Toy Tips for Lead Poisoning Prevention

Tips for Lead-Safe Toys (64k PDF, 1p.)
'Get the Lead Out' Coalition Encourages Alternatives to Metal, Plastic Toys (108k PDF, 2pp.)

Alternative Toy Ideas

One of the most important factors to consider when evaluating the safety of children's toys is the age and developmental stage of the child. Please find the following toy ideas grouped by age. Be creative and as lead-safe as possible.

Newborns (0-3 mos)

Newborns do not need toys. It is recommended that their cribs be kept clear of heavy blankets, stuffed animals and other items to minimize the risk of suffocation.

Infants (0- 6 mos)

Infant mirror
Cloth books
Soothing music
Cloth stretch toy
Cloth mobiles
Cloth rattles

Infants (6-12 mos)

Cloth blocks
Tummy time mat

Toddlers (1-3 yrs)

Age appropriate soft toys (Raggedy Anne, bean bag chairs)
Fabric rocking horses
Books
Finger puppets
Balls
Nesting blocks
Finger paints

Pre-school (4-5 yrs)

Games and Puzzles
Books
Jump ropes, balls, hula hoops
Fancy, funny pillows for their room
Puzzles
Tricycles & helmets
Beginner skates & safety gear
Field trips to fire stations, police stations, jelly bean factory Sports equipment (exercise balls, jump ropes, baseball)
Costumes for dress up
Library card/regular trips to the library
Coloring books with large boxes of coloring crayons
Making salt dough ornaments, cookies and gingerbread houses

School Age (6-9)

Books Craft supplies and teaching time (knitting, embroidery, water colors)
Sleeping bags for sleepovers
Community classes targeting children, dance arts, field trips
Musical instruments, (inexpensive wood flutes, drums)
Bicycles/helmets
Skateboards, skates, safety equipment
Sports equipment (exercise balls, jump ropes, baseball)
Stickers and sticker books
Collections: stickers, sports cards, marbles
Playing cards, hearts, creating houses of cards
Games (Dominoes, Chess, Checkers, Monopoly, Scrabble)
Albums to save pictures, memorabilia
School supplies
Hair ornaments CD's of age appropriate music
Cooking classes and activities
Lessons (horseback riding, ballet, dance, sewing)
Inexpensive camera to learn to record family events
Microscope or science kits, age appropriate
Rock collection and guide
Parties for friends (including a piñata, pizza parlor, time at an event) Computer games, age appropriate
Binoculars for bird watching

Gifts for the Entire Family

Time together (the most important gift), sports activities and hikes, outings to the zoo, aquariums, museums, picnics at local parks, concert and other event tickets, memberships in family fitness classes, YMCA, YWCA, Bus Pass with movie tickets, gift certificates for movie rentals, family movie nights, a drive to the snow, garden gifts, e.g. trees, bulbs, herbs or flowers to plant together, pet obedience training classes with family dog, donate time together at a "soup kitchen", beach clean-up, tree planting, gift certificates for family activities.

Content provided by the Lead Poisoning Prevention Project of Contra Costa Public Health Division. For more information, call 925-313-6763.