Water balloons and summer fun are almost synonymous. However, as awareness of climate change and the impact of single-use plastics on the environment grows, many people are turning to reusable water balloons. But in this summer’s muggy weather, it’s important to make sure these products come from reputable, safety-tested brands—otherwise they could be harmful or even fatal to your kids.
The first thing to understand is what makes a poorly constructed reusable water balloon so potentially dangerous.
The basic structure of a reusable water balloon is very simple: a plastic spherical shell connected at the center by a magnet, mostly hidden under the plastic layer, but sometimes exposed, so the balloon “pops” on impact. This design provides the signature water balloon explosion while also allowing kids to fill and refill the same balloon.
That little magnet strip is where the problem may lie.
Hospitalization is an example of the trouble this design can cause if not executed properly. This happened last August, when a Morrow, Ohio, woman had to take her daughter to the hospital after small magnets accidentally got stuck in her nose—magnets she said were from plastic bags purchased on Amazon. Reusable water balloons.
In December, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Administration (CPSA) advised U.S. shoppers to avoid SplishSplashFun’s SplishSplash balls because they violated federal regulations regarding the strength and number of magnets in water balloons. According to the violation notice, the CPSC states: “When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can be attracted to each other or to another metal object and become lodged in the digestive system. This can cause intestinal perforation and distortion. and/or obstruction, infection, blood poisoning and death.
The prospect of these seemingly harmless products is quite scary. But does that mean you and your kids should ditch the reusable water balloons this summer? Fortunately no. There are also plenty of ways to shop safely and enjoy a summer full of eco-friendly water balloons.
Joan Lawrence (aka “The Toy Safety Mom”) is senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs at the Toy Association, a top toy industry organization. She said parents should be concerned about the choking hazards of traditional and reusable water balloons.
“Always supervise children when playing with any type of balloon (latex balloons, water balloons and reusable water balloons). Uninflated balloons and burst balloon fragments can pose a choking hazard to children,” Lawrence said. “If a reusable balloon ruptures, or any magnets become detached or detached from the balloon, please dispose of all parts (balloon and magnet material) as small magnets and uninflated balloons/balloon fragments can pose serious safety concerns if swallowed .
Another major stress point for toy safety moms? Trustworthy companies are key: “The Toy Association recommends that shoppers only buy toys from well-known brands,” she says.
ZURU is a well-known brand that currently has a range of reusable water balloons on the market. Its Bunch O Balloons range promises 1,500 splashes per balloon, and the brand says it undergoes rigorous internal and external testing. “ZURU’s product testing team conducted more than 1,500 life cycle tests in which Bunch O Balloons reusable water balloons were launched and burst multiple times without causing obvious damage,” ZURU’s team told Toy Insider. “Due to the nature of water warfare operations, users will not be able to actually count the splash, so each balloon should be inspected for wear and tear before each use. Any incomplete balloons should be discarded. Six-Pack Bunch O from Target Balloons reusable water balloons retail for $12.99.
ZURU says that after internal and external testing, its Bunch O Balloons range “has met and complied with all U.S. ASTM F963 and CPSC regulations.”
Relatable, formerly known as What Do You Meme?, is another company that sells summer toys. A pack of 10 Hydrobursts (Relatable’s line of reusable water balloons) costs just under $15 at Walmart.
Relatable told Toy Insider it also passed safety standards testing with flying colors. “Relatable is proud to stay up to date on all the latest Product Safety Council (CPSC) updates and safety guidance,” it said. “Our extensive use and abuse testing in accordance with U.S. toy safety standards ensures Hydroburst meets the highest standards, making it the first choice for major retailers.”
Despite solid safety standards, both ZURU and Relatable recommend checking balloons frequently for damage. Relatable recommends replacing Hydroburst every season or even earlier.
Unfortunately, increased publicity about the dangers of inferior reusable water balloons does not mean that potentially dangerous water balloons have disappeared from the market. Chinese retailer AliExpress, touting suspiciously low prices, has several reusable water balloons for sale, many for less than $3. The same goes for Temu, a brand direct from China that sells knockoffs and (most likely) untested toys.
Reusable water balloons from these sites should be avoided as safety standards and product information are often not found in the product listing or even in the shipment the buyer receives.
Also consider the materials your reusable water balloons are made from. These plastics may include silicone (which is known to expand when heated, making unsafe magnets more of a choking hazard) and latex, a common allergen.
Still, there’s plenty to be excited about: avoiding questionable brands and shopping platforms is a long way off, and sustainable water play is closer than ever. However, as summer weather increasingly calls for outdoor fun, parents should still keep this advice from the Relatable brand in mind: “There is no substitute for safe parenting with proper supervision of safe play.”
