Safe toys

Letting children play with the items they see around them is a way of letting them explore their world. But it should be pointed out that toys are actually well regulated and must comply with set regulations, which is not the case for other items found in the home. The reason for this is simple – toys are meant to be safe for children. When you buy (or receive) new toys that are bought within the EU, they must be CE marked. The CE mark on toys is confirmation of conformity with the safety requirements applicable within the EU, and a toy that isn’t CE marked may not be sold within the EU.

Stringent safety requirements on toys

In different countries, various agencies are assigned the task of checking that the toys available on the market are safe for children and compliant with the law (in Sweden, for example, this is done by the Swedish Consumer Agency together with the Swedish Chemicals Agency and the Swedish National Electrical Safety Board). Whether it has to do with sizes and loose parts, chemicals in toys or the electrical part of everything that blinks and makes noises, there are clear guidelines designed to keep babies and children safe.

• is not dangerous due to e.g. sharp edges or points
• cannot be swallowed or risk choking (you can use a test cylinder for small items if you are unsure whether an item is big enough to be safe)
• does not contain any parts, cords, etc. that could become detached and get stuck in your child’s throat or around your child’s neck
• is not harmful to your child’s hearing

Second-hand toys

Buying toys at a second-hand store or a garage sale could be a good idea from a reuse perspective, but always check for the CE mark before you buy – for toys that were around prior to the introduction of CE marking, it may be best just to leave them in the store, or else buy them solely for decorative purposes. Another thing worth considering is that, while the passage of time may produce wonderfully soft children’s clothes, for toys it can instead entail wear and tear that makes the toys a little less safe.

Organic toys – non-toxic toys

While there are laws and regulations in place to make toys safe, there are also increasing demands from parents for non-toxic toys. These days, many toy companies are not only focused on safety but also on producing organic and non-toxic toys, to ensure they can offer the types of products demanded by parents.
When it comes to games and activities for slightly older children, it could be worth knowing that some recipes for edible play dough may contain a substantial amount of salt, which is not healthy if consumed in large quantities. You should also pay close attention to any paints or adhesives your child wants to use, to ensure you are buying products that are suitable for children.

YOU are more fun than any toy!

While it is good to think about toys and make sure that they are safe and appropriate for your child, don’t forget the most important thing: playing with YOU is still more fun than any toy! Nursery rhymes, children’s songs and finger games are always popular, and not only do they create wonderful family moments together, they are also good for your child’s language development. Looking at pictures and reading books is also fun, and even bathing can be a fun activity for your child if he or she is a little water lover. There are also lots of fun games and activities for which no toys are needed – as long as you have your imagination! And if there are times when you are a little short of ideas, we have gathered together some tips on fun games and activities for “kids” of all ages.

Three tips on organising toys

Perhaps the biggest challenge when it comes to all the toys you have at home is the question of how best to keep them organised. One large, deep toy box for everything is seldom easy to navigate when your child needs to find just the right toy, and it is therefore better to have several small boxes – ideally sorted by activity area (puzzles, reading, arts and crafts) – so that everything related to an activity is gathered in one and the same place. Here are some other smart tips on organising toys:

1. Label boxes and containers
   Make sure it is easy and exciting for your child to take out different things and put them away again when he or she has finished playing with them. This creates good habits that will serve your child well in life. Label boxes and containers so that your child knows where everything should be.
2. Put things away before taking out something new
   Follow the routines used at preschool when it comes to taking out and putting away toys. Help your child put the toys or the game back in the right place before he or she starts playing with something else. In this way, you avoid the need for a huge clean-up in the evening after a whole day of playing.
3. Remove some of your child’s toys for a while
   If your child has many toys, it can be good to remove some of them for a while and bring them out again at a later time. In this way, you preserve the novelty of your child’s toys and make them fun to play with again.

Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.