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Toys and Games

Toys and games can support play, imagination, conversation, movement, problem-solving and family time. Children do not need large quantities of toys, and an expensive product is not automatically more useful than a simple, well-chosen one.

The best choice depends on the child’s age, development, interests, abilities, available space and how the item will be supervised and stored.

This UK guide covers choosing toys, checking safety, understanding age labels, electronic products, batteries, magnets, board games, imaginative play, inclusive play, storage, toy rotation and buying suitable items preloved.

How to Use This Guide

This page provides general toy-selection, play and safety information. It does not certify a product, diagnose a developmental or sensory need, or replace professional therapy, product instructions or emergency first aid.

Check age warnings, the actual child, younger siblings, product condition and official recalls before use.

Additional Trusted UK Toy-Safety Links

Trusted UK Information

Useful UK sources include:

Product instructions, age warnings and recalls should always take priority over general advice.

Choose Toys for the Child, Not Only the Age Label

Age labels are important for safety, but families should also consider:

The child’s developmental stage
Whether they still put objects in their mouth
Fine motor skills
Understanding of instructions
Ability to manage frustration
Whether younger siblings can access the toy
How much adult supervision is needed

Age Warnings Are Safety Information

Warnings such as “not suitable for children under 36 months” may relate to:

Small parts
Long cords
Sharp points
Magnets
Batteries
Complex use

Do not ignore an age warning because a child appears advanced.

Check the Packaging and Instructions

Before use, read:

Minimum and maximum age
Weight limits
Supervision requirements
Assembly instructions
Battery information
Cleaning guidance
Warnings about small parts

Keep Instructions

Instructions can be useful for:

Correct assembly
Replacing batteries
Checking missing parts
Cleaning
Resale
Identifying the exact model during a recall

Inspect New and Preloved Toys Before Use

Check for:

Cracks
Sharp edges
Loose parts
Missing screws
Broken seams
Exposed stuffing
Loose wheels
Damaged cords
Battery corrosion

Check Product Recalls

Search the exact brand, model or product description in the official UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Stop using a recalled toy and follow the manufacturer, retailer or Office for Product Safety and Standards instructions.

Small Parts

Small pieces can create a choking risk for babies and younger children.

Take particular care with:

Building pieces
Doll accessories
Game counters
Toy food
Removable wheels
Decorations
Marbles
Beads

Consider Younger Siblings

A toy may be suitable for an older child but unsafe if a baby or toddler can reach it.

Use:

Separate storage
High shelves
Supervised play areas
Clear rules about packing away small pieces

Button Batteries

Button batteries can cause life-threatening internal injury if swallowed or inserted into the body.

Check that the battery compartment closes securely, every fixing is present, the casing is undamaged and the child cannot access the battery.

Remove the product from use if the compartment is insecure, the battery is loose or there is corrosion, swelling or damage.

If a child may have swallowed a button battery, go straight to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance. Do not wait for symptoms. Use current button-battery guidance.

Store Spare and Used Batteries Safely

Keep batteries:

Out of sight
Out of reach
In secure packaging
Away from loose coins and metal objects

Dispose of used batteries through an appropriate battery-recycling service.

Magnets

Small high-powered magnets can cause life-threatening internal injury when swallowed.

Remove a toy or game from use if a magnet is loose, missing, exposed or accessible through a cracked casing. Keep magnetic products for older children away from younger siblings.

If a child may have swallowed magnets, go straight to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance. Do not wait for symptoms. Use current magnet-safety guidance.

Cords, Loops and Strings

Inspect:

Pull-along toys
Dressing-up clothes
Toy phones
Musical toys
Activity centres

Do not attach toys to cots, beds, pushchairs or clothing with improvised cords or loops.

Projectiles and Toy Weapons

For toys that fire foam darts, balls or other projectiles:

Follow the age guidance
Use only the intended ammunition
Do not aim at faces
Use eye protection where instructed
Keep away from roads and animals

Water Toys

Bath and paddling-pool toys do not replace adult supervision.

Check water toys for:

Trapped water
Mould
Split seams
Loose valves
Small removable parts

Clean and Dry Water Toys

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

Allow toys to drain and dry fully after use.

Soft Toys

Check:

Eyes and noses
Seams
Stuffing
Sound units
Battery compartments
Care labels

Remove the toy from use if stuffing or hard internal parts are exposed.

Washable Soft Toys

Follow the care label and make sure the toy dries completely before returning it to the child.

Electronic Toys

Electronic toys may include:

Lights
Sounds
Screens
Internet connections
Voice recording
Apps
Bluetooth

Check Electronic Toy Safety

Inspect:

Cables
Chargers
Battery covers
Heat damage
Cracked screens
Exposed wiring
Loose ports

Do not use a damaged charger or cable.

