Name labels for toys for preschool and after-school care
Name labels for toys should be placed on a smooth, clean and dry surface of hard plastic, metal or glass, preferably on the underside where the label is not worn or picked off. A standard self-adhesive name label suits most toys, a small label suits small parts, and a large label is visible on a sled or kick scooter. The labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C, but on toys for children under 3, the label should be placed where the child cannot reach it with their mouth.
Here we go through which toys commonly change owners at preschool and after-school care, where the label stays in place, which materials do not work, and what the label can withstand when toys are washed.
Which toys need a name label?
What goes missing is rarely the unique toy. It is the one that exists in ten identical copies: the same toy car from the same store, the same action figure, the same red shovel in the sandbox. When three children have identical items, it is impossible to tell whose is whose, and it ends up in the preschool's communal box or goes home with the wrong child.
Label these first:
- Toys brought from home to preschool and after-school care, for example on a toy day or for rest time. Ask the staff what may be brought; the rules vary between preschools.
- Sand toys: bucket, shovel, mold and sieve look the same for everyone and are left in the sandbox.
- Larger outdoor items such as sleds, snow sliders and kick scooters, which are placed in the same pile by the gate.
- Games, puzzles and construction sets that are lent to a friend or taken to a party.
- Toys taken on trips and camps, where many children's belongings are packed together.
Stuffed animals and other fabric toys are a separate topic because the label does not stick to the fabric. You can find more information about labeling at preschool in general on the page about name labels for preschool.
Name labels for toys: choose the size based on the toy
Lappu has three formats. All are self-adhesive and do not require an iron. Choose based on the size of the toy's smooth surface, not the size of the toy.
| Toy | Format | Where the label is placed |
|---|---|---|
| Toy car, train, figure, plastic doll | Standard name labels | Under the car or on the back of the figure |
| Small figures, pocket-sized cars, game pieces | Small name labels | On the underside or the largest flat surface |
| Bucket, shovel, sand mold | Standard name labels | On the outside of the bucket near the bottom, on the shovel handle where it is flat |
| Game box, puzzle box, construction set | Standard name labels | On both the box and the lid |
| Sled, kick scooter, large toy car | Large name labels | Where the name is immediately visible, on a flat, smooth surface |
A set of standard name labels has 124 labels from SEK 139. Large name labels come in sets of 30 for SEK 139, and small name labels cost SEK 129. All labels in a set have the same text.
Where should the label go on the toy?
A name label on a toy usually comes loose because it is placed where the toy is used most roughly. Find the spot that moves the least.
- The underside is best on cars, trains, and figures with flat feet. An adult can see the label when turning over the toy, but it does not scrape against hands.
- Avoid wheels, joints, and moving parts. The label bends every time the part moves and comes loose at the edge.
- Avoid grip areas. Where the child holds the toy, handling wears down the adhesive and fingernails pry up the edge.
- Avoid edges that scrape against floors, asphalt, or sand. On a bucket, the label adheres better slightly higher up on the outside than right at the edge.
- Choose the flattest surface. A label over a pronounced curve or a joint will lift at the corners.
Material: what the label sticks to
| Material | Does it work? | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Hard plastic | Yes | The most common toy surface. Wipe off grease and dust first. |
| Metal | Yes | For example, metal toy cars and the frame of a scooter. |
| Glass | Yes | Rare on toys, but works. |
| Wood, painted or varnished | Not specified | Lappu does not list wood among the materials. Try a label on the underside first and check it after one day. |
| Silicone, soft, and stretchy materials | No | Silicone bath toys and teething toys will not hold the label. |
| Fabric without a care label | No | The label sticks to the care label, not the fabric itself. |
| Uneven or ridged surface | Not suitable | The adhesive only sticks to the raised areas. Look for a smooth section. |
Rule of thumb: if a fabric toy has no care label, or if the toy is made of silicone, a self-adhesive name label is the wrong choice. For fabric without a care label, an iron-on name label is safer. Lappu does not sell it; we only make self-adhesive labels.
How to attach the name label to a toy
- Clean the surface. Toys often have fingerprints, food residue, or sand on them. Wash or wipe with a little dish soap and water.
- Let it dry completely. The adhesive will not stick to a damp surface, so wait until the toy is dry even in the joints.
- Press the label down firmly. Press for about ten seconds and pay extra attention to the corners.
- Wait one day. The adhesive needs about 24 hours to cure. Do not wash the toy before then.
