2025 "10 Worst Toys"

Price: $5.78
Manufacturer or Distributor: Moose Toys, LLC
Retailer(s): Walmart; Moosetoys.com
Age Recommendation: “5+”
Warnings: “WARNING: Do not aim at eyes or face! Do not launch at close range. Protective eyewear advised.…”, and other warnings/cautions.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These colorful, stretchy “slingers” are sold for children to “stretch” and “sling…sky-high!” The projectile force is generated with a “max stretch” of “23 [inches]”. Despite the recommended use of protective eyewear, no safety gear is provided.

Price: $24.97
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
Retailer(s): Walmart; Hasbro.com; Target.com
Age Recommendation: “5+”
Warnings: “WARNING: Small parts may be generated (box); “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts may be generated. Not for children under 3 years” (package insert).

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT FORCE AND IMPACT INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! 5-year-old children are encouraged to play with the Marvel Avengers “smash fists”, emulating the popular “Hulk” comic figure. No warnings or cautions are provided regarding the potential for blunt force or impact injuries.

Price: $34.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hape
Retailer(s): Walmart.com; The Red Balloon Toy Shop
Age Recommendation: “10-36 months”
Warnings: “WARNING: Do not use close to the ear!”, and other cautions/warnings on box.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Babies as young as 10 months old are invited to “[l]ove play, learn” with a xylophone sold with multi-colored blocks in various shapes. The manufacturer provides no warnings regarding the slender, rigid, approximately 5 ¾-inch-long drumstick, which can potentially be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway.

Price: $7.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
Retailer(s): Kohl’s; Hasbro.com; Walmart.com
Age Recommendation: “14+” (packaging); “Ages 14 and up” and “Age: 8 years & up” (online)
Warnings: “TO AVOID EYE INJURY: WARNING: Do not aim at eyes or face. Use of eyewear always required.…” and other warnings/cautions.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “Gelfire Ignitor” is a “blaster” sold for children, with a “60-Round Capacity” for projectiles. Remarkably, despite being sold for children online and in the toy aisle, a disclaimer states that “[t]his is not a toy.”

Price: $7.00
Manufacturer or Distributor: Target Corp.
Retailer(s): Target; Target.com
Age Recommendation: “Ages 2+”
Warnings: “CAUTION: Play food. For pretend play only. Do not eat or use with real food or liquids,” and other cautions/warnings.

HAZARD POTENTIAL FOR PUNCTURE AND INGESTION INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “snack play set” comes complete with various small replicas of snack foods, as well as a fork and knife made of rigid plastic. The utensils may potentially be mouthed by oral age children and also present the potential for puncture wounds.

Price: $54.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Folkmanis, Inc.
Retailer(s): Barnes & Noble; Folkmanis.com; Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “Not suitable for children under 10 months.…”; “Recommended: Ages 3 and up” (tag); “3 months and up” (Amazon.com)
Warnings: “Caution! Not suitable for children under 10 months due to long hair” (tag)

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This soft, floppy sheepdog “puppet” is sold with inconsistent age recommendations. The toy puppet’s long, fiber-like hair may not be adequately rooted. The hair, once removed, presents the potential for ingestion or aspiration injuries.

Price: $24.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Zuru, Inc.
Retailer(s): Michaels Stores, Inc. (“Michaels”); Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “0+” (tag); “For ages 3 and up” (Michaels.com)
Warnings: “Warning. Remove all packaging before giving the product to a child.”

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR SUFFOCATION INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This soft, plush toy is sold with an age recommendation of “0+” on the toy. The potential suffocation hazards associated with pillows and certain plush toys used by infants are well documented. Infant pillows and similar items have been banned by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (16 CFR 1500.18).

Price: $12.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Madame Alexander Doll Company, LLC
Retailer(s): Barnes & Noble; MadameAlexander.com; Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “0+ (tag only); “Age Ranges: 18 Months to 8 Years” (Barnesandnoble.com)
Warnings: None

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These dolls are sold for infants, complete with sleepwear. The outfit includes a cloth headband with bow, attached only by a thin cord. Once removed, these items may potentially present a choking hazard.

Price: $29.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: FAO Schwarz
Retailer(s): Target; FAOSchwartz.com
Age Recommendation: “Ages 6+”
Warnings: “CAUTION: BEFORE USE, CHECK FOR REACTION OR SENSITIVITY TO INGREDIENTS.…IN CASE OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS, DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION”, and other cautions/warnings.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR ALLERGIC REACTION INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This makeup kit is marketed as providing “makeup fun for everyone.” In addition to eyeliner pencils, mirrors and other tools, young children are provided makeup including lipstick, lip gloss, eyeshadow, and blush, each containing a laundry list of chemical ingredients.

Price: $59.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: PhatMojo, LLC; Gamer Robot LLC
Retailer(s): Target; Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “6+” (packaging)
Warnings: “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – small parts. Not for children under 3 years”, and other warnings.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT FORCE AND PUNCTURE INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “Blox Fruits” bundle includes plush and hard plastic toys, as well as cards depicting various colorful figures. These items are sold in a plastic case in the form of a dragon character, complete with rigid pointed horns, with the potential to cause blunt force or puncture injuries.