‘Breakage alone is a concern’: What parents need to know about squishy fidget toys

A new investigation by Consumer Reports has found some fidget toys can break open and leak liquids that can be potentially dangerous. Pat Foran reports.

A new investigation has found those soft, squishy fidget toys can break open and leak liquids, which can potentially be dangerous.

The investigation, by Consumer Reports, found some of these toys contain gels that can irritate the skin or even cause chemical burns.

Loved by children, these bright, colourful balls are often marketed as calming sensory tools, but there is a troubling trend.

Dozens of one-star reviews for NeeDoh’s Niceberg, for example, note how easily the toys can break, with one saying it “broke within three days of fair use” and another noting how it “leaks at (the) seal quickly.”

The sticky gel from some toys left children with red, irritated, or peeling skin, according to Consumer Reports. Some children suffered severe skin irritation after their squishy toys split open, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)’s database.

“Breakage alone is a concern, but when we saw reports of kids with red, or peeling, or even chemical-burn-like injuries, that really raised serious questions, and it made us want to take a look at what’s inside of these,” said Lauren Kirchner with Consumer Reports.

Scientists with Consumer Reports tested eight of these squishy toys, broke them open and tested the pH balance of the gel inside, Kirchner explained.

“Seven had a neutral pH, one of them—the NeeDoh ‘Groovy Glob’—had a pH level of two, as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar,” said Kirchner.

Schylling, the maker of NeeDoh, challenged Consumer Reports’ pH test results, saying the inner gel is made out of polyvinyl alcohol, which is safe for skin contact. The company added that, after the sale of 100 million NeeDoh toys, there have only been four reported incidents to the CPSC.

TikTok trends have encouraged children and youth to microwave squishy toys to make them softer, but Consumer Reports testers found some can explode after just 15 seconds (even reaching temperatures above 200F, which is around 93C).

“These gel toys can be a lot of fun, but it’s important for kids to use them safely. Never microwave or freeze, don’t leave them in the car, don’t give gel-filled toys to babies or toddlers,” said Kirchner.

If one of these toys breaks on your child’s skin, wash it off immediately and throw the toy out.