Target Recalls Gigglescape Under the Sea Popping Toy Over Choking Hazard

Product Recalls - July 17, 2026

Parents Urged to Cease Using Gigglescape™ Under the Sea Popping Toy Sold at Target Over Concerns it Poses Choking Hazard

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 17, 2026) – Target has issued a recall for the Gigglescape Under the Sea Popping Toy because the toys pose a major choking hazard for young children.

The recall was issued on July 2, 2026. An estimated 49,000 units have been sold.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has outlined the safety concerns with the product. In particular, the clear plastic dome that houses the unit can easily detach.

This allows the small toy balls on the inside to be easily accessible by young children. If a child were to swallow one of those small round plastic balls, they could easily choke and die.

The manufacturer has received nine reports of the dome detaching. There was also one report of a child that actually began to choke after ingesting one of the balls.

The Gigglescape Under the Sea Popping Toy was sold at Target stores nationwide.

Liability for Injuries Caused by Dangerous Toys

Companies that manufacture toys and other consumer products have a legal obligation to ensure that those toys are reasonably safe. Among other things, companies need to take into consideration that children can be unpredictable and often destructive with toys. They will not necessarily use some toy or other product exactly as intended. Part of creating safe products is ensuring that those products remain safe in all of the ways that they could possibly be used. There are many different ways that a child’s toy could potentially be dangerous so as to create a choking hazard.

• Small Parts: A toy that is meant for small children could have small parts that are choking hazards.
• Breakable: A toy that is meant for small children could pose a major choking hazard if that toy is likely to break apart into smaller pieces.
• Easily Accessible Small Parts: A toy may have small parts that are easily accessible by children without the use of tools.

When a child’s toy has small parts that create a choking hazard, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. It is easily foreseeable that very young children could put the small parts of a children’s toy in their mouth and potentially choke on them. This is why toys intended for very young children should not have small parts. Moreover, a manufacturer could be liable for an injury involving their product if they failed to warn consumers about latent dangers.

Steps to Take After Injuries Caused by Dangerous Toys 

Preventable choking accidents remain a leading cause of injury and death for children. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Toy-related deaths are often caused by choking, drowning, motor vehicle incident or strangulation. Injuries often result when toys are misused or used by children who are too young. Choking is the leading cause of injury among children ages 3 and younger, with coins and toys accounting for the most non-food-related choking incidents.” A number of different actions should be taken after any choking accident involving children.

• The product involved in the accident should be stored in a secure location where it is not likely to cause additional harm.
• All medical records related to the incident should be collected and preserved.
• It should be determined if the product involved was on any recall list.
• Parents should consider their legal options for peace of mind.

Companies should prioritize safety when making any product intended for young children. But far too often, they are more concerned with making as much money as possible, even if safety regulations are not being followed. This leads to many preventable accidents and injuries each year. Any person whose child is injured by a defective toy may be able to pursue damages through a personal claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Getting Legal Help After Being Injured by a Consumer Product

Horwitz Horwitz & Associates remains committed to alerting the public about dangerous products that harm children. It is our belief that parents should not have to worry that their child could be seriously injured or killed by the products they purchased for them. Part of the problem with many toys intended for children is that they are shipped from the country where safety standards may not be strict.

Has your child been harmed by a dangerous consumer product? You may have legal recourse. We are committed to helping parents get the medical and financial assistance that they need so that their child can have a bright future. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to hold all of the parties responsible for harming your child accountable. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of assistance, we are here to help. You can contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.