How to Buy Safe -- and Fun -- Toys

One of the neatest things about being a parent is that you get to pick out all sorts of fun toys for your children. But although that revives the child within us, it also should remind us that without our adult discretion, those joyful toys can pose a very real hazard to our children.

Toy-related injuries send tens of thousands of adults and children to the emergency room each year. Most injuries occur when parents give their children toys meant for an older age group.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says a good toy should be safe for that child's age, well-constructed and durable, appealing and interesting to the child, suited to the child's physical capabilities and suited to the child's mental and social development. Although there are age ranges given on the packaging of many toys, children within these age ranges vary in abilities and maturity. Take this into account when selecting gifts.

The nonprofit group Safe Kids Worldwide advises you to always supervise your children and use caution with these toys:

• Toys with long strings

• Toys with small, removable parts, sharp points or edges

• Toys that make loud noises, like toy guns and electronic musical devices (mp3 players)

• Propelled toys, including darts and projectiles

So what's left to give a kid? Try some of these age-appropriate toys:

• Infants to 1 year olds: activity quilts, stuffed animals without button noses and eyes, bath toys and squeaky toys.

• 1 to 2 years old: books, blocks, fit-together toys, balls, push-and-pull toys, pounding toys and shape toys.

• 2 to 5 years old: non-toxic art supplies, books, videos, musical instruments and outdoor toys like a baseball tee stand.

• 5 to 9 years old: bicycles, crafts, jump ropes, roller skates, sports equipment and appropriate safety equipment to use with bikes, skates and sports equipment.

• 10 to 14 years old: computers, microscopes, board games and sports equipment.