How to Choose Safe Toys for Preschoolers: A Parent’s Checklist for Choking Hazards and Labels

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Free guide for parents of children ages 3 to 5 · Last reviewed: October 2026

To choose safe toys for preschoolers, read the age label, check that no part fits inside an empty toilet paper tube, avoid loose magnets and button batteries, keep cords short, and always supervise play. This guide walks you through each step, with a simple checklist you can use every time you shop or clean out the toy box. You can also use our toy safety checklist on the site.

Our goal is not to scare you. Most toys are safe when they are the right age, in good shape, and used with an adult nearby.

Why Toy Safety Matters at Ages 3 to 5

Preschoolers explore with their hands and eyes, but many still put things in their mouths. They also share their home with younger siblings, who are at higher risk. A toy that is perfect for a 5-year-old can be dangerous for a baby, so toy safety is a family-wide habit.

Step 1: Read the Age Label

Age labels are about safety as well as skills. If a toy says “not for children under 3,” it is not safe for a younger child, even if they seem ready. By law, toys intended for ages 3 to 6 that have small parts must carry a choking hazard warning. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains the rules in its small parts guidance.

Our hazard label guide explains each warning we use on the site, and our toys by age table helps you match toys to ages.

Step 2: Try the Toilet Paper Tube Test

This is the easiest safety check. Drop the toy or any part, including pieces that could come off, through an empty toilet paper tube. If it fits, it is a choking hazard for children under 3 and for any child who still puts things in their mouth.

The official CPSC test cylinder is a little smaller than a tube: 1.25 inches wide and 2.25 inches long. The toilet paper tube is a simple, slightly larger stand-in that is easy to keep in a drawer. When in doubt, go bigger.

1. Pick up the toy and any loose parts.
2. Try each part in the tube.
3. If it fits, keep it away from young children.
4. Check again after play, since parts can break.

Step 3: Know the Choking Hazards

• Small parts: pieces that fit in the tube, such as small blocks, beads, and counters.
• Small balls: the CPSC treats balls 1.75 inches across or smaller as a choking hazard. Choose bigger balls, like our soft foam balls.
• Balloons: uninflated or broken balloons can be a choking and suffocation risk for children under 8.
• Marbles: these need warning labels, and are not for young children.

Many of our favorite classic toys, such as wooden building blocks, are safe when blocks are large and in good condition.

Step 4: Watch Out for Magnets and Button Batteries

Swallowed magnets and button batteries can cause serious injury. Magnets can attract each other inside the body, and button batteries can burn tissue. Avoid toys with loose or high-powered magnets, and check that battery doors are secured with a screw.

Some classic toys, like magnetic building tiles, have sealed magnets. Buy from a reputable maker, check tiles often, and throw away any that crack. Keep them away from children who mouth objects.

Step 5: Check Cords, Strings, and Art Supplies

Strings and cords can be a strangulation hazard. The CPSC advises avoiding cords 7 inches or longer on toys for infants. For preschoolers, keep laces and strings short and supervise closely, especially with toys like lacing beads.

For art supplies, look for the label ASTM D4236, which means the product has been reviewed for health hazards. Crayons, paint, and chalk are not food, so keep them out of mouths.

Step 6: Look for Safety Labels and Check Recalls

Toys sold in the United States must meet the ASTM F963 toy safety standard. You will often see “meets ASTM F963” on the box. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has a helpful page of toy safety tips, and the CPSC explains its toy standards.

• Check CPSC.gov for recalls before buying and when you receive gifts.
• Inspect toys often for cracks, loose parts, and sharp edges.
• Be careful with older or second-hand toys, since very old painted toys may contain lead.
• Throw away or repair broken toys right away.

A Quick Safety Checklist

Use this list each time you buy or clean up toys. A longer version is on our toy safety checklist.

