Age marks on ALEX Toys sets, explained

Two different things share one number on a toy box: a safety floor and a patience guess. The safety floor is set by regulation and covers small parts, cords and magnets. Obey it exactly. The patience guess is the manufacturer's view of who will enjoy the activity, and it is reliably optimistic.

Under three

Bath toys, chunky boards and peel-and-stick sheets. Nothing with beads, nothing with a needle, nothing that has to dry before it can be touched.

Three to five

Scribble pads, mosaics with large pieces, tub crayons, first puzzles. Steps should be visible in a picture rather than written down.

Six to eight

First sewing kits, loom bracelets, simple science sets. A child this age can follow a short printed card and wait for glue to dry, but still wants a result inside one afternoon.

Nine and up

Needlepoint, duct tape fashion, multi-stage experiments, anything wearable. The reward here is a finished object good enough to give away.

Every card on this site repeats the mark printed on the box. If you spot one that disagrees with the packaging, write to [email protected].