Toy Bags for Little Ones

2 toy tote bags in pink and blue versions

child's toy tote bag in yellow with mice and daisies print

toy tote bag showing images of gnomes on egg hunt

What exactly are Toy Tote Bags and Handbags?

There are many bags on the market which are made for children but not all of them can be regarded as toys.

Every item made and sold as a “toy” in the UK (except in Northern Ireland where the CE marks still applies) must have UKCA marking.

There is an anomaly in the regulations regarding bags for children which states that those intended purely as fashion accessories, i.e. having no play value, do not require a UKCA mark.

The definition of what constitutes “play value” is not always adhered to. Generally, if it looks like a soft cuddly toy animal or doll, then it’s a toy even if it’s in the shape of a bag. If it has play value, it’s a toy and toy regulations apply.

What does UKCA marking mean for handmade toys?

Firstly only new materials may be used, no recycling.

Testing ensures that toys are safe and appropriate for the age of child for which they are designed.

Each material used in the outer construction of a toy must have been certified as safe from chemicals under EN71-3 rules. This entails lab testing.

The toy must also undergo strength tests to check it won’t fall apart in normal play as well as flammability testing so that, in the unlikely event that it caught fire, the child would have time to drop it before being burned.

Although it is possible for the crafter to conduct and document the necessary physical (EN71-1) and flammability (EN71-2) tests on their handmade toys. The chemical testing can only be carried out by a registered laboratory.

A file of information and evidence must be kept and maintained up-to-date for each variation of a toy.

Whereas the cost of UKCA marking becomes negligible for a large scale producer making and selling thousands of the same toy, for a small scale hand maker it forms a significant part of the cost of each one.

All toy handbags sold by me have been UKCA marked.

I create two different styles of Toy Tote Bag or Toy Handbag for young children.

Toy Tote Bags

Tote bags are suitable from age 18 months.
Each bag is made from 100% cotton fabric for both the outer and lining.
Contrast plain fabric (where used) is linen-look cotton fabric.
Tab closes with velcro making it simple for a young child.
It can be personalised on the flap with the child’s name if desired.
Bag measures 20cm wide x 15cm high (excluding handle)
Hand washable at 30ºC

Toy handbag with zip closure in pink with unicorns and rainbows

Zipped Toy Handbags

Toy Handbags with zips are suitable from 3 years of age. This is due to small parts (zip pull) and the fact that those under 3 years are unlikely to be able to operate a zip.
Each bag is made from 100% cotton fabric for both the outer and lining.
Contrast plain fabric (where used) is linen-look cotton fabric.
Bag measures 20cm wide x 8cm deep and 17cm high (excluding handle)
Hand washable at 30ºC

Gift occasions for Toy Tote and Handbags

Christening or Naming Day gift?

Something for a little girl that’s not a silver plated moneybox, cutlery set or other such item that will be put away and forgotten? This is something she will be able to use, enjoy and remember… a handmade Toy Tote Bag bearing her name.

Thank you gift for a young flower girl at a wedding?

Little girls love to be like Mummy… Remember when you were that age? A Toy Handbag makes the perfect “thank you” gift from a bride to a young attendant.

Young girl with hat and toy glasses with toy handbag on arm

Big Sister gift when there’s a new addition.

Find a special gift for her so that she feels special too when the new arrival is being showered with some. A Toy Bag bearing her name will leave her in no doubt that this gift was chosen just for her.

A birthday, Christmas or other gift for a precious little girl… or boy?

Any little one would be delighted with a handmade Toy Handbag with their name embroidered on it. In the interests of unisex the Toy Tote Bag would appeal to a little boy as well as to a little girl as all very young children love a bag.

Find these in my shop, Ooak Gifts, at The British Craft House

Click here

Links to other pages

Personalised Astrology Jewellery

Keepsake Dolls

Christmas Decorations

collage of felt Christmas tree decorations

Beadwork Jewellery

Toy Bags for Little Ones

What exactly are Toy Tote Bags and Handbags?

What does UKCA marking mean for handmade toys?

Toy Tote Bags

Zipped Toy Handbags

Gift occasions for Toy Tote and Handbags

Links to other pages

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