Hidden Dangers: W.A.T.C.H.’s 2025 Most Hazardous Toys to Watch For

Holiday shopping is officially underway, and while browsing toys is usually the fun part of the season, there’s an important reality that families should keep in mind: some toys pose real safety hazards — even when they’re sold in mainstream stores.

Every year, the nonprofit World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) releases its “10 Worst Toys” list to help parents, grandparents, and caregivers avoid products linked to serious injuries. Their 2025 list is out, and it highlights toys that may seem harmless but can cause choking, ingestion injuries, suffocation, eye injuries, and more.

At Galfand Berger LLP, we’ve represented injured consumers since 1947. We’ve seen firsthand how preventable product hazards can turn a joyful moment into an emergency room visit — and why awareness matters.

Here’s what families need to know this year.

What Made the 2025 W.A.T.C.H. “10 Worst Toys” List?

This year’s list is filled with toys that present hidden hazards. According to W.A.T.C.H., many of these products are marketed as safe, fun, and age-appropriate — yet carry risks that aren’t obvious until something goes wrong.

Here’s the full 2025 Top 10 Worst Toys list:

1. Goo Slingers — Stretchy, slingshot-like projectiles that can cause eye injuries
2. Marvel Avengers Hulk Gamma Smash Fists — Promote “smashing,” leading to impact injuries
3. Shape Sorter Xylophone — Includes small blocks and a long stick that can be swallowed or inhaled
4. Nerf Pro Gelfire Ignitor Blaster — High-velocity gel pellets with projectile injury risks
5. Gigglescape Snack Play Set — Mini food pieces + utensils = ingestion and puncture hazards
6. Sheepdog Puppet — Contains long fibers that may shed and become ingestion hazards
7. Snackles: Disney Minnie — Soft plush toy labeled “0+” but carries suffocation risks
8. Little Cuties Doll — A removable corded headband that poses a choking hazard
9. Ultimate Makeup Kit — May contain chemical ingredients linked to allergic reactions

• Blox Fruits Ember Dragon Ultimate Bundle — Rigid dragon case with sharp horns causing impact/puncture injuries

Why This Matters: Toy Injuries Are More Common Than Most People Realize

W.A.T.C.H. reports that many toy-related injuries are entirely preventable — yet they continue to happen because hazards often aren’t obvious to families. Types of injuries seen year after year include:

• Choking & ingestion injuries
• Eye trauma from projectiles
• Suffocation with plush or oversized soft toys
• Blunt-force injuries from hard or “combat-style” toys
• Allergic reactions to children’s cosmetics

These risks especially affect children under five, who explore the world by touching, squeezing, and putting things into their mouths.

Tips for Safer Toy Shopping This Season

Keeping kids safe doesn’t have to be complicated. A few easy steps can make a big difference:

• Follow age recommendations

Those age labels really matter — especially when toys have small pieces or parts that can come off.

• Skip projectile toys for little ones

Even soft bullets or stretchy shooters can hurt a child’s eyes.

• Don’t assume soft toys are always safe

Big plush toys can cover a child’s face, and some have loose fibers that younger kids might swallow.

• Read the warnings and labels

Check for choking hazards, long strings, sharp edges, or ingredients that don’t seem kid-friendly.

• Be cautious with kids’ makeup

Some kits contain ingredients that can irritate skin, especially for younger children.

• Keep an eye on recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regularly posts recall updates. A quick check can go a long way.

Bottom line: A little extra attention while shopping can help keep playtime safe and worry-free.

Our Firm’s Commitment to Consumer Safety — Since 1947

For nearly eight decades, Galfand Berger, LLP has represented families harmed by unsafe toys and other dangerous consumer products.   We know how devastating these preventable injuries can be — and we’ve built a reputation for standing up to manufacturers when their products cause harm.

If Your Child Has Been Injured by a Toy, Call Us

Even with federal safety standards in place, unsafe toys still reach the market. If your child suffers an injury because of a dangerous or defective toy, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone.

Our attorneys can help determine whether your claim involves:

• A design defect.
• A manufacturing defect.
• A marketing or warning defect.

And we’ll guide your family through the process with compassion and clarity.

Contact the Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP today.  Call us at 1-800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We’re proud to serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with offices in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading.