Knockoff Toys Pose Hidden Safety Risks for Kids
Parents shopping for toddlers can use new guidance to spot counterfeit toys that may fail federal safety requirements.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Toddlers
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The Toy Association launched the sixth annual Toy Safety Awareness Month, sharing guidance throughout November to help U.S. families spot unsafe counterfeit toys. The campaign arrives alongside a Toy Shopping Checklist and a squishy toy tip sheet for parents buying holiday gifts.
Why it matters
Counterfeit toys can fail federal safety requirements and pose choking and chemical hazards, which makes recognizing a knockoff a direct safety issue for young children. The campaign comes ahead of the holiday shopping season, when many families buy toys online or from unfamiliar sellers.
The figures come from a Wakefield Research survey of 1,000 U.S. parents, which measured attitudes toward counterfeit toys and age labels rather than injury outcomes. The survey shows that many parents underestimate the risk, with 84% believing knockoff squishy toys are safe for play.
The players
The Toy Association
The Toy Association is the trade group for the U.S. toy industry, which runs annual toy safety education campaigns.
Wakefield Research
Wakefield Research is a market research firm that conducted the survey of U.S. parents on counterfeit toys and age labels.
The details
Counterfeit toys are often sold at lower prices and may not meet U.S. toy safety laws, meaning they can lack required testing and labeling. The Toy Association recommends checking packaging and products for manufacturer information, age labels, safe-use instructions, and company contact details before buying.
Timeline
The sixth annual Toy Safety Awareness Month was announced on November 2, 2026.
Guidance is shared throughout November 2026 on social media and at playsafe.org.
Health Landscape
Toy safety in the United States rests on federal requirements that counterfeit products may fail to meet, so the issue is one of product compliance rather than individual behavior alone. Annual awareness campaigns like this one place responsibility on parents to check labels and sellers before purchase.
Before buying toys for young children, it is worth checking packaging for manufacturer details, age labels, and safe-use instructions, especially for low-priced or unfamiliar items. Parents who give toddlers squishy or novelty toys may want to treat age recommendations as meaningful safety guidance rather than suggestions.
The takeaway
Checking manufacturer details, age labels, and safe-use instructions is a simple step before buying any toy for a young child. If you have concerns about a toy's safety or a child's exposure to a hazard, talk with your child's pediatrician.
What happens next
The Toy Association will share additional Toy Safety Awareness Month guidance on social media throughout November 2026.
Further reading
For more on keeping young children safe with everyday playthings, explore our Toddlers coverage.
More information
Read the Toy Association holiday safety resources and checklist for the shopping checklist and safety guidance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Toy Book.
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