Connected and Smart Toys

Before using an internet-connected toy, check:

What information it collects
Whether it records voices or images
Whether strangers can communicate through it
Default privacy settings
Account security
Whether software updates are available

Use the NSPCC online-safety guidance for wider family support.

Change Default Passwords

Where a connected toy uses an account or password:

Use a strong unique password
Enable security updates
Turn off unnecessary sharing
Delete recordings that are no longer needed
Remove account data before selling the toy

Screen-Based Games

Digital games can be part of family life, but check:

Age rating
Chat features
In-game purchases
Advertising
Loot boxes or chance-based purchases
Privacy settings
Whether play affects sleep, school or family routines

Set Clear Gaming Rules

Possible rules include:

Ask before buying anything
Do not share personal information
Tell an adult about upsetting messages
Use age-appropriate games
Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight

Imaginative Play

Imaginative toys may include:

Dolls
Animal figures
Play kitchens
Toy vehicles
Dressing-up clothes
Tool sets
Shop or doctor sets

Children may use the same toy in many different ways.

Open-Ended Toys

Open-ended toys can support flexible play.

Examples include:

Blocks
Magnetic construction toys suitable for the child’s age
Figures
Fabric pieces
Cardboard boxes
Art materials

Construction Toys

Check:

Age suitability
Small parts
Magnets
Cracked pieces
Whether the set is complete enough to use

Puzzles

Puzzles may support matching, shape recognition, persistence and problem-solving.

Choose:

Large pieces for younger children
Clear images
A manageable number of pieces
Themes the child enjoys

Board Games

Board games can help children practise:

Taking turns
Following rules
Counting
Planning
Managing winning and losing

Choose a Manageable Game

Consider:

Playing time
Reading level
Number of players
Small pieces
Rule complexity
The child’s tolerance for waiting

Adapt Rules When Appropriate

For family play, it may help to:

Play a shorter round
Use fewer cards
Play in teams
Explain one rule at a time
Use a visual turn marker

Teach Winning and Losing Calmly

Adults can model phrases such as:

“Good game.”
“You won that round.”
“Let us try again another day.”
“I felt disappointed, but I still enjoyed playing.”

Card Games

Simple card games may support:

Matching
Number recognition
Memory
Turn-taking

Use large, durable cards where smaller cards are difficult to hold.

Creative Toys

Creative products may include:

Crayons
Paint
Modelling materials
Stickers
Craft kits
Beads

Check Craft Materials

Review:

Age guidance
Small parts
Ingredient or safety information
Supervision instructions
Whether scissors or tools are included

Do not use an unidentified chemical, slime ingredient, paint or craft substance.

Musical Toys

Check:

Volume
Battery compartment
Loose keys or parts
Strings
Sharp edges

If a child reports discomfort or ringing in the ears, stop using the toy and seek appropriate healthcare advice if concerns continue.

Ride-On Toys

Check:

Age and weight limits
Stability
Wheels
Steering
Seat security
Outdoor or indoor suitability

Keep ride-ons away from stairs, roads, slopes and water.

Remote-Controlled Toys

Check:

Battery safety
Charging instructions
Moving parts
Speed
Outdoor restrictions
Whether the toy can reach roads or water

Toy Storage

Useful storage may include:

Low shelves
Open baskets
Labelled boxes
Separate containers for small parts
Higher storage for older children’s toys

Avoid Heavy-Lidded Toy Boxes

Check toy boxes for:

Heavy lids
Finger traps
Locking mechanisms
Sharp edges
Ventilation where a child could climb inside

Store Heavy Toys Low Down

Large or heavy items should not be stored where they can fall onto the child.

Toy Rotation

Rotating toys may:

Reduce clutter
Renew interest
Make choices easier
Help families notice outgrown items

Keep favourite comfort items available even when other toys are rotated.

Do Not Overfill the Play Space

Too many toys may make it harder for a child to choose or focus.

Try displaying a smaller selection and storing the rest safely.

Cleaning Toys

Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Before cleaning, check whether the toy contains:

Batteries
Electronics
Wood
Paper stickers
Fabric
Metal parts

Do Not Mix Cleaning Chemicals

Keep cleaning products out of children’s reach and use them according to their instructions.

Toys Shared During Illness

Clean frequently handled toys according to the product instructions and the family or setting’s hygiene routine.

Remove toys that cannot be cleaned after contamination where this creates a hygiene concern.

