baby enRoute Editorial Team November 7, 2026

Magnetic Tiles: What to Check Before You Buy, and How to Keep Magnets Safe

Magnetic tiles are safe for preschoolers when every magnet stays sealed inside its tile. So before you buy, check the age label and how the set is built, and once they're home, check the tiles every so often for cracks. Health Canada says swallowed magnets can cause serious injuries, especially when a child swallows more than one. If you think your child has swallowed a magnet, get medical help right away, even if they seem fine.

What to check before you buy

The age label. The tile sets we carry are labelled 3 and up. Sets with balls, small connectors or wheels add small parts. Health Canada says to follow the age recommendations, warnings and instructions on magnetic products.
Piece count and shapes. A starter set of squares and triangles is plenty for building flat shapes and boxes. Larger sets add bigger squares for floors and roofs, and special pieces like ramps, arches or wheels.
How it stores. A set that comes with a box or bin is easier to keep together, and easier to count back in.
Mixing brands. Tile sets often look alike, but size and magnet placement can differ. Magfun, for example, says its track fittings are made for Magfun pieces. If you're adding to a set you already have, buy the same brand.

Magnetic toys by age

Ages 1 to 3: big, chunky pieces

Tiles aren't made for this age, but toddler magnetic toys are. The Smartmax My First Sounds and Senses ($39.99) has eight large textured pieces for ages 1 to 3. Our Smartmax guide covers the rest of that toddler line.

Ages 3 and up: tiles and vehicles

The Sprout Tile Race Track ($139.99) has 176 pieces, including ramps, tracks and balls, so children can build towers and then send balls through them. The Magfun 8-in-1 Toy Car Set ($69.99) has 49 magnetic parts that build eight construction vehicles, with a storage box.

Ages 6 and up: tracks and challenges

Older kids can take on bigger builds. The Magfun Shark Roller Coaster ($59.99) is a magnetic track with loops and two cars, for ages 6 and up.

Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. For more gift ideas by age, see our guides for 2-year-olds and 3- to 5-year-olds.

Why magnets need care

Canada's Toys Regulations limit the size and strength of magnets in toys, but a magnet that comes out of a broken tile is still a hazard. Health Canada explains that if a child swallows more than one magnet over a short time, the magnets can pull together inside the intestines, which can tear them or cause a blockage. Children under 10 are most at risk. There may be no signs of distress for days. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

Keeping tiles safe at home

Check the tiles regularly. Look for cracks or split edges, especially after a tile has been stepped on or thrown. Health Canada says to throw away any toy where the magnets have come loose.
If a tile breaks, find every piece and every magnet before you put the set away. Throw the broken tile out.
Keep older children's sets away from babies and toddlers, who put things in their mouths. Play at a table or in a separate room if you have a crawler.
Supervise, and teach older children never to put magnets in their mouths.
Count specialty pieces back in. Balls and small connectors are the easiest to lose under the couch.

Our Smartmax safety questions article answers more questions about magnetic toys for little ones.

If you think a magnet has been swallowed

Health Canada says to seek immediate medical attention if someone swallows, or is suspected of swallowing, one or more magnets, even if they seem well and have no symptoms.