Magnetic Building Sets

Magnetic building sets have become increasingly popular in recent years, promising endless creativity. But behind their colorful promise lies a serious danger for toddlers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported a sharp rise in emergency room visits due to children swallowing tiny magnets between 2023 and 2025.

When more than one magnet is ingested, they can attract each other through intestinal walls, causing life-threatening injuries like perforations or blockages. Pediatricians warn that toddlers, who love to explore with their mouths, are at the highest risk.

According to a 2024 study published in Pediatrics, magnet ingestion incidents in children under five have doubled since 2021. Many brands have updated their warnings, but these small, shiny pieces remain a real hazard.

Button Batteries in Toys

Button batteries power everything from singing books to light-up toys, but they present a silent threat if accessible to toddlers. Data from the National Capital Poison Center shows more than 3,500 cases of button battery ingestion in U.S.

children annually, with the majority involving children under age five. When swallowed, these batteries can burn through a child’s esophagus in just two hours, causing permanent damage or even death.

The CPSC’s 2023 safety bulletin emphasized stricter regulations and recalls for toys that failed to secure battery compartments. Parents often don’t realize a battery is missing until symptoms like coughing or vomiting appear.

Even with improved packaging, toys with easily accessible batteries should be kept far away from toddlers.

Small Building Blocks

Tiny building blocks, such as those from popular brands, continue to be a favorite among older kids, but they pose a sobering risk for toddlers. Research published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery in 2024 found that small toy parts remain the leading cause of non-food choking incidents in children under three.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has repeatedly stressed that any toy part smaller than 1.25 inches in diameter is unsafe for toddlers. Despite clear age recommendations, many parents underestimate how quickly a curious toddler can find and swallow these blocks.

Choking can happen silently, and in less than a minute. Emergency rooms across the U.S.

report hundreds of such cases every month, making small blocks a clear no-go.

Balloons

Balloons are a staple at birthday parties and celebrations, but they’re also the number one cause of toy-related choking deaths among children, according to the CPSC’s 2024 annual report. When popped or broken, latex balloons create small pieces that are easily inhaled.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that balloons can conform to a child’s airway, making removal almost impossible and cutting off oxygen quickly. Even inflated balloons carry risk if bitten or sucked on by a toddler.

Between 2023 and 2025, reports of fatal accidents involving balloons have remained stubbornly high, despite public awareness campaigns. The risk is so significant that many pediatricians recommend skipping balloons entirely for toddlers.

Water Beads

Water beads, also known as hydrogel or sensory beads, are marketed for their soothing, squishy texture. They’re found in everything from play sets to vases, but they present a growing risk.

A 2023 investigation by the CDC linked dozens of hospitalizations to toddlers swallowing water beads, which expand many times their size inside the digestive tract. This can cause dangerous intestinal blockages requiring surgery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a warning in early 2024 after a spike in water bead-related emergencies. Because they’re colorful and look like candy, toddlers are especially drawn to them.

The rising number of recalls for water bead toys in 2025 underscores the urgency of keeping them out of reach.

Toys with Long Strings or Cords

Toys with long strings, cords, or ribbons may seem harmless, but they’re a strangulation hazard for toddlers. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 200 incidents of strangulation involving toy cords are reported each year in the U.S.

alone. The risk is highest for children under three, who can easily become entangled during unsupervised play.

In 2023, the CPSC updated its guidelines, recommending that any cords on toys for young children be shorter than seven inches. Unfortunately, some plush toys, pull-along animals, and musical mobiles still feature longer cords.

Experts emphasize constant supervision and immediate removal of any toys with cords to prevent tragic accidents.

Old or Hand-Me-Down Toys

Older toys passed down from relatives or found at thrift stores may carry hidden dangers. Many of these toys were manufactured before current safety standards existed.

The CPSC’s 2024 report highlights that older toys often contain small detachable parts, toxic paint (especially those made before 1978), or unsafe battery compartments. Lead exposure from vintage painted toys remains a real risk, with the CDC noting several outbreaks of elevated blood lead levels in toddlers.

Even seemingly sturdy toys may have weakened over time, increasing the risk of breakage and choking hazards. Experts recommend checking all toys against current safety standards and discarding anything that doesn’t meet today’s guidelines.

Toy Guns with Small Projectiles

Toy guns that shoot small foam darts or plastic pellets are widely sold, but they pose multiple risks to toddlers. A 2024 study in the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology reported a spike in eye injuries caused by foam dart guns, with children under five suffering the most severe cases.

These darts and pellets are also a choking hazard if swallowed. The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned that toddlers lack the coordination and judgment needed to play safely with projectile toys.

Despite warning labels, incidents of accidental injury and ingestion have increased as these toys become more powerful and accessible. Pediatricians recommend reserving projectile toys for older children under close supervision.