Magnetic Toys in 2025: Are They Still a Risk?

By Elena Fraser, Safety & Compliance Editor | Safety & Standards Column | Childcare Standards Council

In recent years, magnetic toys have become increasingly popular among children and caregivers. From colourful building blocks to intricate puzzles and science kits, magnets bring educational value, motor skill development, and hours of fun.

However, despite their appeal, magnetic toys have long raised concerns regarding safety, particularly when small, powerful magnets are involved.

As we move through 2025, it’s essential for parents, early years providers, and retailers to understand whether magnetic toys still pose a risk and what steps are in place to protect children from harm.

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Understanding the Risk of Magnetic Toys

The core safety issue with magnetic toys lies in their potential for internal injury when swallowed. Small high powered magnets, especially those made from rare earth elements like neodymium, can attract each other through the intestinal walls if ingested.

This can lead to bowel perforation, blockages, infection, or in severe cases, life threatening complications requiring emergency surgery.

Toddlers and young children are naturally inclined to explore objects by putting them in their mouths, which puts them at greater risk. Even older children, who are presumed to know better, have been documented swallowing magnets either accidentally or during play that mimics piercings or braces.

What’s Changed in 2025?

In the past decade, regulators across the globe have taken measures to tighten safety standards around magnetic toys. In the United Kingdom, UKCA marking now replaces CE marking for most toys sold domestically, but both remain important indicators of compliance depending on the market.

In 2025, updated guidance from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) continues to emphasise that toys containing small magnets must:

• Clearly state the presence of magnets on packaging.

• Include age appropriate warnings (typically “Not suitable for children under 36 months”).

• Undergo rigorous testing to ensure magnets cannot be easily detached under reasonable use or abuse conditions.

Meanwhile, the British Standards Institution (BSI) still aligns closely with EN 71 1:2023 and UK Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, ensuring uniform safety expectations across reputable manufacturers.

Are Magnetic Toys Safe if Marked and Tested?

If a magnetic toy is properly labelled, designed for the appropriate age range, and passes the relevant safety tests, it can be considered safe for use under supervision.

However, not all products on the market meet these standards. One continuing challenge in 2025 is the availability of unregulated imports, particularly from online marketplaces.

These products may lack proper warnings or contain high powered loose magnets in quantities or forms not suitable for children.

Parents and educators should therefore:

• Buy only from reputable retailers or brands with visible UKCA or CE compliance.

• Inspect toys regularly for signs of damage or loose components.

• Supervise children, especially under age 6, when playing with toys that contain magnets.

• Avoid novelty items such as magnetic jewellery or desktop stress toys, which may be marketed to adults but end up in children’s hands.

Recent Data and Case Reports

According to NHS England, between 2022 and 2024 there was a slight decline in emergency admissions linked to magnet ingestion in children, thanks to better awareness campaigns and improved product labelling. However, 2024 saw a spike in incidents involving older children, particularly from non toy items bought online.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) reiterated its support for further controls on high powered magnets not intended for toy use, citing ongoing risks from novelty items that find their way into the home.

In response, the UK government in early 2025 proposed a new classification scheme distinguishing between “safe toy magnets” and “restricted general use magnets,” which may lead to future legislation targeting the latter.

Guidance for Parents and Carers

While magnetic toys offer educational benefits, particularly in promoting STEM learning, they are not without risk.

If you’re a parent, carer, or childcare professional, here are some key considerations:

• Check age recommendations before purchase. Many magnetic toys are only safe for children aged 3+ or 6+, depending on the magnet type and size.

• Inspect packaging for UKCA/CE marking, and look for warnings about magnet ingestion.

• Store magnets separately from other toys, especially if they come in large sets with many small pieces.

• Teach children not to put magnets near their mouths or noses.

• Dispose of damaged or incomplete magnetic sets that may pose an ingestion risk.

What to Do in Case of Ingestion

If you suspect a child has swallowed a magnet, or multiple magnets, seek medical attention immediately, even if the child appears to be fine. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever may be delayed but are critical warning signs. Do not induce vomiting or give food or drink until the child has been evaluated by medical professionals.

Final Thoughts: A Balanced, Informed Approach

So, are magnetic toys still a risk in 2025? The answer is nuanced. Thanks to stronger regulations and better public awareness, many magnetic toys on the UK market are safer than they were five or ten years ago. However, risks remain, particularly from unregulated imports and non toy magnets that find their way into homes.

As always, vigilance is key. By choosing quality assured toys, staying up to date with safety guidance, and actively supervising young children, caregivers can strike the right balance between safe play and developmental enrichment.