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Toys

Buying and Selling Preloved Toys

Children can lose interest in toys long before the items are worn out. Preloved toys can therefore offer good value for buyers and help sellers clear space while giving suitable items another life.

Toys still need careful checks. Missing parts, loose magnets, accessible batteries, damaged casings, recalls and incorrect age guidance can affect whether a toy is suitable for continued use.

This guide explains what buyers and sellers should check before a toy is listed, purchased, collected, posted or used.

Trusted UK Toy-Safety Links

Identify the Exact Toy

Before buying or selling, check:

Brand
Product name
Model or set number
Recommended age
Included pieces
Battery type where relevant
Approximate age of the product

Model or set information may appear on the packaging, base, battery compartment or instruction sheet.

Check Official Product Recalls

Use the official UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Search by:

Brand
Product name
Model or set number
Batch number
Product category

Do not sell, give away or use a recalled toy contrary to the official instructions.

Check Age Guidance

Age guidance may relate to:

Small parts
Magnets
Battery access
Complexity
Physical size
Strength or coordination needed

Do not assume a toy is suitable for a younger child simply because they appear interested in it.

Look for Small Parts

Inspect for:

Loose wheels
Buttons
Decorative pieces
Detachable accessories
Broken fragments
Small construction pieces

Check whether any part has become loose through wear or damage.

Check Magnets Carefully

Inspect every magnetic component. Do not use or sell a toy when a magnet is loose, missing, exposed or can be released from a cracked casing.

High-powered magnets can cause life-threatening internal injury if swallowed. Keep magnetic toys intended for older children away from babies and younger siblings.

If magnet swallowing is suspected, go straight to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance. Do not wait for symptoms. Use current Child Accident Prevention Trust magnet guidance.

Check Button Battery Compartments

Button batteries must not be accessible to children.

Check that:

The battery compartment closes fully
All screws or fixings are present
The cover is not cracked
No battery is loose, leaking, swollen or damaged
The exact replacement battery is used

Do not sell or use a toy or sound product with an insecure battery compartment.

If a child may have swallowed a button battery, go straight to A&E or call an ambulance. Do not wait for symptoms. Use current Child Accident Prevention Trust button-battery guidance.

Inspect Battery-Powered Toys

Check:

Battery compartment
Contacts
Switches and controls
Sounds, lights and movement
Signs of corrosion
Heat damage
Correct charger where relevant

Do not use or post damaged, swollen or leaking batteries.

Inspect the Toy’s Structure

Look for:

Cracks
Sharp edges
Broken hinges
Loose screws
Splintered wood
Exposed mechanisms
Damaged cords or straps

Do not list a toy as usable when damage affects safety or normal operation.

Check Completeness

For sets, games and puzzles, confirm:

Number of pieces
Characters or figures
Cards
Dice
Boards
Instructions
Accessories

Missing non-essential pieces should be disclosed clearly. Missing essential parts may make the toy unsuitable or significantly reduce its value.

Use Instructions Where Available

Instructions can help confirm:

Correct assembly
Age guidance
Battery requirements
Expected parts
Safe operation
Cleaning guidance

Use instructions for the exact model or set.

Clean Toys Appropriately

Follow manufacturer guidance where available.

Depending on the toy, suitable cleaning may involve:

Wiping hard surfaces
Hand washing removable fabric parts
Using a soft brush
Drying fully before storage

Do not soak electrical toys or use harsh chemicals that may damage finishes, labels or components.

Soft Toys

Check:

Seams
Eyes and decorations
Stuffing
Labels
Odours
Mould or dampness
Washing instructions

Do not sell or donate a soft toy with mould, contamination or loose components.

Wooden Toys

Check for:

Splinters
Cracks
Loose joints
Peeling finishes
Missing pieces

Do not make unverified claims about paint or finish safety.

Construction Toys

For construction sets:

Count important pieces where practical
Identify the set number
State whether instructions are included
Disclose substituted or missing pieces
Show the full contents in photographs

Small construction pieces may be unsuitable for younger children.

Puzzles and Board Games

Check:

All puzzle pieces
Board condition
Cards and tokens
Dice and counters
Instructions
Box condition

State clearly when a set is incomplete.

Ride-On Toys

Inspect:

Frame
Wheels
Steering
Seat
Handles
Weight limits
Brakes where present

Do not sell a ride-on toy with unstable steering, damaged wheels or structural cracks.

