CreateOn Recalls Pip-Cubes Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Magnet Ingestion Hazard

What was recalled

If you have children who enjoy creative play with magnetic building sets, it is important to know exactly which products are involved in this urgent safety notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall centers on a specific line of magnetic building cubes branded under the well-known "Crayola" name, though they are manufactured and distributed by CreateOn. These products, officially referred to as "pip-Cubes," were sold in distinct variations that might be familiar to many households: sets featuring bold, primary colors and another set characterized by glittery finishes. Specifically, the Bold Colors cubes come in red, green, blue, and yellow, while the Glitter cubes feature purple, pink, blue, and green pieces with a sparkling texture on their surfaces.

The affected inventory includes both 24-cube and 27-cube sets. Each cube in these sets is imprinted with the word "Crayola" on its left side, serving as a key identifier for consumers trying to verify their possession of the recalled items. To determine if your specific set is part of this recall, you must look at the bottom of the original product packaging where the model and UPC numbers are located. The CPSC has identified four specific combinations of model and UPC numbers that are subject to this order:

• Bold Colors, 24 Cubes: Model 1000199, UPC 850067300199
• Bold Colors, 27 Cubes: Model 1000243, UPC 850067300205
• Glitter Cubes, 24 Cubes: Model 1000205, UPC 850067300205
• Glitter Cubes, 27 Cubes: Model 1000250, UPC 850067300250

While the recall announcement does not specify every retailer or exact dates of sale, it is a widespread consumer product that may be found in homes across the country. The urgency of this recall stems from the internal construction of these cubes. Although they appear to be solid plastic blocks suitable for general play, the design relies on powerful magnets housed within each piece. If the seams of the cubes separate during normal use, these magnets can become loose and accessible, creating a severe danger if a child manages to swallow them. Because this hazard involves high-powered magnets, the potential for serious internal injury is significant, making it crucial for parents and guardians to immediately check their toy collections against the model numbers listed above.

The hazard, explained

At first glance, the CreateOn Crayola-branded pip-Cubes may seem like harmless, colorful toys designed for creativity and construction. However, the core issue lies in the internal mechanics of these magnetic building blocks. These cubes contain high-powered magnets embedded within their structure. The recall notice indicates that the seams holding the cube together can separate during normal play or handling. When this separation occurs, the powerful magnets inside are no longer securely contained. They can become loose and fall out, turning what was once a safe building block into a serious ingestion hazard for children.

The danger is not just in swallowing a single magnet, but in how these specific types of magnets interact with each other inside the human body. These are not weak fridge magnets; they are high-powered neodymium-style magnets often used in industrial or hobbyist applications. When a child swallows one magnet, it may pass through the digestive system without issue. However, if two or more loose magnets (or even a loose magnet and another piece of metal) are swallowed at different times, they can attract each other from across loops of intestine. This attraction pulls the intestinal walls tightly together between the magnets.

This pinching effect is what leads to severe medical emergencies. The constant pressure can cut off blood supply to the tissue, causing it to die and eventually perforate (create holes) in the intestines. Furthermore, the twisting motion caused by the magnets pulling on different sections of the gut can lead to volvulus, a dangerous twisting of the intestine that blocks it completely. Once these complications occur, bacteria from the gut can leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to blood poisoning (sepsis), peritonitis, and potentially death. This is why the CPSC classifies this as a risk of serious injury or death.

It is important to understand that this mechanism does not require the child to swallow multiple magnets at once. A single loose magnet poses a threat if it encounters another magnetic object already in the body, or if another magnet is swallowed later. The high strength of these magnets allows them to exert enough force to cause tissue damage even when separated by several inches of intestinal wall. Because young children often explore the world by putting objects in their mouths, and because small magnets can easily be missed during cleanup, this hazard is particularly insidious. The injury may not be immediately apparent, allowing time for life-threatening complications to develop before symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever appear.

While no incidents have been reported to the CPSC yet, the potential for catastrophic harm is well-documented in medical literature regarding high-powered magnet ingestions. The combination of accessible loose magnets and the physiological vulnerability of children makes this a critical safety issue that requires immediate attention from all owners of these products.

Who is most at risk

The primary group at immediate and severe risk from the CreateOn Crayola-branded pip-Cubes recall is young children, particularly those under the age of three. While these magnetic building cubes are marketed as creative toys, their small size and bright, appealing colors make them highly attractive to toddlers who explore the world through touch and taste. At this developmental stage, putting objects in their mouths is a natural and necessary part of learning about their environment. The hazard arises not just from the act of swallowing, but from the specific mechanical failure of the product: if the seams on the cubes separate, the high-powered magnets inside can fall out. For a child, these loose magnets are indistinguishable from any other small toy part, making accidental ingestion a significant and tragic possibility.

The danger is uniquely severe because of how internal magnets behave once swallowed. If a child ingests even two or more of these high-powered magnets, they do not simply pass through the digestive system like regular food. Instead, the powerful magnetic force can cause the magnets to attract each other across different loops of the intestine, or latch onto other metal objects also present in the digestive tract. This creates a dangerous clamp-like effect that pinches the intestinal walls between the magnets. Over time, this pressure cuts off blood flow to the tissue, leading to necrosis (tissue death), perforations (holes) in the intestines, twisting of the bowel, or complete blockage. These conditions are medical emergencies that often require immediate surgery and can lead to life-threatening infections like blood poisoning.

While the recall specifically targets children due to their behavioral tendencies toward mouthing objects, anyone handling these cubes must recognize that the risk is tied to accessibility. The hazard does not discriminate by age but by proximity; any individual who might accidentally place a small cube or a loose magnet in their mouth is at risk. However, infants and toddlers are disproportionately vulnerable because they lack the cognitive awareness to understand the danger of swallowing small parts. Parents and caregivers should understand that this is not merely a choking hazard in the traditional sense, but a complex internal medical threat caused by the interaction of powerful magnets within the body. Therefore, the responsibility lies entirely with adults to ensure these items are kept completely out of reach of young children and to inspect existing sets for any signs of seam separation before allowing play.

How to tell if you have the recalled item

If you have a set of magnetic building cubes in your home, particularly those marketed under the Crayola brand name, it is important to verify whether they are part of this specific recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified CreateOn as the manufacturer responsible for these products. To determine if your set is included, you need to look at both the physical appearance of the cubes and the information printed on the packaging. Start by checking the exterior of the box. The model number and UPC code are critical identifiers and can be found on the bottom of the product packaging. If you have already opened the box or lost the original container, you will need to inspect the individual cubes themselves.

There are four specific variations of the pip-Cubes that have been recalled. All of them feature the word "Crayola" imprinted on the left side of each cube, which serves as a primary visual cue. The first two sets are part of the "Bold Colors" collection. One set contains 24 cubes and has the model number 1000199 with UPC 850067300199. The second set also belongs to the Bold Colors line but contains 27 cubes, identified by model number 1000243 and UPC 850067300205. These cubes come in bright red, green, blue, and yellow.

The other two recalled sets fall under the "Glitter" category. The first Glitter set includes 24 cubes, carries model number 1000205, and has UPC 850067300205. The second Glitter set contains 27 cubes, with model number 1000250 and UPC 850067300250. Visually, these cubes are purple, pink, blue, and green, and they are distinguished by having glitter embedded in the material. If your cubes match any of these model numbers, UPC codes, or visual descriptions exactly, they are part of this recall.

If you cannot find the packaging or if the labels have worn off, look closely at the bottom of a single cube for the model and UPC details. It is also helpful to consider where and when you purchased the item. While the recall notice does not specify exact retail stores or dates of sale, these products were sold nationally. If you are unsure whether your set is included, do not guess. The safest approach is to contact CreateOn directly using the information provided in the remedy section. They can help you verify the status of your specific product based on any numbers you can find.

What to do — step by step

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you find that your magnetic building cubes match the details of this recall, please take a deep breath and know that you do not need to panic about disposing of the product yourself. The manufacturer, CreateOn, has established a straightforward and consumer-friendly remedy process designed to make things right without costing you anything extra or creating unnecessary hassle. Because the hazard involves high-powered magnets that can become loose within the plastic shells, the company is not offering a repair kit or a simple refund check for the original defective items. Instead, the official remedy is a complete replacement of your product.

Here is exactly how the process works and why it is structured this way. First, you must contact CreateOn to initiate the claim. You can reach their dedicated recall support team by calling their toll-free number at 800-333-0549. Their representatives are available to assist you from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. If you prefer to handle this digitally, you can send an email directly to pipcuberecall@CreateOn.com or visit their official recall portal at https://www.createon.com/recall/. You may also navigate to the main CreateOn website at https://www.createon.com/ and click on "Recalls" at the bottom of the page to find more information and initiate your claim online.

Once you have contacted CreateOn and verified that your specific model and UPC number are part of this recall, they will arrange for you to receive a free replacement set of pip-Cubes. Importantly, you do not need to pay for shipping to send the old ones back. CreateOn will provide you with a pre-paid return label. This means the logistics of getting the potentially hazardous items out of your home and into their quality control or disposal system is entirely handled by the company. You simply print the label, attach it to your packaging, and drop the box off at the designated carrier.

