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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.

Age labels can address more than developmental enjoyment; certain warnings identify potential choking or other hazards. The CAPT toy-buying guidance gives recognised UK guidance on buying toys, while manufacturers and official recall notices remain important for an individual product.

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.

Product recalls can apply to a particular model, batch or version, not every item in a brand. Before buying or passing a product on, the UK product recall service allows users to search official notices rather than relying only on the listing description.

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.

Electronic toys may contain small batteries behind compartments that become loose or damaged with use. CAPT button battery information explains the serious risks of swallowed button batteries and what families should do if this is suspected; Kidora cannot provide emergency medical assessment.

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.

Magnets may be hidden inside toys or become exposed when a product breaks. The CAPT magnet safety resource explains why small high-powered magnets require particular caution, including with older or second-hand products.

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.

Connected toys can store voice recordings, location or account information depending on the product. A second-hand device may also remain linked to another person's account. Consult NSPCC online-safety guidance for online-safety issues and the manufacturer's current privacy and reset instructions.

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.

A cardboard box or a familiar set of figures can give children opportunities to tell stories and try new roles. There is no need to describe any specific toy as developmentally essential. See NHS play and learning guidance for general ideas about play and learning.

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

A toy that is no longer played with can still bring enjoyment to another family when it is safe and suitable to pass on. Kidora helps UK parents buy and sell suitable preloved children’s toys and games.

Before considering second-hand equipment, check the exact product identity, manufacturer instructions, completeness, condition and any official product recall. Safety-critical equipment may have hidden damage or unknown history; an online listing cannot verify that it is suitable for use.

Kidora charges no seller fees, so sellers keep 100% of the item sale price. A Kidora Fee applies to paid purchases and is shown before checkout. Eligible items can also be listed at £0 as FREE; FREE listings are for local collection only and have no Kidora Fee.

Kidora and Buyer Protection do not inspect or certify an item’s safety, suitability, condition or history. Recalled, damaged or unsafe products must not be listed, sold or given away.

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.

Related Kidora Parent Hub Guides

About This Guide

Prepared by: Kidora Team.

Sources: GOV.UK, NHS, NSPCC and Child Accident Prevention Trust, with direct links above and throughout this guide.

Editorial sources checked: 15 October 2026. This was a source-based editorial review, not a clinical, legal, educational or product-safety expert review. Guidance may change; use the linked original sources for the latest information.

Important: Kidora is not a healthcare provider, educational assessor or product-safety certification organisation. This guide provides general information and signposting for UK families. Kidora does not inspect or certify toys or determine therapeutic, developmental or age suitability for an individual child. Refer to relevant official guidance and qualified professionals for individual circumstances. In an immediate or life-threatening emergency, call 999.