When you’re buying toys
Whether you're buying new or second-hand toys, follow these tips to make sure they are safe.
- The smaller the child, the bigger the toy should be. Children under three may put things in their mouths, up their noses and in their ears. If your child’s under three, don’t let them play with toys that:
- are smaller than the length of your little finger
- have small parts, or that release small parts when dropped or pulled. Children under three don’t have a well-developed coughing reflex and will choke easily on small things.
- Toys should have:
- a safe surface - check that paints used are non-toxic
- safe fillings that are non-toxic, and don’t come out easily
- smooth edges - toys with sharp points or rough edges could badly scratch or cut a child.
- soft toys should be fire resistant.
- Toys shouldn’t be too loud – check the toy before you buy it or gift it. If it’s too loud for you, it’s too loud for a child.
Check the Product Recalls website to see recently recalled toys and children's products
Choosing the right toys for your child’s age
For children aged 0 to six months
Look for toys that are easy to clean, that can be chewed, sucked, and tugged, and toys that are big enough that baby can’t fit it all in their mouth.
Good choices include: mobiles with interesting shapes and colours (but keep the mobile out of reach), soft toys, and rattles.
For children aged six months to one year
Choose toys that are strong, easily cleaned, and with no detachable parts.
Good choices include: pull and push toys, floating bath toys, large building bricks or blocks, soft toys, large, soft balls, cars and trucks marked safe for children under one year of age.
For children aged two to three years
Look for toys to develop a child’s coordination.
Good choices include: crayons, felt pens, picture books, sorting games, single musical instruments, balls, hand puppets, wheel barrows, slides, sit-and-ride toys.
For children aged three to five years
Look for toys that are used for imaginative games.
Good choices include: toys to dress up, toy telephones, doll houses, farm sets, cars, dump trucks, trains, tricycles, dress-up costumes, balls, buckets and spades, felt pens, paints, chalk, and paper. If buying ride on toys, think about getting a helmet too.
Toys sold in New Zealand must meet the mandatory safety standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1
Use the Six S's to check if toys are safe
It's a good idea to check your child's toys regularly to make sure they are still safe to play with. Use the Six S's as a guide:
- Size matters/swallow risk – Make sure toys are large enough to not be put in their mouth, ears or nose, and watch for small parts or items like button batteries that could be swallowed.
- Surface check – Look for smooth finishes and avoid sharp edges.
- String safety – Avoid toys with long cords or strings.
- Supervision and safety instruction – Check packaging and know which toys need adult supervision.
- Sound – Make sure toys aren’t too loud for little ears.
- Specs check – read the packaging and labels to see if the toy is suitable, and make sure you know how to use it. Check for safety standards and materials labels.
Learn more about the Six S's for toy safety
What to check for in your toy box
Broken toys
Check through your toy box regularly with the Six S's above in mind. Get rid of any toys with ripped stitches, broken or loose parts or dangling strings.
High-powered magnet toys
High-powered magnet ‘toys’ are very dangerous for children and can cause severe damage or death if swallowed. These magnets have been banned for sale in New Zealand since 2014, but it’s possible they could still be bought via overseas websites or found in the community.
Make sure young tamariki cannot get hold of high-powered magnets in your home.
High-powered magnets – product safety
Button batteries
Button batteries can cause severe burns if a child swallows them or puts them in their nose or ears.
Find out more about keeping your child safe from button batteries
Lead paint
Some older toys, like coloured building blocks or rocking horses, could contain toxic lead-based paint. This is harmful to children, who may enjoy chewing on them as the paint tastes sweet.
If you think a toy might have lead-based paint, you can get a home testing kit from some hardware stores. If it contains lead-based paint, you'll need to dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility – check with your local council for details.
Make sure the toy box is safe too!
Toy boxes help keep rooms tidy, but they can also be dangerous. Children can be injured if the lid falls on their head while they’re looking in the box. Fingers can also be jammed or crushed. Toy boxes are safer without lids.
Make sure that:
- any lid is light and can be removed completely
- locks can be opened easily from inside
- there’s a 1.2cm gap between the lid and the box when the lid is closed - this will stop fingers getting crushed.
Always:
- remove any heavy lids
- make sure the toy box can’t be used by the child as a step to reach dangerous places or objects
- replace worn hinges.
What to do if you have a problem with a toy
If you are concerned that a toy is unsafe for children, you can contact the retailer or supplier it came from, and let MBIE know through their Product Safety website:
Report an unsafe toy or product
Last updated: 8 December 2025
