The 2025 Worst Toys List: What Parents Need to Know

By Charlene DeLoach, Chief Play Officer, Playroom Chronicles

 A quick note: This content was created in partnership with one or more of the brands featured. I may have been paid, received products, or both. Paid or not, I’m still going to tell you what I think because none of us needs another toy our kids won’t play with.

As parents, we want toys that help our kids play, learn, and explore, and not accidentally send them to urgent care as a result. Every year, W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) releases its “10 Worst Toys” nominees, a list designed to help families spot hidden dangers early and avoid toys that could pose risks.

This year’s nominees shine a spotlight on hazards you might not notice during a quick scroll, whether you’re shopping in stores or rushing through online holiday deals.

Below is a breakdown of the list and what these warnings actually mean for real families.

The 2025 Nominees: Toys With Potential Hazards

W.A.T.C.H.’s list isn’t meant to shame toy companies. It’s meant to help parents stay alert, as well as inform toy companies and manufacturers how to do better.

These toys are on the 2025 list:

Goo Slingers — potential eye injuries
Marvel Avengers Hulk Gamma Smash Fists — blunt force & impact injuries
Shape Sorter Xylophone — ingestion risks
Nerf Pro Gelfire Ignitor Blaster — eye injuries
Gigglescape Snack Play Set — puncture & ingestion injuries
Sheepdog Puppet — ingestion hazards
Snackles: Disney Minnie — suffocation risks
Little Cuties Doll — choking hazards
Ultimate Makeup Kit — allergic reaction risks
Blox Fruits Ember Dragon Ultimate Bundle — blunt force & puncture injuries

Not all toy hazards are obvious. Soft-looking items may have dangerous fibers. Cute accessories may detach. Even toys marketed as “educational” can hide choking hazards.

Why This List Matters, And Why Injuries Still Happen

Toy injuries aren’t rare. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 231,700 toy-related injuries occurred in 2023, and 40 children (ages 14 and under) died from toy-related hazards between 2021–2023.

The most common issues? Small parts, projectiles, loose magnets, suffocation hazards, unsafe strings, rigid edges, and misleading or incomplete warnings. The hardest part for parents: some toys are labeled as “safe” but still slip through gaps in design, testing, or manufacturing.

And even when toys are recalled? Many families never hear about it. From 2024 to late 2025, the CPSC recalled over 21 million toys, including:

LED gloves with unsecured coin batteries
Toy eggs with lead
Plush animals with detachable plastic eyes

The Hidden Hazards Parents Should Watch For

Here are the repeating patterns W.A.T.C.H. highlighted this year, and what they mean for everyday families:

1. Small Parts + Young Kids = A High-Risk Combo

Choking remains one of the most common toy-related injuries. Even toys meant for toddlers or preschoolers can have parts that detach during normal play. This year alone, more than 20 toys were recalled for choking or ingestion hazards, totaling over 230,000 units.

2. “Soft” Toys Aren’t Always Safe

Fiber-like materials, plush hair, and loose fabrics can block airways, especially for babies.

3. Projectiles & Impact Toys Aren’t Just “Rough Play”

Blasters, slings, and oversized “smash” toys can cause serious eye injuries or bruising, especially in mixed-age households.

4. Toxic or Allergenic Ingredients Still Slip In

Makeup kits, slimes, and craft materials can irritate skin or contain harmful chemicals if not properly tested.

5. Marketing Doesn’t Equal Safety

A recognizable brand or character doesn’t guarantee that every product in that line is hazard-free.

How Parents Can Stay Safer This Holiday Season

W.A.T.C.H.’s advice aligns with what I teach here at Playroom Chronicles: awareness beats panic. You don’t need to fear toys. Just make informed choices.

Here’s what to do before you buy:

Inspect packaging closely
Look for “small parts” warnings
Check age recommendations
Read labels (especially for cosmetics)
Think about how your child plays
Check product reviews. Parents often mention hazards before companies catch them
Be cautious with toy sets containing many small pieces. Especially during high-energy holidays when mixed aged kids mix toys or drop parts on the floor.
Sign up for recall alerts. The CPSC and many state agencies offer free updates.
Do a quick safety sweep of older toys at home. Wear-and-tear can create new hazards, like loose strings, cracking plastic, detached accessories.

Why This Matters to Our Playroom Chronicles Community

The toy aisle should feel fun — not stressful. And you shouldn’t need a law degree, engineering degree, or microscope to choose safe toys. But a little awareness goes a long way toward keeping kids protected while still letting them explore, pretend, and play freely (the true heart of childhood).

Consumers can help children enjoy a safer holiday season by knowing what traps to avoid when selecting toys, and by choosing products made by well-known, reputable manufacturers with strong safety track records. Not every toy on the shelf (or online) is created equally. And when shopping on the internet — especially on large marketplaces — parents need to double-check the seller, not just the product name. Many families see a toy online and assume it’s the same one they spotted on TV or in a trusted gift guide, but third-party sellers often list lookalike or counterfeit versions that don’t meet safety standards. Sticking with established companies and verified sellers dramatically reduces the risk of defects, loose parts, and inconsistent quality.

And because most of my readers are parents looking to buy smarter, reduce clutter, and choose toys that actually support play and development, this list is a powerful reminder that we can—and should—be selective.