• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

These Are the 10 ‘Worst Toys’ This Holiday Season

By
Laura Lorenzetti
Laura Lorenzetti
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Laura Lorenzetti
Laura Lorenzetti
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 19, 2015, 3:19 PM ET
FRA-CHRISTMAS-BUSINESS
People make their Christmas shopping in a toys shop on December 15, 2012 in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, near Tours. AFP PHOTO/ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)Photograph by Alain Jocard — AFP/Getty Images

Toy safety watchdog World Against Toys Causing Harm, or W.A.T.C.H., released its annual list of the 10 “worst toys” of 2015 ahead of the holiday shopping season, calling out products that it says don’t properly address the necessary safety hurdles to keep children out of harm’s way.

Nearly 46% of purchases are expected to be made online this year, meaning parents won’t have the ability to see the product in person to review the safety level of each toy. Such parental reviews are necessary, says W.A.T.C.H. Childhood injuries from toys are not uncommon. Last year, an estimated 251,800 children were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for toy-related injuries, and there were reports of 11 toy-related deaths—all among children under the age of 12, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

This year’s toy report, put together by consumer advocates and lawyers Joan Siff and James Swartz, demonstrates the types of hazards they say parents should be on the lookout for both online and in stores. Here are W.A.T.C.H.’s top 10 “worst toys” of 2015.

Skipit’s Wheely Cute Pull Along

WATCH - Toys 2015 - Budpulltoy2
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
The fluffy pull toy is marketed for infants as a “friend” who’s “ready to roll.” However, its wheels may not get very far, according to W.A.T.C.H. Certain lots of these toys were recalled in June because the hubcaps can break off and pose a potential choking issue. W.A.T.C.H. ordered a similar version and found that it showed the same potential danger.

Foam Dart Gun

WATCH - Toys 2015 - DartGun
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
The picture says it all. This children’s dart gun looks eerily similar to a real gun. Last December, Cleveland cops fatally shot a 12-year-old boy after mistaking his toy gun as a real threat. W.A.T.C.H. says regulations preventing realistic toy gun designs are “inadequate.”

Small Trampoline

WATCH - Toys 2015 - Trampoline1
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
This toy trampoline, which sells on eBay and at Toys “R” Us, warns in its packaging that “landing on the head or neck can cause serious injury, paralysis, or death, even when landing in the middle of the bed.” W.A.T.C.H. says that such toys are dangerous and shouldn’t “be sold as a playtime activity for young children.”

Poo-Dough

WATCH - Toys 2015 - PooDough2
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
While it may seem clear from the toy itself why it’s on the list of worst toys, that’s not the real reason. The Poo-Dough actually contains an allergy notice on the throwaway packaging, W.A.T.C.H. notes—it contains wheat, which could be a potentially harmful allergen for some children.

Smack Shot

WATCH - Toys 2015 - SmackShot1
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
W.A.T.C.H. says this high-powered slingshot toy has the potential for eye injuries given its capability of firing rubber ammunition “up to 100ft!” The warnings on the box include alerting “anyone within close distance … prior to firing.”

Kick Flipper

WATCH - Toys 2015 - Kick1
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
The Kick Flipper, which is touted as a skateboard without the wheels, made the list for its potential for head and impact injuries, according to W.A.T.C.H. The toy warns children not to use it on stairs, hills, or inclines, though it doesn’t advise children to wear protective gear like a helmet while they “Kick it! Flip it! Pop it!”

Leonardo’s Electronic Stealth Sword

WATCH - Toys 2015 - LeonardoSword1
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
This Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle sword has the potential to cause blunt force injuries, W.A.T.C.H. says, as young children are encouraged to play “Ninja Battle” with the rigid, plastic toy. It’s recommended for kids ages 4 and up.

Doctor Play Set

WATCH - Toys 2015 - Doctor1
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
The doctor play set looks innocent enough, but W.A.T.C.H. warns that the small toys within have the potential for ingestion and choking injuries. The toy is recommended for ages 2 and up and includes medical devices like a thin plastic tongue depressor that’s only 4 and 3/4 inches in length that children are encouraged to put in their mouths.

Pull Along Zebra

WATCH - Toys 2015 - Zebra1
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
Another pull toy makes the list. Rather than fear of losing its wheels, W.A.T.C.H. notes that it poses the risk of strangulation and entanglement injuries due to a cord thats nearly 21 inches long. The industry standard requires any strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12-inches in length, according to W.A.T.C.H., though manufacturers are still allowed to market toys that avoid that requirement. The toy is recommended for toddlers ages 1 year to 36 months.

Jurassic World Velociraptor Claws

WATCH - Toys 2015 - Raptor2
Courtesy of W.A.T.C.H.
These oversized dinosaur claws are intended for children ages 4 and up and encourage young kids to “claw like a raptor!” W.A.T.C.H. warns that these claws have the potential for eye and facial injuries, which isn’t called out on the packaging.

About the Author
By Laura Lorenzetti
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

James Daunt sits in a booksop, gesturing with both hands and smiling.
AIbooks
Barnes & Noble CEO clarifies the bookseller’s stance on AI-written books after refusing to ban them: ‘This is a straightforward rejection of AI books’
By Sasha RogelbergMay 22, 2026
6 hours ago
Walmart shoppers are filling their gas tanks with less than 10 gallons for the first time since 2022, and its CFO calls it ‘an indication of stress’
EconomyRetail
Walmart shoppers are filling their gas tanks with less than 10 gallons for the first time since 2022, and its CFO calls it ‘an indication of stress’
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMay 22, 2026
8 hours ago
trump
EnvironmentWhite House
Trump reverses grocery, air conditioning pollution regulations because they’re too woke
By Matthew Daly and The Associated PressMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
target
Retailearnings
Target posts biggest jump in comparable sales in 4 years as turnaround takes shape
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Variational co-founders Edward Yu and Lucas Schuermann pose for a picture
CryptoCryptocurrency
Variational raises $50 million Series A to bring liquidity from traditional markets to blockchain rails
By Jack KubinecMay 20, 2026
3 days ago
A Pizza Hut workers prepares an order for delivery.
LawFood and drink
Pizza Hut franchisee claims $100 million losses from ‘cascading operational breakdowns’ in AI adoption gone wrong
By Sasha RogelbergMay 19, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
3 days ago
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
Workplace Culture
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
By Sydney LakeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
McKinsey partner says up to 50% of work hours could be transformed within the next 5 years
AI
McKinsey partner says up to 50% of work hours could be transformed within the next 5 years
By Emma BurleighMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
A 'proudly autistic' workplace expert says putting neurodivergent employees in a typical office is like dropping a polar bear in Austin, Texas
Conferences
A 'proudly autistic' workplace expert says putting neurodivergent employees in a typical office is like dropping a polar bear in Austin, Texas
By Tristan BoveMay 20, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.