Choosing a First Gonk for a Baby or Toddler

A gonk can make a lovely first Christmas present for a baby or toddler. But most gonks in the shops are sold as decorations, not toys, and that matters when a little one will be chewing, cuddling and dragging it around. Here is a simple checklist.

This is general information for UK parents, not medical advice.

1. Make sure it's a toy

Look for a gonk that is clearly sold as a soft toy, not an ornament. Toys sold in Great Britain must meet the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 and should carry a UKCA or CE mark, with the name and address of the company responsible. If the label says "decoration only" or "not a toy", save it for a high shelf.

2. Check the age rating

A toy's label shows the age it is suitable for. For a baby, look for "suitable from birth" or "0+". Avoid anything with the crossed-out "0-3" symbol, which means not suitable for children under 36 months.

3. Look closely at the face

The nose is the only feature most gonks have, so check it. For babies and toddlers, an embroidered or sewn fabric nose is best. Plastic noses, beads, buttons and pom-poms can come loose.

4. Feel the beard

Long, fluffy faux fur beards look great on a mantelpiece, but some shed fibres when tugged. Short-pile plush or a knitted beard is better for a toddler. Give it a gentle pull in the shop: if fibres come away easily, choose another.

5. Avoid hidden extras

• No weighted filling. Sand, rice or pellets help decorative gonks sit upright but shouldn't be in a baby's toy.
• No sequins or glitter, which can come off.
• No wire in the hat or legs.
• No batteries. Light-up gonks are best kept for older children and adults.
• No long loops or strings, which can be a strangulation risk.

6. Choose something washable

Toddler toys get sticky. A gonk that can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, in a pillowcase, will last much longer. Check the care label before you buy. Our guide on cleaning and storing gonks has more tips.

7. Keep it out of the cot

Safe sleep advice from The Lullaby Trust is to keep a baby's cot clear of soft toys, pillows and bumpers. A gonk can be a daytime friend, but it shouldn't go into the cot with a young baby.

8. Buy from a seller you trust

Toy industry testing has repeatedly found serious safety failures in toys bought from third-party sellers on online marketplaces. Buy from retailers and brands you recognise, and check the listing for a UKCA or CE mark and age rating. Handmade gonks can be wonderful, but if they're meant as toys they must meet the same rules, so ask the maker.

The quick checklist

For the full picture, read are gonks safe for children?, or browse soft toy gonks in our shop.