Soft Toy Safety Guide
(what to look for, and why it matters)
Soft toys live a different kind of life from most other toys.
They are held close, slept with hugged tightly, chewed on, tucked into bags and backpacks and taken everywhere a small person goes. Out of every toy in the house, the soft ones are usually the ones a child has the most physical contact with.
Which is exactly why every detail of a soft toy matters more than it might first appear. All the components from the stitching, to the fabric and the filling. A plush toy that feels lovely on the outside can still hide problems with loose seams, parts that come away, fillings that shift, or materials that simply don't hold up over time.
The good news? Knowing what to look for makes choosing a safe stuffed amimal much simpler than it sounds. As someone who designs soft toys for a living, and who has spent years working with young children as a Speech Pathologies before prior, here's what we've learned really matters.
How soft toys are tested (and why it matters)
When you pick up a soft toy in a shop, how do you actually know it's safe?
The short answer is testing.
In Australia and internationally, soft toys made for children are tested against recognised safety standards before they're sold. One of the most widely used is EN 71, the European Toy Safety Standard, which is also accepted in many countries beyond Europe.
EN 71 testing isn't about how a toy looks. It's about how it actually performs in the hands (and mouths) of a real child and includes:
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Mechanical and physical testing
Toys are pulled, twisted, dropped, and stressed to check that seams don't split, parts don't detach, and small pieces can't become choking hazards. -
Flammability testing
Materials are tested to ensure they don't ignite easily or burn quickly if they come into contact with heat. -
Chemical testing
Fabrics, dyes, and fillings are tested for harmful substances, including heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that could be absorbed through skin or mouth contact.
That last one matters more than parents often realise. Children's bodies are still developing, and they often hold their toys close to their face, chew or suck on them and fall asleep with them pressed in tight. A toy that fails chemical testing isn't a one-off worry and it's something a child is exposed to every day.
What's on the inside (and on the surface)
When it comes to soft toys, what you can't see matters just as much as what you can.
Lower-quality toys can use unstable dyes that bleed or transfer onto skin and clothing, chemical finishes that give off a strong smell, or poor-quality fillings that shift, clump, or break down after only a few washes. None of those things are easy to spot in a photograph.
A well-made soft toy uses dyes that stay where they're meant to, fabrics that feel and smell clean from the very first cuddle, and fillings that hold their shape over years of love and laundry. If a plush toy arrives with a strong chemical smell, visible dye transfer, or a filling that already feels lumpy, that's a sign to look more carefully at where it was made and how it was tested.
If something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct. A parent’s instinct — or a baby’s first reaction — is often more honest than the marketing.
Safe construction: what to check
A safe soft toy starts with how it's put together.
Look for:
- Tight, even stitching with no loose threads or visible gaps in the seams.
- Firmly attached limbs and features that don't shift or stretch when gently tugged.
- Embroidered features rather than glued or plastic parts — especially for younger children. Eyes, noses, and small details that are sewn directly into the fabric simply can't come off.
A simple test: gently pull on the ears, arms, or tails. They should feel solid — not like they might loosen over time. If something gives or stretches noticeably, it's likely to give way completely after a few weeks of cuddles.
Choosing a well-made toy really does make a difference, especially when you're choosing a comfort toy that will be carried, loved, and slept with every day.
Age suitability
Age labels exist for a reason. They reflect how a toy is designed to be used and how a child of that age is likely to interact with it.
For babies and younger children, simpler really is safer:
- No detachable parts — small pieces are choking hazards.
- Shorter, non-shedding fabrics — long fibres can be inhaled by very young children.
- Soft, embroidered features rather than buttons, plastic eyes, or sewn-on accessories.
Even a toy that looks gentle isn't always suitable for every age. When in doubt, particularly when choosing a baby gift pick the simpler option for the youngest child in the home.
A note on safe sleep
Soft toys often become part of bedtime routines, and that's a beautiful thing. But for the youngest babies, it's important to follow safe sleep guidance. See our why children bond with soft toys guide.
Australian safe sleep recommendations are clear: babies under 12 months should sleep in a clear cot — without soft toys, pillows, bumpers, or loose bedding. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of suffocation during sleep.
That doesn't mean soft toys don't have a place in your baby's life. They very much do. They can be part of:
- supervised cuddles and play during the day
- settling and bedtime routines before sleep
- comfort during quiet, awake moments
They simply shouldn't be left in the cot once your baby is asleep. As children grow past their first year, this becomes less of a concern, and that's often when a forever friend truly settles in.
Where you buy from matters
Not every stuffed animal is designed as a children's toy. Some are decorative or collectible pieces, and may not be made to the same safety standards, even if they look similar on a shelf.
This is one of the most important things to know as a parent. The same shape and softness can hide very different stories about how something was made, tested, and intended to be used.
Buying from trusted brands or retailers means:
- Clear labelling that shows where and how the toy was made.
- Known, traceable materials rather than vague descriptions.
- Proper safety testing to recognised standards.
Before you buy, take a moment to look on the woven label for the testing standards the toy has been certified to, and check that they comply with the standards in your country.
Safety, without the worry
Choosing a safe soft toy doesn't need to feel overwhelming. It really comes down to three things:
- noticing the details
- choosing something well made
- thinking about how it will actually be used
Find a forever friend
Every soft toy we create at and the little dog laughed is designed with both comfort and safety in mind. Each one is tested to EN 71 standards (and to our own additional checks), and made to be held, loved, and taken on adventures big and small, including the occasional splash in a puddle.
