10 Safe Toys for Babies and Toddlers

Finding safe toys for babies and toddlers has gotten harder in the wake of the discovery of lead in children's products. However, there are still many toys that are safe for children. Below are 10 toys for babies and toddlers that have been tested for safety. The toys listed below come from companies who have stated that all of their toys meet or exceed the requirements for toy safety, so with that statement in mind, feel free to browse the other toys on these websites as well.

Little Champs Activity Football
The Little Champs Activity Football from Little Tikes is appropriate for babies and toddlers 6 months to 36 months. It is an electronic football-shaped toy with lights and sounds to stimulate sensory skills. At around $9.99, this safe and educational toy will be loads of fun for many babies and toddlers. This can be found on the Little Tikes website at www.littletikes.com. It can also be found at many retail locations, such as Walmart, KB Toys, Target, and Toys R Us, to name a few. Not all locations of a specific retailer will carry the product, so be sure to call ahead.

Soft & Sturdy Building Projects
Soft & Sturdy Building Projects from Step2 is most appropriate for toddlers. Made from soft foam, these sturdy pieces meant to resemble wood provide fun practice of fine motor skills. A child can create many different structures with this collection of child-sized building set. It comes with interlocking pieces, as well as nuts and bolts that can be easily fastened by children. This product is about $14.99 and can be found on the Step2 website at www.step2.com. Some Walmart locations also carry this product. Call ahead to be sure the store you will visit carries this product.

Flutterby Butterfly High Chair Toy
Designed for babies 6 months and up, the Flutterby Butterfly High Chair Toy is versatile as well as educational. This safe baby toy, costing a little under $20, can be attached to most strollers or high chairs, using the suction cup attached to the toy. To but this safe toy, visit www.monkeybeans.com and visit the baby toys section.

Tonka Wheel Drivers Scoot 'N Scoop 3-in-1 Ride-On
This is a ride-on version of the popular and sturdy Tonka trucks. Suitable for children 9 months to 3 years of age, this triple-duty truck is a wonderful addition to a little one's collection. This toy helps with transitioning from crawling to walking, as it can be used a walker. It can be used as a digging tool as well, before after the child has learned to walk. Once at the walking stage, the child can then ride on the truck. At a mere $34.99 on the Hasbro website (www.hasbrotoyshop.com), it is definitely a bargain, considering it is not only safe, but has multiple fun and stimulating purposes.

Tinkertoy
Tinkertoy is a classic building set that is safe for toddlers over the age of 3 years. Tinkertoy uses fine motor skills and also brings out creativity and imagination. Tinkertoy can be purchased in various sets from around $10 up to around $80. Sold at many retailers, such as Walmart, Tinkertoy is a safetoy that will provide many opportunities for versatile and engaging play time. Tinkertoy can also be found at www.Playskool.com.

Lincoln Logs
Like Tinkertoy, Lincoln Logs is another classic set of building toys. With Lincoln Logs, children can create miniature log cabins and other log structures. From $12.99 and up at www.lincolnlogs.knex.com, your child can enjoy these wonderful safe toys that help develop fine motor skills and creativity. Lincoln Logs can also be found at many toy retailers. Since there are some small parts, this toy is for toddlers over 3 years old.

Playskool Busy Basics Busy Bouncin' Zoo
Designed for infants and toddlers 1 year old and up, the Playskool Busy Basics Busy Bouncin' Zoo is great for motor skills. The children use the plastic hammer to pound different buttons of the toy to create animal sounds and cause animals to pop up. For a mere $9.99, on www.playskool.com, you can keep your toddler entertained and practicing motor skills. This item can also be found at many toy retailers.

Leap Frog Learn 'N Groove Alphabet Drum
This safe educational toy is designed for infants and toddlers 6 months and up. They can learn alphabet skills, music skills, as well as get in some physical play with this electronic interactive toy drum. To find thissafe toy, visit www.leapfrog.com as well as many toy retailers, like Walmart and Toys R Us.

Hooked On Phonics Discover Reading - Toddler Edition Premium
This is what you could call a safe toy with a purpose. Hooked On Phonics is well-known for its innovative and educational products and this one is no different. While not exactly a toy in the traditional sense, children will have loads of fun learning essential reading skills. This program is designed for toddlers 18 - 36 months old and can be found at hooked-on-phonics.com for about $65.

Tyrannosaurus Rex Wooden Crayon Holder from Sanders Toys
This durable, cute, and safe toy is great for holding a toddler's crayons within easy reach. The child can see all the colors, but they won't be spread all over the table. By making all colors easy to view, this toy can enhance creativity in a toddler. This safe toy with a creative purpose can be found at www.sanderstoys.com for only $15.50. It holds 16 crayons.

~~

*To read more about toy safety, product recalls, and other parenting articles, simply click on the author's name above this article.

**This author openly welcomes any feedback, suggestions, and extra tips in the comments section below.