• The age label fits my child.
• No part fits inside a toilet paper tube (for children under 3 or who mouth objects).
• No loose, cracked, or chewed pieces.
• No sharp edges or splinters.
• Cords and laces are short.
• Magnets are sealed, and battery doors are locked.
• Art supplies say non-toxic and ASTM D4236.
• An adult is nearby during play.

Safe Play Rules to Teach Your Child

Safety is a team effort, and preschoolers can learn simple rules:

• Toys are for playing, not for putting in our mouths.
• We keep small toys on the table, away from the baby.
• We play with magnets and craft supplies with a grown-up.
• We pick up toys so no one trips.
• We tell a grown-up if a toy is broken.

Say the rules in a calm, friendly voice and repeat them often. Children learn through routines.

Keeping Baby Safe When Older Siblings Play

If you have a baby or toddler at home, the preschooler’s toys can be a hazard. Try these habits:

• Give your preschooler a play space, such as a table or a gated area, for toys with small pieces.
• Store small-parts toys in high bins or in a closet.
• Do a quick floor sweep before nap time.
• Teach your preschooler to ask for help before opening a toy with small parts.

How Often to Check Toys

Set a calendar reminder to look over toys once a month. Check for cracks, loose parts, sharp edges, worn cords, and dead batteries. Wash plastic toys with soap and water, and follow the maker’s cleaning instructions. Throw away or repair anything that is broken, and keep a bin for toys that are not for younger children.

Safe Toys by Skill

Once your safety checks are done, choose toys that help your child grow. Here are good places to start:

• Building toys for planning and spatial skills
• Pretend play toys for language and empathy
• Play dough for hand strength. It is not food, and some contain wheat, so check allergy labels.
• Tricycles and balance bikes for balance. Always use a properly fitted helmet.

Browse all of our educational toys for preschoolers, with safe use and cautions for each one. For ideas on how to play, see Play and Learn.

Gift-Giving Tips for Family and Friends

Relatives often want to buy something special. You can make it easier by sharing a short list. Suggest classic, open-ended toys like blocks, play dough, puzzles, art supplies, or musical instruments, and mention the age range and any safety needs, such as no small parts. A wish list helps everyone avoid unsafe or unused gifts.

What About Toys for Mixed Ages and Hand-Me-Downs?

Toys passed along from older children, friends, or yard sales can be wonderful, and they save money. Before you use them, check them over for cracks, loose parts, sharp edges, and missing safety labels. Look up the toy on CPSC.gov to see if it has been recalled. Be extra careful with very old painted toys and anything with a battery or magnet. If you cannot tell whether a toy is safe, it is better to leave it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a toy is a choking hazard?

If any part fits inside an empty toilet paper tube, it is a choking hazard for children under 3 and for any child who puts things in their mouth. Also check for warning labels about small parts, small balls, and marbles.

Are wooden toys safer than plastic toys?

Not automatically. Both can be safe or unsafe. Check the age label, edges, finish, and small parts, and choose products that meet toy safety standards.

Are magnetic tiles safe for preschoolers?

Quality sets keep magnets sealed, but swallowed magnets are dangerous. Check tiles often, throw away any that crack, and keep them away from children who mouth objects and from younger siblings.

Are second-hand toys okay?

Often, but check for cracks, loose parts, and recalls on CPSC.gov. Very old painted toys may contain lead, so be careful.

Related Reading

• 30 Easy Activities for Preschoolers at Home (No Special Supplies Needed)
• How to Help a Preschooler With Big Feelings: 10 Calm-Down Strategies That Work

Sources and Credits

• CPSC: Summary of the small parts regulation
• CPSC OnSafety: Small parts, what parents need to know
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Toy safety
• Wisconsin DATCP: Toy safety labels
• CPSC: Toy safety standards
• Featured image illustrations: Twemoji by Twitter, Inc. and other contributors, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

This article is general safety information and not medical or legal advice. It cannot cover every toy, brand, or child. Age labels and instructions from the maker always come first. All toys should be used with adult supervision. If your child swallows something unsafe or is choking, call your local emergency number right away. In the United States, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222.