Water bead toys now have new safety rules set by the federal government.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission rules formally went into effect this week.
The colorful water beads, sold under brands like Aquabeads and Orbeez, are a popular children’s toy for sensory play.
However, the balls of absorbent polymer can also grow up to 100 times their original size if exposed to water. If a child swallows one, or it’s put in their ears or nose, it can cause blockages.
[WATCH: Are water beads safe for children to play with? (from 2023)]
The CPSC says that from 2017 to 2022, there were an estimated 6,300 water bead-related ingestion injuries. At least one child, a 10-month-old girl, died in 2023.
In 2024, the agency opened a rule-making period and asked for public comment.
The new rules now set a maximum expansion size for beads made after March 12, 2026, which should prevent them from becoming large enough to be dangerous if ingested.
Limits have also been added to the amount of acrylamide, a possible carcinogen, found in the beads, and there must also be visible warning labels on the new packages.
The CPSC also offers these safety tips:
- Remove water beads from any area where young children may be present.
- Store water beads in a secure container and location where young children cannot easily access them.
- Do not allow children to play with water beads unsupervised.
- If a toy contains water beads, such as a ball filled with water beads, discard the product if beads start to come out.
- Water beads can easily scatter, roll and become lost. After use, clean the area and remove any beads that may have rolled away.