How to Make Safe Baby Toys

Make sure the toy has no sharp edges. Toys should not have edges that could cut into a baby's skin. Feel any material that you are using very carefully and check it closely. Do not use glass or sharp plastic to make a baby toy.

Make sure that all parts of a toy are secured tightly to each other. Wheels on a toy car should not fall off when the car is tugged. Dolls should not have parts that can be easily pulled off. Seams should be sewn securely, as should any doll parts such as buttons or yarn. Mobile parts should remain solidly connected to each other when hung over a crib.

Use non-toxic materials. Phthalates are used to make plastic softer and have been linked to health problems in children. Do not use them to make toys. Look for items that have been certified as safe for babies by manufacturers, such as cloth and dyes.

Make sure the material you use does not pose a chocking hazard. Babies like to place materials in their mouths. Strings should not be longer than seven inches. Purchase a choke tube to check that the items you are using cannot be caught in an infant's windpipe. A simple way to check if something may be a chocking hazard is to use items with a diameter bigger than a medium sized carrot.

Use organic materials. Items that have been certified as organic are traditionally grown without pesticides. You can make a doll or book from organic cotton. You can make a rattle from organically grown squash.