The countdown to Christmas has begun, and while the thrill of discovering the perfect toy and snagging a great deal are top priorities, the most important factor to keep in mind is safety.
World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) has released a list of the year's top 10 worst toys, which range from xylophones to replica guns.
"Our goal with the 10 Worst Toys list is to help families make informed choices and keep kids safe," Joan Siff, W.A.T.C.H. president, said in a statement. "Toy safety is about stopping potentially unsafe products from reaching children in the first place."
Siff emphasized the need to guard against potential hazards associated with certain toys currently on the market, including toy guns that may be mistaken for real weapons, plush toys that pose suffocation risks, toys with small parts that present choking hazards, and projectile toys that could cause eye injuries.
W.A.T.C.H. says its "10 Worst Toys" list serve as a hands-on tool to raise awareness of potential hazards while shopping or inspecting toys already at home.
Items on the list are illustrative of some potential hazards in toys being sold to consumers and should not be considered the only potentially hazardous toys on the market.
10 Worst Toys for the 2024 Holiday
1. Pinovk toy Colt 45 pistol: Potential for tragedy from realistic toy weaponry
Price: $9.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Pinovk
Retailer: Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: 6-16 years
"Detailed replicas mistaken for lethal weaponry have resulted in numerous deaths over the years and should never be sold as toys," the guide says.
2. Bristle hedgehog: Potential for ingestion injuries
Price: $39.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Douglas Co., Inc.
Retailer: Henry Bear's Park
Age Recommendation: FOR 24 MONTHS & UP
"The toy's long, fiber-like hair may not be adequately rooted, and is prone to 'shedding,'" the guide notes. "The hair, once separated, presents the potential for ingestion or aspiration injuries."
3. Transformers EarthSpark Cyber-Sleeve: Potential for eye injuries
Price: $14.86
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro, Inc.
Retailer: Walmart; Kohls.com; Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: 6+
"Although the warnings and cautions appear to mainly address the potential hazards associated with projectiles, the rigid, plastic sleeve extension also presents the potential for eye and other blunt force injuries," the guide says.
4. Kinetic Sand Scents – Ice Cream Treats: Potential for ingestion injuries
Price: $14.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Spin Master Ltd.; Spin Master Inc.
Retailer: Target; Walmart.com; Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: 3+
The guide notes that the product includes numerous warnings and cautions not to eat the product. But children may still be tempted by the "sand-based ice cream treats of various flavors such as strawberry, chocolate and vanilla, complete with tools to scoop & serve."
5. Wubble Rumblers inflatable Furious Fist: Potential for blunt force and impact injuries
Price: $8.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: NSI International, Inc.
Retailer: Amazon.com; Walmart.com; Ocean State Job Lot
Age Recommendation: 6+
"No warnings or cautions are provided regarding the potential for blunt force or impact injuries," the guide says.
6. Click N' Play toy remote set: Potential for choking injuries
Price: $10.00
Manufacturer or Distributor: EZ Trading LLC.
Retailer: Walmart.com; Amazon.com; Ocean State Job Lot
Age Recommendation: Not for children under 1 years
"Remarkably, the manufacturer warns of a small parts choking hazard “for children under 1 years”, while ignoring the decades-long industry standard recognizing small-parts hazards for children up to 3 years of age," the guide notes.
7. Snackles – Sandy: Potential for suffocation injuries
Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Zuru, Inc.
Retailer: Target; Amazon.com; Kohls.com; Walmart.com
Age Recommendation: 0+
The guide points out that this plush, pillow-like toy is sold with an age recommendation of “0+” on the tag, even though the potential suffocation hazards associated with pillows and certain plush toys used by infants are well documented.
8. X-Shot Poppy Playtime: Potential for eye injuries
Price: $5.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Zuru, Inc.
Retailer: Target; Walmart.com; Toywiz.com
Age Recommendation: 8+
"The darts provided can shoot with enough force to potentially cause eye injuries," the guide says.
9. PlayZone-Fit Tri-Flyer: Potential for impact injuries
Price: $49.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: b4 Adventure
Retailer: Amazon.com; Henry Bear's Park
Age Recommendation: Ages 3+
While children are encouraged to sit, kneel or lay on the triangular base of this wheeled riding toy, the guide notes that the box warns that "serious injury or death may result" if children stand while using the toy.
10. Zoo Jamz Doggy Xylophone: Potential for ingestion and choking injuries
Price: $17.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Vtech Electronics North America, L.L.C.
Retailer: Target; Walmart.com; Kohls.com; Macys.com
Age Recommendation: 1½ – 4 Years
"The manufacturer provides no warnings regarding the slender, rigid, approximately 8-inch-long drumstick handle, which can potentially be mouthed and occlude a child's airway," the guide says.