Toys in the dishwasher and washing machine
Many preschools wash toys regularly. The Public Health Agency's guidance on hygiene says that toys can be cleaned in a washing machine or washed by hand or in a dishwasher, and that heat-resistant toys can, if necessary, be boiled covered for at least five minutes.
Lappus name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C, machine-washable up to 60°C and suitable for tumble drying. Boiling is hotter than that, and the label may come loose. If the preschool has a routine of boiling the toys, choose another toy to bring or expect to apply a new label afterward. Read more about what the name labels can withstand.
Small children: the label must not become a small part
A name label that comes loose is a small, flat piece. The Swedish Consumer Agency reminds us that small children explore things by putting them in their mouths, that small parts can suffocate small children, and that children under 3 years old should not use toys with small parts. This also applies to anything you attach to the toy yourself.
- Place the label where the child cannot reach it with their mouth, for example underneath a larger toy, or label the bag or box in which the toy is stored.
- Do not label teething toys or anything the child sucks on.
- Follow the Swedish Consumer Agency's advice for toys in general: feel and pull the label occasionally. If a corner has lifted, remove the label completely.
- Keep the sheet with loose labels out of reach of children under 3 years old and attach the labels yourself.
Motif and text the child recognizes
A child who cannot read can still recognize a picture. Choose a motif, such as a bear or a rainbow, and use the same motif on all of the child's belongings. Then the child can point out their car in the box, and the staff can quickly see whose it is. Lappus name labels with motifs include animals, rainbows and hearts, as well as simple labels without motifs.
The first name is usually enough. If siblings have the same types of toys, the last name or initials can make one set work for everyone. A phone number fits on the second line, which helps if the toy is forgotten at a friend's house or on the playground.
Games, puzzles and building sets: label the box
It is not possible to label every puzzle piece or building block, and it is not necessary either. Label what keeps everything together:
- Both the box and the lid. Lids and boxes easily end up in different piles, and an unlabeled lid cannot be matched up.
- A bag or jar with a lid for loose pieces, labeled with a regular name label.
- The largest pieces, such as a building plate or a game board, with a small label on the back.
Example: labeling toys for preschool and after-school care
Calculation example using Lappu's prices. A child brings a toy car, two figures, a bucket and spade for the sandbox, and a game with a box and lid. That makes seven regular name labels. With 124 labels for SEK 139, one label costs approximately SEK 1.12, so labeling the toys costs just under SEK 8. The remaining 117 labels in the set go on clothes, shoes, and lunch boxes.
If the sled and scooter also need to be labeled with large name labels, that makes 2 of 30 labels for SEK 139, approximately SEK 4.63 each. The rest fit on backpacks, water bottles, and sports bags.
If the label comes off: common causes
- The toy was dirty or greasy. Wash it, let it dry, and apply a new label.
- The label is on a curved surface, an edge, or a ridged surface. Move it to the flattest part, often the underside.
- The toy was washed before the adhesive had time to cure. Wait a full day next time.
- The toy has been boiled or washed at temperatures above 60°C. The label cannot withstand that.
- The toy is made of silicone or soft, stretchy material. Label the storage instead.
- The child picks at or chews the label. Remove it and place the label where it cannot be reached, or on the box.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find small name labels for small toys?
Lappu sells small name labels for SEK 129 per set. They are suitable for small figures, game pieces, and other items where a regular label will not fit. Read more in the guide to small name labels for pacifiers, pens, and small items.
Which are the best name labels for toys?
Toys need a self-adhesive label that is dishwasher-safe and adheres to plastic and metal. We compared the five most common brands in our own review of the best name labels 2026, including the price per label and what they can withstand.
Can I make my own name labels for free?
You can write the name with a waterproof marker or on a piece of tape. This works for a while, but the text wears off from hands and sand, and the tape often comes off in the dishwasher. Printed labels are made to withstand the dishwasher.
Where can I buy name stickers?
You design them online: enter the name, choose a motif, color, and font, and see the result immediately. Lappu prints the labels in the EU, and they arrive in your mailbox within a few business days. You have a 60-day satisfaction guarantee from delivery.
Can the name label withstand washing the toy?
Yes, the labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C once the adhesive has cured for 24 hours. They cannot withstand boiling, so a toy that is boiled needs a new label afterward.
Find more ideas for small items in the guide to small name labels, and see the comparison in best name labels 2026.