The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maxfield and Oberton LLC on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of approximately 175,000 Buckyballs high-powered magnet sets because they violate the federal toy standard, according to a May 27 CPSC press release.
“The high powered magnets sets were labeled ‘Ages 13+’ and do not meet the mandatory toy standard F963-08 (effective August 17, 2009) which requires that such powerful magnets are not sold for children under 14,” the press release said. “Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.”
Each recalled magnetic set contains 216 “powerful rare earth magnets” which are intended to build unlimited shapes and patterns, according to the CPSC.
No injuries have been reported but Maxfield and Oberton have received reports of children swallowing the magnets.
The magnet sets were manufactured in China and were sold from March 2009 through March 2010 on several websites, at stationary and office supplies stores, and at stores that sell children’s toys.
It should be noted that since March 2010, the Buckyballs high-powered magnetic sets have been labeled “Keep Away From All Children,” which meets the federal toy standard. Therefore, those sets are not being recalled.
Consumers should take the recalled magnetic sets away from children under the age of 14 and contact Maxfield and Oberton for directions on how to return the magnet sets and receive a refund.
Retro toy, meet modern technology in the iBlock Speaker! Relive your childhood with these iPod speakers that are designed to resemble the colorful building blocks from our childhood. These little beauties deliver very rich and clear sound that is loud enough for portable parties. The small size makes them easy to take along on trips, as you can slip them easily in your pocket or bag. They use the speaker in your iPod, so no cord or batteries are necessary. Another cool feature of this product is the cleverly disguised volume controls on the front of the speakers (can you see them?)
These aren’t exactly toys, but they are the perfect gift for any man who loves toy cars. Say goodbye to boring old cufflinks - the Toy Wheel and Tire Cufflinks make getting dressed up fun! They add a spark of adventure and youth to any look. Who says that work and play have to be separate?
There are four different styles, all of which have the silver base. They cost between $25 and $35. I first discovered these playful cufflinks on Style Guru.
For the past couple of days I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my newest favorite plush toys - Plaja Pets! Jason from Small World Toys was kind enough to send me a bunch of the mini versions and two of the large versions to review. I didn’t know what to expect, as I wasn’t sure what toy I was going to receive to review from Small World Toys. So I was more than just a bit surprised to open the box and see plush animals with detached heads and tails!
The award-winning Plaja Pets are the newest addition to the Small World Toys collection. Plaja Pets are plush toys with play value. Not only can they be mixed and matched, but you can stick a head or a tail on the refrigerator door or anything else magnetic.
I should have known what to expect when I left my boyfriend alone for five minutes with the new toys:
He just couldn’t resist, and proceeded to create all sorts of cute-crazy creatures by tearing off the heads and tails of these furry cuties. Plaja Pets are designed with detachable heads and tails (using embedded magnets) so that kids (and grown-up kids) can mix and match as they please.
Each Plaja Pet has a unique name and story that tells about their life on the Plaja Islands. Kids love to read these little stories about their new unique toy. Visit www.plajapets.com to mix and match your own electronically or see photos of the Plaja Pets all around the world!
Plaja Pets come in a large (8”) and miniature (4”) size and are great for anyone over the age of 3 (the magnetic tails are a choking hazard). I’m also seeing the possibility of another use for adults - a stress reliever! Just rip off a head or a tail! I’m sure it’ll make you feel better (even if you immediately feel bad and put it back, like I did).
You can read more about Plaja Pets and their creators in the story published by Amanda Reinarts of MSU, “The Peddlers of Plush”.
I love discovering etsy creations, and Gretel Parker makes adorable needle felt toy sculptures, such as this cute cat, Eloise. Sweet Eloise is a pink pointed Siamese, with a chocolate brown heart-shaped nose. You can custom order an animal, and most of the toys on her website are already sold (such as the beautiful Eloise), but her etsy site Red Flannel Elephant Designs will soon be restocked.
Visit Gretel Parker’s felted toys gallery and let me know which one’s your favorite!
I want a Munny. I want a Munny very badly, actually.
Most of you are probably going, “What the heck is a Munny?” And that’s not surprising. Unless you’re already into designer figures or you frequent comic book stores, you’re probably not on the up-and-up when it comes to the urban vinyl toy craze.
Worry not, faithful readers. I am here to educate.
Okay, so a friend of mine tipped me off to the fact that you can buy a gigantic Rubik’s cube table.
Obviously, I was thrilled and Googled it the minute she told me. Here it is:
It’s an acrylic coffee/end table made by Jellio, and it retails for $600. I was hoping that the tables were functional, but alas, they are not, so I won’t be writing my check until they come out with a design that works like the real thing, or at least LOOKS like it’s been scrambled a bit.
It got me wondering what else was out there, though, so I started on my own little Google image hunt to track down some of the coolest toy-inspired household items.
I’m a total pool shark. Much like the Spanish Inquisition, however, nobody expects it. (If you got that reference, I love you. If you didn’t, click the link and thank me later.) Of course, the looks of surprise make winning all that much sweeter!
I figure the only real reason I’m good at billiards is that I have a real knack for geometry. Set me up with any other kid of math and I go completely dim, but angles and shapes have always just come naturally to me. (And I’m pretty sure I’m the only person on the planet who actually LIKED doing proofs!)
Unfortunately, there isn’t room in the house for a pool table, so I go to my grandmother’s house and use the one in her basement when I want to brush up on my mad skills. Maybe some day, I will achieve this level of awesomeness:
All I need is a few hundred dominoes, and I’m set!
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maxfield and Oberton LLC on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of approximately 175,000 Buckyballs high-powered magnet sets because they violate the federal toy standard, according to a May 27 CPSC press release.
