Parents are being issued warnings about counterfeit squishy toys after a social media trend encouraged children to microwave popular toys. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said counterfeit and poorly made toys may contain harmful materials.
The CPSC released a consumer safety alert saying some counterfeit squishy toys may not meet federal safety standards. It also reiterated that cooking them could cause them to explode and release very hot contents that will stick to skin and cause severe burns.
Why Are Squishy Toys Raising Safety Concerns?
Squishy toys come in a variety of shapes, including animals, food and popular characters. They often contain parts children can squeeze during sensory play. However, some contain water beads, gels, liquids, powders and other fillings.
Fake squishy toys may be more likely to crack and leak. Some may contain high levels of lead, banned phthalates and other harmful materials. They may also lack proper small-parts warnings, water beads, age ratings and safety warnings.
Microwaving them can make them dangerously hot or cause them to explode. The sticky substance inside can continue heating a child’s skin.
The CPSC found 55 shipments of non-compliant squishy toys at U.S. ports and worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to stop 355,683 units from entering the country.
CPSC Issues Another Warning About Squishy Toys
On October 22, 2026, the CPSC issued another warning. It said parents should stop using the Kaizou Group’s Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun and Squeezy Dumpling toys immediately because they contain water beads that can cause choking, swallowing and intestinal blockage.
They stated that the toys do not meet mandatory safety standards for water bead toys. We issued a notice of violation to the distributor; however, they have not responded to requests to issue a recall or provide a solution.
The Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun toys contain glitter and water beads and the Squeezy Dumpling toys contain coloured water beads. At the time of issuing the warning, no incidents were reported. Parents should throw them away and not sell or give them away.
How Can Parents Keep Children Safe?
The CPSC suggests purchasing toys from reliable retailers. Be wary of toys that are too cheap, have poor-quality packaging, lack manufacturer information, or have incorrect age markings or safety warnings.
Regularly check squishy toys. If they smell strongly of chemicals, feel overly greasy or sticky, leak or break easily, keep them away from children.
Most importantly, never microwave them. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heaters and hot cars.
If your child burns themselves while cooking a toy, run cool water over the affected area for at least 20 minutes. Don’t use ice. Seek medical attention if they have severe burns, are young or show signs of infection.
