These Are the '10 Worst Toys of 2014'

By Liz Taurasi

Some of the worst toys on the market for children currently include a pencil-turned catapult, an electric “machine gun,” and wooden musical instruments, according to one watchdog group.

World Against Toys Causing Harm on Wednesday released its “10 Worst Toys of 2014” list.

While some toys may seem an obvious choice—like the Bottle Rocket Party or theTrue Legends Orcs Battle Hammer—a couple of dolls and a pull toy also made the list:

1. Zing’s Air Storm Firetek Bow. This “light-up power” bow and arrow set is sold with three “screaming whistle” arrows which are marketed as being able to fly “up to 145 ft!” according to W.A.T.C.H.
2. Radio Flyer’s Radio Flyer Ziggle. The seat of this small, four-wheeled cycle is approximately 8 inches off the ground. Young children are encouraged to “swerve & spin”, “try new tricks” and “race around the block….” Its low profile makes the toy potentially hazardous for outdoor use, the group says.
3. Toysmith’s Catapencil. Children of all ages, while being advised to “play safe and enjoy,” are also encouraged to use a pencil-turned-catapult for “target practice for your desktop!” the group points out. Sharpened pencils should not be marketed as playthings, much less a miniature slingshot-style launcher. There are no warnings or age recommendations.
4. Skip Hop’s Alphabet Zoo Rock & Stack Pull Toy. Despite the industry’s standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are still permitted to market “pull toys” such as the “Alphabet Zoo Rock & Stack” with a cord measuring approximately 20 inches, says W.A.T.C.H.
5. Junxing Toys’ Swat Electric Machine Gun. In today’s world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy weapons designed to produce potentially dangerous and unnecessary thrill, the group says.
6. Walmart’s Wooden Instruments. This multi-colored instrument set is sold for babies as young as twelve-months-old. The manufacturer provides no warnings regarding the slender, rigid approximately 4½” long drumstick, which has the potential to be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway, according to W.A.T.C.H.
7. Norman & Globus’ Bottle Rocket Party. 8-year-old children, or “rocketeers”, are advised by the manufacturer of this “party kit” that “shooting off bottle rockets is a major event,” W.A.T.C.H. says.
8. JC Toys’ Lil’ Cutesies - Best Friends. These dolls, marketed for oral-age children as young as 2-years-old, are touted as the “perfect friend for your little one.” Many of these toys, however, are sold with a decorative bow made of ribbon which can detach from the head of the baby doll, posing the potential for choking if ingested, the group says.
9. Toys “R” Us’ True Legends Orcs Battle Hammer. Children are encouraged to play the part of a “Savage Orc” by wielding a hard plastic “Battle Hammer” measuring almost 2 feet in length, according to the group.
10. Toys “R” Us’ Colored Hedgehog. This soft, colorful hedgehog is sold for infants. The toy has long, fiber-like hair that is not adequately rooted and is easily removable, presenting the potential for ingestion or aspiration injuries, W.A.T.C.H. says.

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