Are Your Child’s Daycare Toys Safe? What Parents Need to Know About Hidden Dangers
As a parent, you’re already doing so much to protect your little one—from baby-proofing your home to carefully choosing which toys they play with. Toys are more than just entertainment—they’re key tools in helping babies and toddlers learn, grow, and explore the world around them. That’s why you take time to research and select the safest options for your child at home. But what about when your child is at daycare?
Are daycares paying the same level of attention to toy safety as you are?
Unfortunately, not all childcare centers prioritize safety the way they should. When they allow unsafe toys into the environment, children can be put at serious risk of injury—or worse. At The Button Law Firm, we’ve worked on too many cases involving children who were hurt due to negligence at daycare, including injuries caused by dangerous toys. That’s why we want to highlight the three most dangerous types of toys we often see in these cases.
Toys With Small Pieces
Toys that contain small parts—like building blocks, puzzles, or even some doll accessories—can pose a serious choking hazard to young children, especially infants and toddlers. These types of toys typically come with an age recommendation, warning that they’re unsafe for children under 3. However, in some daycare settings, these toys are still left out and accessible to younger kids.
What’s even more concerning is when small pieces aren’t immediately visible. Take stuffed animals, for example. If a toy has sewn-on eyes or small plastic attachments, these parts can come loose over time. When they do, a baby might put it in their mouth and accidentally choke if the piece becomes lodged in their airway. Asphyxiation from broken or poorly made toys is a real and preventable danger.
Battery-Operated Toys
Battery-powered toys—especially those using button batteries—are another major concern. While these toys might seem harmless or even educational, many are still manufactured with improperly secured battery compartments.
Button batteries, in particular, are extremely dangerous if swallowed. They can cause serious internal injuries within hours. Despite years of warnings from pediatricians and safety organizations, we continue to see toys with poorly secured batteries in daycare settings. Daycares are responsible for ensuring that any toys with batteries are either completely off-limits to young children or stored securely where children cannot access them.
Toys With Strings or Wires
Toys with strings, cords, or wires might appear cute or useful for development but can quickly become choking or strangulation hazards. Even toys designed for infants, like pull-along animals or crib mobiles, may include strings long enough to become dangerous if not properly monitored.
When a string or cord gets wrapped around a child’s neck, it can quickly cut off their airway—making this one of the most silent and scary hazards in a daycare environment. While these toys might be marketed for young children, they are inappropriate in group care settings like daycare, where close supervision isn't always guaranteed.
How The Button Law Firm Helps Families Understand Daycare Toy Safety
At The Button Law Firm, we’re here to empower families with information that can help prevent tragedies. We believe every parent deserves to know the warning signs of a negligent daycare—and what safe, high-quality childcare should really look like.
That’s why we created a free resource: 10 Tips for Finding a Safe Daycare. In it, you’ll find the red flags to watch for, questions to ask, and tips for choosing a daycare that puts your child’s safety first.
If you believe your child was injured due to unsafe conditions at a daycare, including dangerous toys, please reach out. We’re here to answer your questions, help you understand your options, and guide you through the legal process if needed. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.
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