2016 "10 Worst Toys"

Price: $11.99 Manufacturer or Distributor: Jazwares, LLC Retailer(s): Target, Amazon.com Age Recommendation: “2+ or 3+” (depending on which packaging purchased) Warnings: “WARNING! CHOKING HAZARD-small parts. Not for children under 3 years” (on some packages for sale, not on others) HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This set of four “Peppa Pig” figurines includes an entire “muddy puddles family”. Incredibly, despite the “choking hazard” warning and “3+” age recommendation on the packaging of some toys, other packages of what appear to be the same toys are sold for oral-age children as young as “2+” with no warnings about toy-related hazards.

Price:  $19.99 Manufacturer or Distributor: Kids Time US; Appease Toys Retailer(s): Amazon.com Age Recommendation:  “Age range: >3 years old, Grown-ups” (retailer website only) Warnings: None. Product description on retailer website states in part: “When this elephant pillow [is] for use with infant, it should be under adult supervision” HAZARD:  POTENTIAL FOR SUFFOCATION! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This large, plush pillow in the form of a cuddly stuffed elephant is marketed with an image on the retailer’s website depicting an infant snuggling alone with the plush animal. There are no warnings or age recommendations on the product itself. The hazards associated with pillows sold for infants are well documented. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that a pillow can block a baby’s mouth and can cause a baby to suffocate. “Infant pillow[s]” and “any other similar article[s]” which are “intended or promoted for use by children under one year of age” have been banned by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (16 CFR 1500.18).

Price: $24.99 Manufacturer or Distributor:  Diggin Active, Inc Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com Age Recommendation: “6+” Warnings: “WARNING! Never shoot at any person or animal…” and other warnings, cautions and instructions on package HAZARD:  POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “slimeball launcher” is similar to a slingshot, and is sold with bright green “slimeballs” as ammunition, which can be fired “over 30 feet!” Projectiles launched with such force have the potential to cause serious eye injuries.

Price: $14.88 Manufacturer or Distributor:  ToyQuest Retailer(s): Walmart, Amazon.com, Ebay.com, Sears.com Age Recommendation: “4-12” Warnings: “WARNING! To avoid risk of serious injury or death: …This product does not provide protection. Impact hazard may present; protective equipment (for head, elbows, knees, hands, etc) should be worn (not included),” and other warnings/cautious on package insert, packaging and product HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR IMPACT INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Children as young as 4-years-old are encouraged to “[s]lip into your bumper suit for a “bumpin’ bump ‘em’ fun time!” Children on the packaging are shown running into each other without any “protection” (not included), as recommended by the manufacturer.

Price: $34.48 Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro Retailer(s): Walmart.com, Target.com, Amazon.com, Kmart.com Age Recommendation: “AGES 14+” Warnings: NONE HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The manufacturer of this “blaster” with an “easy-load magazine” encourages “precision battling” during “intense head-to-head competition.” The ammunition provided can shoot with enough force to potentially cause eye injuries. Images on the box depict children wearing masks covering their face and eyes, however the face mask is “not included” and must be purchased separately.

Price: $26.00 Manufacturer or Distributor: Tomy Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Walmart.com, ToyRUs.com Age Recommendation: “3+” Warnings: “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD –Small parts… Not for children under 3 years” (packaging) HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR PUNCTURE WOUND INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “rugged Tyrannosaurus Rex” is a popular children’s movie character marketed as a “Rustler’s worst nightmare.” Operation of the dinosaur by children as young as 3-years-old in order to evoke “galloping action and sounds” requires the push of a button on the toy’s rigid, pointed tail, which may be held close to a child’s torso or face. There exists a potential for significant puncture wound injuries during encouraged playtime activity.

Price: $19.99 Manufacturer or Distributor: TPF Toys, Ltd. Retailer(s): Toys R Us Age Recommendation: “2+” Warnings: None (instructions on packaging: “Adult supervision Required”) HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR STRANGULATION INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Despite the industry’s standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are permitted to market pull toys like the “Peppy Pup,” with a cord measuring approximately 31 inches.

Price: $16.99 Manufacturer or Distributor: I-Star Entertainment, LLC; The Bridge Direct, Inc. Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Sears.com, Ebay.com, BigW.com Age Recommendation: “4+” Warnings:  “Warning! Never aim at eyes or face” (packaging), and other “safety instructions” and warnings on packaging and insert HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE AND FACIAL INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This flying, winged superhero figurine is sold with a launcher for children as young as 4 years old, who are encouraged to “[g]rip it!” and “[r]ip it!” The instructions caution that the Superman character should only be launched “at arm’s length and pointing up and away from your face….”

Price: $19.99 Manufacturer or Distributor:  New Adventures LLC LTD Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Sears.com Age Recommendation: “2+” Warnings:  None HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “Baby Magic” doll, which plays “peek a boo,” comes with a baby bottle, high chair, blanket, food dish, and “interactive spoon.” The slender, rigid plastic spoon is approximately 2 ¾” long, with the potential to be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway.  

Price: $9.99 Manufacturer or Distributor: Jakks Pacific, Inc. Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com Age Recommendation:  “6+” Warnings: “Warning. Not suitable for children under 36 months. Small parts. Choking hazard” (packaging) HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES! W.A.T.C.H. OUT! 6-year-old children are encouraged to “[f]eel the power of the horde!” with the “legendary Doomhammer,” based on weaponry in the “Warcraft” movie. The manufacturer offers no warnings regarding potential impact injuries associated with foreseeable use of the heavy, rigid plastic battle hammer.