Why old toys need a second look
Passing toys down is one of the best things about classic toys. A well-made wooden train or a box of blocks can serve several children. But safety rules have changed over the years, toys wear with use, and a toy made decades ago was not built to today's standards. A few minutes of checking makes a big difference.
A quick checklist
- Recalls. Search the toy type and any maker's name on the CPSC recalls page.
- Small parts. Look for pieces that are small enough to swallow, or that could break off.
- Damage. Check for cracks, splinters, sharp edges, loose wheels and rusty or bent metal.
- Cords. Look for long strings or cords that a young child could get tangled in.
- Batteries. Make sure any battery compartment is secure and free of corrosion.
- Finish. Look for chipped or peeling paint, especially on toys a child might chew.
Old paint and lead
Lead was once common in paint, including paint on toys. US rules now strictly limit lead in paint on children's products, but older toys and toys from unknown sources may not meet those limits. You can't tell by looking.
A cautious approach for old painted toys:
- Don't give old painted toys to babies, toddlers or any child who still mouths things.
- Don't sand or scrape old paint. That can create dust.
- If you want to know more, home lead test kits exist, and your local health department can advise on testing. Results from home kits are not always reliable on every surface.
- When in doubt, keep a treasured old toy on a high shelf for display rather than in the play box.
Wooden toys
Unpainted wooden toys are usually the easiest to bring back into play. Clean them, check for cracks and splinters, sand rough spots smooth, and re-oil the surface. The wooden toy care guide has the steps. A toy with a deep crack, especially near a joint or an axle, should be retired, since it may break into smaller pieces.
Soft toys and dolls
Old soft toys can hide loose seams, brittle plastic eyes and crumbling stuffing. Check seams by pulling gently, and look at the eyes and nose. Wash fabric toys if the care label allows it. Very old dolls with fragile parts are best kept as keepsakes.
Cleaning before use
Wipe hard toys with warm water and a little mild soap, rinse with a damp cloth and let them air dry. Wooden toys should not be soaked. Plastic toys without electronics can often be washed in a sink. Give secondhand toys a clean before they reach a young child.
Keeping the story
An old toy often comes with a story: who played with it, where it came from. Write a short note and keep it with the toy, or tell the story when you hand it over. Children often treat a toy with more care once they know it has a history.
Treat this page as a starting point. Toy rules and recall lists are kept up to date by official agencies: in the US that is the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and most other countries have a product safety regulator of their own. A pediatrician is the right person to ask about a particular child.