Outdoor Toys

Check for:

Weather damage
Rust
Cracks
Loose fixings
Sun fading
Missing anchors or supports

Large outdoor toys may require local collection and clear dismantling information.

Buying Toys Online

Before purchasing, check:

Age guidance
Exact model or set
Condition
Completeness
Battery requirements
Faults
Delivery or collection options

Ask for additional photographs when important parts are not visible.

Questions Buyers Should Ask

Is the toy complete?
Are all functions working?
Are there cracks or repairs?
Is the battery cover secure?
Are instructions included?
Are any magnets or small parts missing?
What is the exact model or set number?

Buying Toy Bundles

Bundles can offer good value when:

Most items are suitable for the child’s age
The condition is shown clearly
Sets are complete or missing pieces are disclosed
The buyer wants most of the items
The combined price is lower than buying individually

Selling Toys

A clear listing should include:

Brand
Product name
Model or set number
Age guidance
Condition
Included parts
Missing parts
Working features
Battery requirements
Faults and repairs
Delivery or collection details

Use Kidora’s Correct Condition Labels

Kidora currently uses:

New
Like New
Very Good
Good
Well Used

Select the closest condition and explain faults, wear and missing parts separately.

Photograph Toys Clearly

Include:

Full item
Front, back and sides
Age and model labels
Battery compartment
Controls and moving parts
All included accessories
Damage and repairs

Use natural light and a plain background.

Photograph Sets and Bundles

For a set or bundle:

Lay out all pieces
Take one complete group photograph
Photograph smaller groups
Show instructions and packaging
Show missing or damaged areas

Do not hide incomplete sets in a large pile.

Describe Working Features Honestly

State whether lights, sounds, movement and controls work.

Useful wording includes:

Tested and working
Partially working
Untested
Requires batteries not included
One function does not work

Do not state that a toy works when it has not been tested.

Price Toys Realistically

Consider:

Current retail price
Condition
Completeness
Brand or character
Demand
Original packaging
Working features
Comparable UK listings

A complete set usually has more value than an incomplete one.

Price Toy Bundles

Set a combined price below the total of all individual asking prices.

Remove broken or unsuitable toys rather than including them to make the bundle appear larger.

Consider Seasonal Demand

Demand may increase:

Before Christmas
Before birthdays
Before school holidays
In spring for outdoor toys

Seasonal demand may help an item sell more quickly but does not justify misleading pricing.

Use FREE Listings for Low-Value Toys

A FREE listing may suit:

Simple toys
Low-value bundles
Items needing quick collection
Complete toys with limited resale value

FREE items must still be safe, accurately described and suitable for reuse.

Packaging Toys

Before posting:

Secure loose parts
Protect fragile components
Use strong outer packaging
Prevent movement inside the parcel
Check battery restrictions
Use tracked delivery

Keep instructions and small parts in a labelled sealed bag.

Collection of Toys

For local collection:

Keep arrangements in Kidora messages
Have all pieces ready
Allow the buyer to inspect the toy
Demonstrate working features where practical
Mark the order as collected after handover

Buying and Selling Toys on Kidora

Parents can browse preloved toys listed by families across the UK on Kidora, including baby toys, puzzles, games, construction sets, books with play features, outdoor toys and complete toy bundles.

Sellers pay no selling fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee on paid purchases, shown before checkout.

Buyers can purchase individual toys, create bundles from the same seller or make an offer.

Parents can also list toys for £0 as FREE. FREE Kidora listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Clear photographs, exact age guidance, honest completeness information and visible faults help buyers make informed decisions.

A Toy Safety and Listing Checklist

Identify the exact toy or set
Check official recalls
Check age guidance
Inspect small parts and magnets
Check battery compartments
Confirm completeness
Test working features
Photograph all pieces and faults
Use the correct Kidora condition label
Package securely

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to buy preloved toys?

It may be suitable when the exact toy is identified, recalls are checked, age guidance is followed and the toy is complete, undamaged and functioning as described.

What should sellers disclose?

Disclose missing pieces, damaged parts, repairs, battery issues, non-working features and any other fault that affects use or value.

Are incomplete toys worth selling?

Some may still be useful, but missing parts must be stated clearly. Do not sell a toy as usable when an essential or safety-related component is missing.

Can toys be listed as FREE on Kidora?

Yes. FREE toys are collection-only and have no Buyer Protection fee, but the same safety and condition checks still apply.

What condition labels does Kidora use?

Kidora uses New, Like New, Very Good, Good and Well Used.