Monday, December 15, 2025

Dangerous Toys to Avoid: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Safe Holiday Play

STAFF REPORT

Every year, more than 100,000 children age 12 and under are treated in emergency departments across the nation for injuries associated with toys.

With the holiday shopping season currently in full swing, many parents may be thinking twice about what toys to buy for their children, concerned about the potential hazards they may pose to their little ones’ health.

If you’re one of those parents, you have every right to be worried.

Every year, more than 100,000 children aged 12 and under are treated in emergency departments across the nation for injuries associated with toys, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Additionally, doctors report emergency rooms are flooded with children injured by new toys each December. That’s why it’s important to buy toys from reputable sources, and be cautious when purchasing toys online. Last year, the Consumer Protection Safety Commission seized more than 1.5 million dangerous or illegal toys, many for high lead exposure.

According to Dr. Jennifer Nguyen, a pediatrician with Pasadena-based Kaiser Permanente Southern California, play is a child’s job – it’s how they make sense of their world. The best play is that which encourages interactions with other children and their parents. That’s why parents need to understand the importance of age-appropriate toys this holiday season to protect children’s health.

Dr. Nguyen noted the following toys should be avoided for young children due to the risk of severe injury or death:

• Small balls or crayons as they may cause a choking hazard.
• Flotation toys – Many parents expect the toys to keep their children above water, but they are toys, not life preservers, and can lead to drownings.
• Toy chests can trap children.
• Water beads look like small candies, but if swallowed, can cause internal injury.

Dr. Nguyen, who practices in Diamond Bar, offers the following safety guidelines for young children:

• Follow the toy’s age recommendations.
• Beware of small parts. If a loose toy part can fit down a toilet paper roll, then it’s a choking hazard and should be avoided for children under the age of 4.
• Avoid sharp edges.
• Avoid cords or strings longer than 7 inches, which can wrap around a child’s neck.
• Avoid toys with small magnets and button batteries. Batteries can cause internal burns, and if more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach in the child’s body.
• Avoid water beads – colorful beads can expand to 100 times their original size when wet and can block the intestines, causing injury and potentially death.

The following safety guidelines are recommended for older children, according to Dr. Nguyen:

• Avoid scooters – kids go too fast, crash or fly off, causing injury including broken bones and concussions. Children under the age of 16 should not be riding electric scooters.
• Hoverboards – lots of broken arms are caused by hoverboards. In addition, if the lithium ion battery is damaged, it can overheat and cause a fire.
• Trampolines.

“If you already have these items, talk to your kids about responsible usage and protective gear like helmets and wrist guards,” Dr. Nguyen advises.

The following toys are recommended for young children:

• Toys that foster pretend play, such as toy cars, dolls and action figures.
• Manipulatives that encourage problem solving and motor skills, such as blocks and puzzles. These kinds of toys improve spacial awareness and math skills.
• Art – coloring books, markers and crayons foster creativity.
• Board games that engage parents and children.

“Active, creative, hands-on and pretend play with traditional toys build language skills, imagination, fine motor skills and keep children active,” Dr. Nguyen said.

Recommended toys for older children:

• Sports equipment, such as a pickleball set or basketball, encourages kids to play outside with their friends.
• Legos, musical instruments and art supplies encourage creativity and fine motor skills.
• Science kits, telescopes, and binoculars encourage curiosity and learning about their environment.

“The bottom-line is do your research when buying toys this holiday season to make sure they are age-appropriate and do not pose unnecessary health risks to your children,” Dr. Nguyen said. “That way, you’ll help ensure that they will enjoy their toys and at the same time, you’ll have peace of mind.”