Inclusive Toys and Games

Children may need adaptations because of:

Mobility differences
Visual impairment
Hearing loss
Fine motor difficulties
Communication differences
Sensory needs
Learning disabilities

Possible Adaptations

Useful adaptations may include:

Larger pieces
High-contrast colours
Tactile markers
Picture instructions
Switch-adapted toys
Card holders
Team play
Shorter turns

Choose Toys That Reflect Different Children

Toys and games can represent:

Different skin tones
Different families
Disabilities
Different cultures
Different jobs and interests

Sensory Toys

Sensory products may include:

Textured toys
Light toys
Sound toys
Fidget items
Movement equipment

Check age suitability, small parts, batteries, cords and whether professional advice is needed for specialist or weighted products.

Weighted and Compression Products

Do not use weighted toys, blankets or compression products as treatment based only on a seller’s or manufacturer’s marketing claim.

Suitability may depend on the child’s age, size, mobility, breathing, circulation, ability to remove the product and other individual needs.

Follow advice from an appropriate qualified professional and the exact manufacturer instructions.

Play Therapy and Specialist Equipment

A product described as therapeutic, sensory or educational does not replace assessment or treatment by an appropriately qualified professional.

Where a child has an individual plan, follow the advice of the relevant occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, psychologist, paediatrician or other specialist.

Do not make a medical or developmental claim when listing an ordinary toy.

Helping Children Share Toys

Children may have:

Shared family toys
Personal toys
Special items that are not shared
Turn-taking toys

Clear expectations can reduce conflict.

Use Timers for Turn-Taking

A visual or audible timer may help children understand when a turn ends.

Make sure the timer itself does not create distress or sensory overload.

Broken Toys

Remove a toy from use if it has:

Sharp edges
Loose batteries
Exposed wires
Missing magnets
Cracked structural parts
Loose wheels
Exposed stuffing

Repair or Replace?

A simple repair may be suitable when:

The manufacturer permits it
The repair restores the intended structure
No safety component is affected
No new sharp edge, cord or loose part is created

Do not improvise repairs to battery compartments, magnets, ride-on frames, electrical toys or structural parts.

Passing Toys On

Before selling, donating or giving away a toy:

Clean it appropriately
Check all parts
Include instructions
Remove personal account data
Disclose damage
Check recalls

Buying Toys Preloved

Suitable preloved toys may include:

Blocks
Puzzles
Board games
Figures
Dolls
Play kitchens
Toy vehicles
Musical toys
Outdoor toys

Check Preloved Toys Carefully

Before buying, confirm:

Exact brand and model
Age guidance
Completeness
Instructions
Battery condition
No loose magnets
No broken seams or sharp edges
Recall status

Check Board Games for Missing Pieces

Ask whether the game includes:

Board
Cards
Counters
Dice
Instructions
Special components

A missing decorative piece may not matter, but a missing essential component can make the game unusable.

Check Electronic Toys Before Buying

Ask:

Whether the toy works
Which batteries or charger it requires
Whether the battery compartment is intact
Whether an app or account is required
Whether the manufacturer still supports the software

Connected Toys and Personal Data

The seller should remove:

Saved accounts
Wi-Fi details
Voice recordings
Photographs
Child profiles

The buyer should reset the toy and install current updates before use.

Toys and Games on Kidora

Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and suitable preloved baby and children’s toys and games.

Families may find puzzles, board games, blocks, dolls, figures, play kitchens, toy vehicles, electronic toys and outdoor games. Check age warnings, condition, completeness, batteries, magnets, cords, projectile parts, connected accounts, personal data and official recalls.

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

Suitable toys can be listed at £0 as FREE rather than being thrown away, helping another family. FREE listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Kidora does not certify toys as safe, therapeutic, educational or suitable for a particular child.

A Toys and Games Checklist

Follow age warnings
Check the child’s actual abilities
Inspect small parts
Secure battery compartments
Check magnets and cords
Review connected-toy privacy
Store older children’s pieces separately
Rotate toys to reduce clutter
Clean according to instructions
Remove broken toys promptly
Check completeness before buying
Search official UK recalls

Frequently Asked Questions

How many toys does a child need?

There is no required number. A smaller varied selection that suits the child’s age and interests can be easier to use than a crowded play space.

Can an advanced child use a toy intended for older children?

Do not ignore safety age warnings. They may relate to small parts, magnets, batteries or other hazards rather than ability.

What should I do if a toy’s battery cover is broken?

Stop using it. Do not improvise a repair that leaves batteries accessible to the child.

Can board games and puzzles be bought preloved?

Yes. Confirm that the important pieces and instructions are included and that small components are suitable for children in the home.

What should I check on a preloved electronic toy?

Check operation, charger compatibility, battery safety, software support, personal-data removal and recall status.