With the first day of summer right around the corner, The Toy Association™ is sharing its top tips for outdoor play with parents and caregivers to ensure kids are playing safely while having fun in the sun.

The toy community is also encouraged to share The Toy Association’s warm weather safety infographic on social media, which includes information on shopping safely online and avoiding counterfeits; underscores the importance of adult supervision during play; and includes tips for ride-on safety, proper toy storage, and more.

The Top 5 Tips for safe play this spring and summer are:

• TIP 1: Buy only from reputable sellers. Whether you choose to shop online or in store for your outdoor ride-ons, backyard play equipment, or other toys, be sure you are buying from a reputable, verified seller. Reputable sellers comply with our nation’s strict safety standards, which requires all toys sold in the U.S. to be tested and certified compliant before reaching store shelves.
  
  
• TIP 2: Age matters. Always adhere to a toy’s age grading and safety information. It’s not about how smart your child is — its guidance designed to keep kids safe. For example, toys labeled for ages 3+ might contain small parts that are a choking hazard for children under three (or those who still mouth objects).
  
  
• TIP 3: Ride safely. The whole family should wear helmets and protective gear when using any ride-ons such as bikes, scooters, and skateboards.
  
  
• TIP 4: Store your toys. Keep toys away from pools, driveways, and streets with traffic. This will keep kids away from potentially dangerous situations.
  
  
• TIP 5: Supervise play. Always chaperone play. Homes with swing sets or pools — even very small kiddie pools — require an extra dose of adult supervision during play. It’s especially important to never leave children unattended near water.

Additional tips for safe play year-round can always be found at PlaySafe.org.

Families looking for fun play ideas this summer are also encouraged to download The Genius of Play’s Summer Playbook, which is filled with activities to keep kids occupied and learning during the long summer days. The Genius of Play™ is an initiative spearheaded by The Toy Association to raise awareness about the vital role of play in childhood development.