What Counts as a Safe Toy for Children Under 3?

When we think of toys for infants and toddlers (birth to ~36 months), we’re not just looking for “cute” and “fun” — we’re looking for safe. At this age children are exploring everything with their mouths, hands and bodies. What looks like gentle play can quickly become a choking hazard, strangulation risk or chemical exposure if the toy isn’t thoughtfully designed.
Here are the key safety criteria and underlying reasons:

1. Size, shape and removable parts

• Children under 3 often put toys, parts of toys or pieces of toys into their mouths. Any small part that can detach, break off or be swallowed is a major risk. In Australia a good rule of thumb: if a part is smaller than about 31 mm in diameter and 57 mm long it can be a choking hazard. CBOS

• The mandatory standard for toys for children up to 36 months in Australia explicitly addresses the risk of small parts releasing or coming off during play or reasonable wear and tear. ACCC Product Safety+2Federal Register of Legislation+2

• Shape matters: sharp edges, pointed objects, things children might wedge in their throat or try to swallow must be avoided. CBOS+1

2. Material, surface and finish

• The surface of a toy must be non-toxic, durable under toddler play and free of loose coating, flaking paint or brittle bits. Royal Children's Hospital+1

• Finish (buttons, zip pulls, decorated bits) must be securely attached so that rough toddler play doesn’t detach them and create hazards. The recent update to the toy standard emphasised this. SGSCorp+1

• For very young children especially, ease of cleaning matters (toys that can’t be cleaned may harbour germs).

3. Age-appropriate design & labelling

• Toys should clearly indicate an age recommendation and be appropriate to a child’s stage of development. “Age 0-3” or “birth to 36 months” denotations are useful. The standard covers toys “designed, manufactured, labelled or marketed as playthings for children up to and including 36 months of age”. ACCC Product Safety+1

• Even if a toy is labelled for older kids, if it’s reasonably recognised as intended for under-3s then the stricter standard may apply. ACCC Product Safety

• Always check the label or packaging for the Australian safety standard reference (for example, compliance with AS/NZS ISO 8124) and warnings. Royal Children's Hospital+1

4. Avoid hidden risks (strings, batteries, magnets)

• Toys with long strings, cords or ribbons (over 30 cm) can pose a strangulation hazard for small children. NSW Government+1

• Button or coin-cell batteries in toys are especially high risk: children can swallow them, causing serious injuries. Very young children’s toys must have battery compartments that can only be accessed with a tool. ACCC Product Safety+1

• Magnets and detachable small parts require extra caution.

5. Durability & supervision

• Even the best-designed toy can become unsafe if it breaks, if attachments become loose, if stitching wears out. Regular inspection of toys is essential. Royal Children's Hospital

• Supervision remains critical. In fact the “Five S’s of toy safety” from a NSW Government resource highlight: Size, Shape, Surface, Strings, Supervision. NSW Government

6. Compliance with legal standards

• In Australia, toys for children up to and including 36 months must comply with the mandatory standard: Consumer Goods (Toys for Children up to and including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard 2023. Federal Register of Legislation+1

• Manufacturers/importers must ensure design, construction, labelling & testing meet this standard (or equivalent international standard) to reduce risk of choking, suffocation or poisoning. ACCC Product Safety+1

Why Wondertivity Baby & Toddler Busy Books are a Safe Choice for Under-3s

As someone who left the corporate world to design play resources for her own children, you’ve built Wondertivity with that family-care lens. Here’s how your busy books align with the safety best-practices above — and why you can confidently recommend them for the youngest children (with supervision, as always).

Thoughtful design for the little ones

• The Baby & Toddler collection is clearly marketed for “Newborn - 36 months”. Wondertivity

• The books are handmade from premium felt and fabric, with reinforced covers/pages designed to withstand rough little hands. Wondertivity+1

• Activities and pieces are designed to be securely attached (limiting small detachable parts) and built with durability in mind. For example, the FAQ states: “Wondertivity books contain small parts that are securely attached. … However, please continue to adequately supervise children under the age of 3.” Wondertivity

Materials & finish that support safe play

• Since the books are fabric/felt based (rather than many small rigid plastic parts), there is inherently less chance of rigid shards or brittle pieces detaching.

• The design emphasises quiet, tactile, screen-free play — which also reduces risks associated with electronics or battery compartments (a common hazard in many toys for young children).

• The product descriptions emphasise the developmental benefits (fine-motor skills, sensory exploration) while implicitly championing robust construction. Wondertivity+1

Age-appropriate complexity with supervision built-in

• The FAQ notes that while the books are suitable from around age 2 (for example “Busy Bear Book can be enjoyed by children as young as 2…”), it also flags that children under 3 should be closely supervised. Wondertivity

• This acknowledges that while the product is designed for the under-3 age range, supervision is part of the safe-play equation — aligning with best practice.

Brand integrity and family-first values

• The “Our Story” page explains that Wondertivity was created by an Australian mother for her three children, emphasising the values of safety, learning through play and quality. Wondertivity

• Because you are deeply involved in the design and manufacture (or oversight) of the product, you can emphasise your commitment to materials, testing and longevity in your blog.

Key Takeaway for Parents & Gift-Givers

When it comes to toys for children under 3, safety is non-negotiable. As you choose or gift, keep these top tips in mind:

• Check size and avoid any product with small detachable parts for younger toddlers.

• Look for age-appropriate labelling and compliance with Australian standards (or equivalent).

• Choose durable, well-finished materials, avoid hidden hazards (batteries, long cords, magnets).

• Regularly inspect the toy for wear and supervise child’s play – especially when new.

• Prefer meaningful, development-rich toys over “lots of noise” ones — simplified, tactile books like Wondertivity fit the bill beautifully.

With that in mind, parents can trust that Wondertivity’s Baby & Toddler range offers a thoughtful, quality-made play resource — engineered with their youngest in mind. And yes: while “toy” is the everyday word, these books are more than that; they’re sound play-partners crafted to nurture early development, safely.