Safe Crafting with Children in the UK: Age Labels, Glue and Scissors
Crafting with children in the UK is safest when you match materials to the age on the label, keep small parts away from under-threes, choose toys and craft kits that carry a UKCA or CE mark and the maker's details, and stay close by whenever scissors, glue guns or slime are involved. Most accidents come from small objects being swallowed, sharp tools and hot equipment, so a little preparation goes a long way. This guide is general information for families, not legal advice.
Read the age label and warnings first
Craft kits designed for children to play with are generally treated as toys. The GOV.UK guidance on the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 defines a toy as a product designed or intended for use in play by children under 14. Toys must carry warnings about age-related hazards, and those warnings must be preceded by the word "Warning" or "Warnings".
Schedule 5 of the Regulations sets out the specific wording you are likely to see:
| Wording on the pack | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| "Not suitable for children under 36 months" (or "under three years", or a 0–3 pictogram) | The product may be dangerous for babies and toddlers. A short note, sometimes in the instructions, explains the hazard, often small parts. |
| "Not suitable for children under (age) years. For use under adult supervision" | Used on chemical toys, such as kits that cause a chemical reaction, including some ceramic and enamelling sets. |
| "To be used under the direct supervision of an adult" | Used on functional toys, which work like a smaller version of a real appliance or tool. |
| "Contains fragrances that may cause allergies" | Found on some scented kits, such as play cosmetic kits. |
An age label is a safety minimum, not a guide to skill level. A kit marked 6+ is not automatically safe for a younger sibling sitting at the same table.
Small parts and choking
Young children explore with their mouths. The NHS advice on choking highlights small objects such as marbles, beads and button batteries, and says the best prevention is keeping them out of a child's reach.
Common craft items that count as small parts include:
- beads, sequins, buttons and gems
- googly eyes and small pom-poms
- pen lids, rubber tips and broken crayon pieces
- magnets and button batteries in light-up or moving kits
In mixed-age households, run small-part crafts at a table toddlers cannot reach, use a tray with a lip to stop beads rolling onto the floor, and count pieces back into a lidded box when you finish. Lidded containers from craft storage make tidying up quicker.
UKCA and CE marks: what to look for
A toy sold in Great Britain must meet the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. GOV.UK guidance confirms that businesses can use either the UKCA or the CE marking for toys placed on the GB market. Northern Ireland has its own version of the guidance. The marking should be visible on the toy, on a label or on the packaging.
When you buy a children's craft kit, check for:
- a UKCA or CE mark;
- a clear age range and any "Warning" text;
- the manufacturer's name and contact address, plus a type, batch or model number so the product can be traced;
- clear instructions for use.
Hobby materials sold for adults, such as resin, craft knives or fine wire, are not toys and will not carry toy markings. That does not make them suitable for children; it means the adult is responsible for deciding when and how they are used. You can search the government's product safety alerts, reports and recalls by category, including toys, if you want to check a product. Browse kids' crafts and kits for materials designed for younger makers.
Glue, slime, paint and other materials
Glue
- Glue sticks and PVA are the usual starting point for young children.
- Hot glue guns reach temperatures that can burn skin, and the nozzle stays hot after switching off. Keep them for adults or older children under close supervision, use a heat-resistant mat, and never leave a plugged-in gun unattended.
- Solvent-based and spray adhesives are adult products. Use them in a well-ventilated room, away from children, and follow the label.
Slime
Many slime recipes use boron-based activators such as borax. The Regulations set a migration limit for boron in toys, which is 300 mg/kg for liquid or sticky toy material, and slime has been the subject of product safety alerts for exceeding it. If you make slime at home, an adult should handle and measure the activator, children should not put slime near their mouths, and everyone should wash their hands afterwards. Do not offer slime to children under three.
Paints, clay and dough
Choose paints, crayons and modelling dough sold for children's use, cover surfaces and clothes, and keep drying clay and paint pots away from toddlers. You will find glue, felt, clay and other general materials in craft supplies; read the age guidance on each item before use.
Scissors and cutting tools
- Give young children small, round-ended scissors that fit their hand, and teach them to carry scissors closed with the points down.
- Show them how to cut away from fingers and to keep the other hand behind the blade.
- Craft knives, scalpels and rotary cutters are adult tools. Store them separately, with blades retracted or guarded.
- Pinking shears and sewing scissors are sharper than children's scissors, so keep them out of the shared craft box.
A sensible supervision plan
There is no single legal rule on supervision at home, so use the age labels and your knowledge of your child. As a starting point:
| Age | Suitable activities | Supervision |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | Chunky crayons, large paper, finger painting with child-safe paint | Constant, within arm's reach; no small parts |
| 3 to 5 | Glue sticks, collage, round-ended scissors, dough | Adult at the table |
| 6 to 9 | Kits labelled for their age, simple sewing with blunt needles, beads | Adult nearby; adult handles hot or chemical steps |
| 10 and over | More detailed kits, guided use of a low-temperature glue gun | Agreed rules, adult checks tools before and after |
Safe craft space checklist
- Read the age label and any "Warning" text before opening a kit.
- Look for a UKCA or CE mark and the manufacturer's name and address.
- Keep beads, magnets and button batteries away from under-threes.
- Adults handle hot glue, solvents, slime activators and sharp blades.
- Ventilate the room when using strong-smelling products.
- Wash hands after glue, clay, paint and slime.
- Count small pieces back into lidded storage when you finish.
If older children start selling what they make, read our guide to selling handmade crafts in the UK, as items made for children have extra rules.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Not suitable for children under 36 months' mean?
It is a warning required under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 for toys that might be dangerous to children under three, often because of small parts. It must be accompanied by a brief indication of the specific hazard.
Should children's craft kits have a UKCA or CE mark?
Yes. Craft kits designed for children to play with are generally treated as toys, and GOV.UK guidance confirms toys placed on the Great Britain market can carry either the UKCA or the CE marking.
Is slime safe for children?
Slime sold as a toy must meet a boron migration limit of 300 mg/kg for liquid or sticky material, and some products have been recalled for exceeding it. Supervise slime play, keep it away from mouths, wash hands afterwards and avoid it for under-threes.
At what age can children use scissors?
There is no fixed legal age. Young children can start with small round-ended scissors under close supervision, while craft knives and rotary cutters should stay adult-only.
Can children use a hot glue gun?
Hot glue guns can burn skin and the nozzle stays hot after switching off, so they are best kept for adults or older children under close supervision on a heat-resistant mat.