Kids & Baby

Toys, baby gear and school supplies from partner stores, with last-checked prices and genuine list-price discounts.

Buying toys and baby gear: safety before price

With children's products the question is not only whether something is good value but whether it is safe for this child's age. Safety marks, age labels and a few specific hazards matter more than brand or discount, and they are easy to check before you buy.

Safety marks and age grading

Toys sold in Europe must carry the CE mark and toys sold in the United States are tested to the ASTM F963 standard. The age label is a safety rating, not a skill rating: "0–3" warnings usually mean small parts that a young child can choke on. Follow the label even if the child seems advanced for their age.

• Avoid toys with loose magnets or button batteries for young children unless the battery compartment is screwed shut.
• Unbranded copies of popular toys are often not tested at all; the mark may be printed without the test behind it.

Strollers, car seats and cots

For car seats, buy new and check that the seat meets the standard of the country where it will be used (for example ECE R129 in Europe). A second-hand car seat may have been in a crash with no visible damage. For strollers, check the folded size against your car boot and the weight you can lift. Cots and mattresses should fit together without gaps.

LEGO, puzzles and building sets

For building sets, the set number on the box is the easiest way to compare listings and to spot incomplete or copied sets. "Retired" sets are sold above their original price; a listing that says "bricks only" or "no box, no instructions" should cost noticeably less. For puzzles, the piece count and age range tell you more than the picture.

• Used sets: ask whether every minifigure and piece is included.
• Compare the delivered price; large boxes cost a lot to ship abroad.

Second-hand and returns

Plush toys and clothes are easy to buy used; anything a baby puts in the mouth is better bought new. Recalled products still appear on resale sites, so search the product name with the word "recall" before buying used baby gear.

How this page works

Products from our own partner feeds appear first, in our usual order. Live eBay listings are shown in a separate, labelled section in eBay's own order; commission never changes either order. Prices come from the store at the time shown, and the store page has the final word.