Handing down your favourite childhood toys to your little one is a lovely way to bond with your children. But new research suggests that they can contain dangerous plastics and metals, so you might want to keep them safely in the attic instead.
But are vintage toys safe? Unfortunately, if you ask the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the answer is a big old “no.” Congress passed a law in 2008 that set the current federal safety standards for all toys made in or imported into the United States.
Playing with old plastic toys may not be good for your child's health. Toxins found in old toys and dress-up items made of plastic. Reuse and recycling of old products helps prevent environmental degradation and can significantly reduce air and water pollution.
The age range for the original Barbie fashion dolls is for kids 3 and up. “We talk to parents and kids almost every day.
With so many toys being manufactured overseas where safety standards are less stringent, there's a high potential of risk. Vintage and antique toys may also contain unacceptable levels of lead. And by “antique,” we don't mean ancient. Toys made in the 1970s and 1980s have been shown to contain high lead levels.
Vintage plastic toys frequently contain toxic heavy metals, particularly lead or cadmium, at concentrations exceeding current restrictions.
Do not let children play with recalled toys, toys manufactured before 1978, and vintage and antique products because older toys and other products may contain lead-based paint. Get information on recalls from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) website or 1-800-638-2772.
As experts would tell you, there is no age limit for dolls. It may seem unusual in this day and age, but several 12-year-olds still play with dolls. And in a world where the internet is widespread, this may be a good thing.
Some kids may lose interest in dolls around the age of 5 or 6, while others may continue to play with them into their pre-teen years. There really isn't a "magic age" at which all children suddenly stop playing with dolls - it varies from child to child.
It is perfectly normal for your daughter to enjoy dolls at 14, or at any age really. No, you should not be worrying.
—Do the smell test.
Toxic softeners in plastic often have that “beach ball” smell. Strong fragrances and perfumes can provoke allergies or asthma. —Lean toward products that are fair-made from natural materials: organic cotton-stuffed animals and wooden blocks, for example.
Your preschooler is sick — again. It could be other kids spreading germs through close contact, but toys could also be the culprit. A new study from Georgia State University found that germs can survive on toys for up to 24 hours.
Check that toys made of fabric can be washed. Choose toys labeled phthalate-free, PVC-free and BPA-free, avoiding plastic toys with recycling codes #3, #6 and #7. Choose paints, crayons, markers and other art materials that say “non-toxic.” Buy the safety gear that goes with the item, such as a helmet with a bike.
The only two methods to accurately test a toy for lead is through a certified XRF Analyzer or by certified laboratory. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, they do not indicate how much lead is present and their reliability at detecting low levels of lead has not been determined.
The most dangerous toys ever made lean heavily towards toys produced during the 60s and 70s. Toys made during this time were notoriously dangerous, as they lacked many of the safety precautions and oversight that we depend upon today.
Lead may be found in the paint of either wooden or plastic toys. It was banned in house paint and other products in the United States in 1978. However, it is still widely used in other countries, and can still be found on toys from other countries.
If a child still wants to play with toys as they move into adolescence, it is totally normal and to be celebrated! Unless a child's play is affecting or replacing real-life friendships, there is no need to worry.
1) Provide your child with only realistic dolls, if possible. If your child has a Barbie or ultra-thin doll or encounters one, explain that this doll is not an accurate representation of a woman's body. 2) Focus on what your child's body and their dolls' bodies can do rather than how they look.
Pollack stresses that a boy playing with dolls is "absolutely normal." And even if the boy would rather play with Barbie over GI Joe regularly, it's still normal. The distinction, says Pollack, is if the child says, "I don't like being a boy" or "I want to be a girl."
Playing with dolls encourages children to talk more about others' thoughts and emotions, a study has found. The research suggests that playing imaginary games with dolls could help children develop social skills, theory of mind and empathy.
A new study from the folks at Let's Play reveals that once kids hit age 9, they stop playing as often.
So what age is good for a dollhouse? Almost any child pre-teen or younger can benefit from dollhouse play, but the sweetest spot is often between four and nine years old. Their imaginations are going full steam, and they're always looking for new ways to pretend.
Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect — even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead. Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated.
Lead exposure can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health issues in adults. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle/joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability, and loss of sex drive.
Is lead poisoning curable? The effects of lead poisoning aren't reversible. But you can reduce blood lead levels and prevent further exposure by finding and removing the sources of lead from your child's home or environment.