For optimal safety, it's a good idea to purchase toys in the recommended age range. Toys designed with older children in mind may have small pieces that could pose a choking hazard to your child. Additionally, Dr. Kirkilas points out that toys designed for learning often have more thought put into them, which usually means less safety issues.
He recommends looking for toys from reputable sources and reading reviews prior to purchase. "Toys that often break, fall apart, or cause safety issues will quickly get bad reviews," he adds. "Lastly, you can use the Consumer Product Safety Commission Website to look up or keep track of any toy recalls, which happens more often than most parents realize."