills. The set is made from natural wood and birch plywood, coated with hypoallergenic lacquer, with all elements meticulously sanded to avoid sharp edges or hazardous protrusions. Each component undergoes safety checks and carries the appropriate certification. You can find a detailed list of tested aspects and test reports on this page: Certificates.
Swedish Wall
This functional child fitness trainer is designed for active physical development, exercises, and games. Like the 3-piece set, the Swedish Wall is made from natural wood and birch plywood. The product has been tested not only for toxicity and durability but also for assembly quality, secure wall mounting, and adherence to the recommended maximum user weight.
Specifically, the maximum load for use is 60 kg (tested at up to 100 kg). This means you can safely use this trainer at home, in schools, or daycare centers for children of the appropriate age.
So, by choosing toys, sports equipment, or furniture that meet safety standards and directives, you protect your child from potential risks while ensuring peace of mind for yourself. Certified products are sturdy, eco-friendly, and free of elements a child could swallow or harm themselves with.
A Few Final Tips
Even the highest-quality products can break or wear down over time. Regularly inspect all items your child interacts with, including toys and equipment. Check for loose or broken parts, cracks, or sharp splinters. Pay attention to how your child plays, and intervene calmly but firmly if risky behavior occurs (e.g., jumping from high surfaces without a gymnastics mat).
These precautions will help you ensure both the quality and the absolute safety of your child’s playtime!