This approach is standard for serious safety recalls involving small, powerful components like these magnets. By providing a free replacement rather than just a refund, CreateOn ensures that you still have a safe magnetic building toy for your children while removing the dangerous units from circulation. It also helps them track exactly how many defective units are being returned versus how many might have been lost or discarded by consumers who did not report them. Please do not attempt to sell, donate, or give away the recalled cubes to friends or family. The only safe path forward is to use the official return process provided by CreateOn so that the dangerous magnets are properly processed and your children can continue to play with a verified, safe set.

What can happen if you ignore it

It is natural to feel hesitant about discarding a new toy or navigating the logistics of a return process, especially when the product appears intact and functional on the surface. However, continuing to use these recalled CreateOn magnetic cubes after learning of the hazard poses a severe, immediate threat that cannot be mitigated by visual inspection alone. The core issue is not merely that the magnets are powerful, but that they are small enough to fit entirely within a child’s mouth and strong enough to cause catastrophic internal damage if they become loose. Ignoring this recall means leaving a silent, mechanical trap in your home, one that relies on the unpredictable behavior of young children who explore their world through touch and taste.

If the seams of the pip-Cubes separate during play, high-powered magnets can escape. The danger escalates rapidly when more than one magnet is involved. When a child swallows two or more magnets, these powerful objects can attract each other across the walls of the intestines. This attraction pulls the intestinal tissue tightly between the magnets, cutting off blood flow to that section of the gut. Without blood supply, the tissue begins to die and can perforate, or tear, creating holes in the digestive tract. This is a life-threatening medical emergency known as peritonitis, which leads to severe infection, sepsis, and potentially death if not treated with immediate surgery.

Even if only one magnet is swallowed, it can still attract other metallic objects already present in the digestive system, such as coins or other magnetic toys. This interaction creates a similar clamping effect that can cause twisting of the intestines (volvulus) or blockages, both of which require invasive surgical intervention to correct. The CPSC has highlighted this specific mechanism because the consequences are not just painful; they are often irreversible without drastic medical measures. While no incidents have been reported with this specific batch of CreateOn products as of the recall date, the physics of magnet ingestion do not distinguish between brands or batches. A delay in acting means a delay in removing the hazard, leaving your children vulnerable to an injury that is entirely preventable.

The psychological and physical toll on families involved in magnet ingestion cases is profound. Children often require multiple surgeries, long hospital stays, and significant recovery time. Parents face the trauma of watching their child undergo emergency procedures and the anxiety of potential long-term health complications. By ignoring the recall, you are not just keeping a toy; you are accepting an unacceptable level of risk for a problem that has a simple, free solution. The remedy offered—a replacement set via prepaid return—is designed to remove this danger with minimal effort on your part. Choosing not to act prioritizes convenience over the safety and life of your child, a trade-off that no parent should ever have to make.

Staying safe: broader tips

Magnetic building sets have become a staple in many households because they offer an open-ended, screen-free way for children to explore geometry, engineering, and creativity. However, the very feature that makes them so popular—the powerful magnets inside—also requires vigilant oversight. While this specific recall addresses a defect in a particular batch of products, the underlying risk of magnet ingestion is a permanent reality for any home with strong magnetic toys. The most critical step you can take is to ensure these toys are only used by children who are old enough to understand and follow safety rules. Generally, experts recommend keeping magnetic building sets away from children under six years old, as younger kids often explore the world by putting objects in their mouths and may not recognize the danger of small, swallowable parts.

Regular inspection is just as important as age appropriateness. Even high-quality products can wear down over time, or seams may loosen with rough play. Make it a habit to check your magnetic toys periodically for any signs of damage, such as cracked shells, loose joints, or exposed magnets. If you notice that a cube no longer snaps together securely or if the casing feels fragile, remove it from play immediately. Do not attempt to repair these items yourself, as fixing the structural integrity does not guarantee the internal magnets are still safely encased. Treating worn-out toys as disposable prevents potential hazards before they become emergencies.

Storage and supervision also play a vital role in prevention. When not in use, keep magnetic building sets stored in their original packaging or in a secure container that is out of reach and sight of younger siblings or curious pets. This simple practice ensures that the pieces do not become accessible to those who should not be playing with them. Furthermore, always supervise playtime, especially when children are using magnets near metal objects like appliances or other toys, to ensure the pieces remain intact and are not being manipulated in unsafe ways.

Beyond this specific hazard, it is wise to adopt a proactive approach to home safety by staying informed about product recalls. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regularly issues alerts for dangerous goods, and signing up for email notifications or checking their website periodically can help you identify risks in your home early. Additionally, consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home if you have fuel-burning appliances, as these silent threats are another common cause of household emergencies. By combining active supervision with general awareness of safety standards, you create a protective environment that allows children to play freely while minimizing unnecessary risks.