Play Safety Notes

Messy play is great. Emergency room visits are not. These notes apply to every activity, craft and printable on Puddles & Play.

Stay close

All of our activities are meant for adult-supervised play. For toddlers, that means staying within arm's reach, especially with small items, water or food. Older kids can have more independence, but stay nearby when there are tools, heat or small parts involved.

Choking hazards

Children under 3, and older children who still put things in their mouths, are at the highest risk.

A handy rule of thumb: if an object fits through an empty toilet paper tube, it's too small for kids under 3. (The official U.S. small parts test uses a cylinder about 1.25 inches wide, so the tube check is a little more cautious.)
Common craft and sensory supplies that are choking hazards: beads, pom poms, googly eyes, buttons, dried beans and pasta, marbles, coins, small rocks and bottle caps.
Uninflated or broken balloons can be inhaled. The CPSC warns against letting children under 8 play with them.
Button and coin batteries can cause serious internal burns within hours if swallowed. Keep them, and anything with a loose battery compartment, out of reach.
Small, powerful magnets can cause serious injuries if more than one is swallowed.
Water beads: we don't publish activities with them. They can expand inside the body if swallowed and have caused serious injuries, and the CPSC has warned parents about them.

If your child chokes and can't breathe, cough or cry, call 911. Taking an infant and child CPR class is one of the best things a caregiver can do.

Water play

Young children can drown quickly and silently, even in just a couple of inches of water. That includes sensory tubs, buckets and kiddie pools.

Never leave a child alone with any amount of water, not even for a moment.
Empty bins, buckets and pools as soon as play is over.
Wipe up spills to prevent slips.

Allergies and food play

Check every food-based activity against your child's allergies, and your whole class's if you're a teacher. Common culprits include wheat (play dough), milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts.
Don't eat raw flour or raw dough. The FDA warns that raw flour can carry harmful bacteria like E. coli. For edible or taste-safe dough, use heat-treated flour or a recipe that's cooked.
Use dried foods like rice and oats for sensory play only with close supervision for younger kids, and skip dried beans for children under 3.

Art supplies and tools

Choose art materials labeled non-toxic and suitable for your child's age. In the U.S., look for the AP (Approved Product) seal from the Art & Creative Materials Institute.
Slime activators like borax or saline solution with boric acid should be mixed by an adult. We treat slime as an activity for older kids who won't put it in their mouths.
Hot glue guns are for adults. Low-temperature glue guns may be okay for older kids with close supervision.
Use child-safety scissors, and keep craft knives and sharp tools out of reach.
Keep ribbon, string, yarn and cords away from babies and toddlers, and never leave them in cribs.
Keep plastic bags away from young children.

Outdoors

Use sun protection and offer water on hot days.
Teach kids not to eat any plants, berries or mushrooms they find. Many are poisonous.
Check for ticks after time in grass or woods.

Ages are a guide

Our age ranges are a starting point. You know your child best. Adjust activities for their development, attention span and habits, and skip anything that doesn't feel right.

In an emergency

Emergency: call 911 in the U.S., or your local emergency number
Poison Control (U.S.): 1-800-222-1222, 24 hours a day

Seen a safety issue on our site?

Email [email protected] with the subject "Safety." We review those reports first. Read more about how we handle them in our editorial guidelines.

This page is general safety information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's specific needs.