Toy Association Launches Toy Safety Awareness Month
The sixth annual campaign warns U.S. parents about counterfeit and knockoff toys during the holiday shopping season.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Toddlers
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The Toy Association launched its sixth annual Toy Safety Awareness Month in November, releasing a Toy Shopping Checklist and a tip sheet on identifying knockoff toys. The campaign warns that counterfeit toys may fail federal safety requirements and pose choking and chemical hazards.
Why it matters
Counterfeit toys sold at lower prices can bypass U.S. safety standards, putting children at risk during the holiday shopping season. The guidance aims to help parents recognize products that may not comply with federal toy safety laws.
A Wakefield Research survey of 1,000 U.S. parents found 87% say a counterfeit toy's lower price is not worth the safety risk, while 84% believe knockoff squishy toys are safe and 35% view age labels as mere suggestions. The survey does not indicate how many counterfeit toys are currently sold in the U.S.
The players
The Toy Association
The Toy Association is the national trade group for the U.S. toy industry, which runs annual toy safety education campaigns for consumers.
The details
The Toy Association shares safety guidance through social media and at playsafe.org throughout November. It recommends checking packaging and products for manufacturer information, age labels, safe-use instructions, and company contact details before purchase.
Timeline
November 2026: Toy Safety Awareness Month guidance campaign runs.
November 2, 2026: The Toy Association announced Toy Safety Awareness Month.
Roadmap
Counterfeit toys sold outside authorized channels may fail federal toy safety requirements that apply to products sold in the United States. The campaign extends those standards into consumer purchasing choices, particularly during the holiday shopping period.
Parents shopping for holiday gifts can check packaging for manufacturer details, age labels, and safe-use instructions before buying. Products priced far below retail may signal counterfeit goods that do not meet U.S. safety rules.
The takeaway
Before buying toys this holiday season, check for manufacturer information, age labels, and company contact details. A price far below retail can be a warning sign that a product may not meet safety standards.
Further reading
For more on early childhood safety, explore our Toddlers coverage.
More information
Find the Toy Association holiday safety resources and checklist on the playsafe.org site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Toy Book.
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Would you buy a cheaper knockoff toy to save money for your kids?
