How much notice do you take of age guidelines on toys?

[frazzledgirl]

For example, DS is 20 months and OBSESSED with trains. Aunt has some Brio stuff her daughter's grown out of, but it's meant to be three and up.

Don't want to endanger him, OTOH he seems to have grown out of putting things in his mouth.

So should I wait? How much do you worry?

(He's a PFB if you hadn't guessed already )

I take absolutely no notice! In fact most of the time I don't even look at the age guidelines. I look at what small pieces are involved and make my own judgement on what I know DS will try and eat!

It really depends. Some are just a guidance for ability rather than safety. I followed them more with DS1, but DS2 loves looking at and holding DS1s cars and trains so I just let him

depends what it is really

DS3 (1) plays with brio type trains. I think they say 3 and up because if they break they have got small parts

As long as he is supervised Brio should be fine - they do make lethal weapons if he is into throwing though and he might get frustrated if they don't stay together easily or on the track.

For "3+" toys it is a matter of detachable small parts, choking hazards or simply being too fiddly and frustrating. Regulations are much less stringent safety wise than for toddler/baby approved toys . After 3+ it is more about appropriate level of development and interest than age.

none whatsoever.

i decide if they're old enough and they decide i they've grown out of them

Our DS had Brio and trains well before 3.

Worst thing was that he got frustrated with not being able to make track himself.
Never hurt himself with it. And whiled away many happy hours with it!

The 'putting into mouth' thing comes and goes. Just because he doesn't do it now, doesn't mean he won't.

Toys that say they are unsuitable for under 3's say so because there are regulations in place that require all toys for under 3's to have passed a safety chack, which costs money. However, just because it hasn't undergone this check doesn't mean it is unsafe (although it does usually mean it is cheaper). It is best to use common sense and supervision.

Foam is one to watch though, because a bitten off piece can be a choking hazzard.

none. Like the others say, trust your own judgement.

I bought DS (2) a Thomas floor puzzle that's marked for 3+... it says on the box 'contains small parts that may be a choking hazard'. The puzzle pieces are each about 10cm across, I doubt a horse could choke on them!

Like everyone else, I just use common sense. DS has been playing with Brio since he was about 12mo.

oh i agree with cat, as soon as you have more then one they play with all sorts of "unsuitable" toys.

only word of caution, watch the magnets in brio sets, the ones on the trains are fine ime, however some of the more gadgety bits they can come off and magnets are VERY dangerous is swallowed. (ie life threatening, shreads internal organs not just a choking hazard)

i agree with the others, just trust your judgement and take out any bits from the set you think are a bit too grown up for him.

Brio is fine for a 20mo, imho. Ds1 had his at that age, if not before.

The only thing I take care with is Playmobil and the zillions of tiny pieces. I'm paranoid that 13mo ds2 will swallow them, so ds1 is only allowed to play with it when ds2 naps.