What was recalled
If you have recently visited a Target store or shopped online for baby and toddler toys, you may have encountered the "Manhattan Ball" activity toy from Manhattan Toy. This specific product is currently the subject of an official recall issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It is important to understand exactly what this item is, how it was distributed, and which specific versions are affected so you can determine if your home contains one of these units. The recall centers on a plastic activity toy designed for young children, featuring a distinctive structure that includes a hard plastic center ball with twelve soft plastic tubes inserted into it. Additionally, the toy comes equipped with seven silicone teethers that are threaded onto these plastic tubes.
The identification of the recalled items is precise and relies on specific markings found directly on the product itself. You can identify a potentially affected toy by looking at the hard plastic center ball. The manufacturer's name, "The Manhattan Toy Company," along with a lot code printed on this central sphere will tell you if the item is part of this recall. Specifically, units bearing the lot codes 325700EL or 325700IL are included in this safety action. These lot codes serve as the critical link between your physical toy and the official record of the recall.
Regarding the scope of the distribution, these recalled toys were sold exclusively at Target stores. This exclusivity means that if you purchased a Manhattan Ball activity toy from a different retailer, such as a local baby store or an online marketplace other than Target, it is likely not part of this specific recall event. However, because the hazard involves a structural failure that can occur during normal use, verifying the lot code on any similar toy in your possession is a prudent step. The recall was officially announced on July 22, 2020, which provides context for when these items were likely circulating in the market. While the date may seem distant, these toys have long shelf lives and may still be found in homes where they were purchased as gifts or kept in storage.
Understanding the physical description of the toy helps in visualizing why it was flagged for review. The design combines rigid and flexible elements: a durable plastic core with soft, pliable tubes and silicone attachments. This combination is intended to be engaging for infants and toddlers, offering varied textures and tactile feedback. However, the recall highlights that this specific configuration, when subjected to the pulling and mouthing behaviors typical of young children, has proven unsafe in certain instances. By focusing on the exact brand, model characteristics, lot codes, and sales channel, you can accurately assess whether your household needs to take immediate action regarding this product.
The hazard, explained
At its core, this recall addresses a structural failure in the Manhattan Ball activity toy that transforms a safe plaything into a dangerous object for young children. The design of the toy relies on a specific configuration: a hard plastic center ball with twelve soft plastic tubes inserted directly into it, along with seven silicone teethers threaded onto those tubes. While this arrangement is intended to provide engaging sensory stimulation through texture and movement, the mechanism that holds these components together has proven unreliable under normal use conditions.
The primary physical failure point occurs where the soft plastic tubes connect to the hard plastic center ball. According to reports from Manhattan Toy, the tubes can detach completely from this central hub. This is not merely a cosmetic issue; it compromises the integrity of the entire assembly. Once a tube pulls free, the tension that kept the silicone teethers in place is released or altered. Consequently, these small silicone pieces, which are threaded onto the tubes, can easily slip off and become loose objects in their own right. This creates a classic choking scenario where small, hard-to-see parts break away from a larger toy during play.
The severity of this hazard is underscored by the nature of the detached components. The silicone teethers are small enough to fit into the airway of a young child’s throat. When these pieces separate, they present an immediate risk of obstruction. This is particularly dangerous because children often explore objects with their mouths, a developmental behavior that makes them highly vulnerable to choking on small detachable parts. The recall data confirms that this is not just a theoretical risk; there have been documented instances where the silicone teether separated from the toy and was subsequently mouthed by a child.
While the toy is designed with soft materials to be gentle on gums, the hard plastic center ball remains rigid. If the tube detaches with force, or if the child attempts to pull at the loose end, the risk of injury extends beyond choking. However, the most critical danger remains the potential for a small silicone part to block the airway. It is important to understand that this hazard does not require the toy to break into sharp shards; the simple act of a component becoming unattached and accessible is sufficient to create a life-threatening situation. This is why the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) considers this a serious defect that requires immediate remediation.
Understanding the "how" behind this hazard helps explain why general supervision might not be enough. The detachment can happen during normal handling, such as when a child grasps the toy firmly or shakes it to hear the teethers rattle. The connection between the tube and the ball is the weak link in the chain of safety. Once that link breaks, the small silicone pieces are no longer secured by any mechanism other than friction, which can fail quickly. This is why the remedy involves removing the toy entirely rather than attempting to repair it, as the underlying design flaw remains until the product is replaced or refunded.
Who is most at risk
When looking at this specific recall involving the Manhattan Toy “Manhattan Ball,” the primary group at immediate risk consists of infants and toddlers who are in the developmental stage where they explore their environment primarily through touch and taste. Because these activity toys are designed to be held, shaken, and mouthed, they are naturally placed directly into the mouths of young children. This behavior is not just common; it is a critical part of how babies learn about texture, weight, and cause-and-effect. The hazard here is particularly acute for children under three years old, who often lack the physical coordination to keep small objects out of their airways and do not yet have the cognitive understanding that some items are dangerous if swallowed.
The specific design of this recalled item creates a trap for caregivers. The toy features seven silicone teethers threaded onto soft plastic tubes that insert into a central ball. While the tubes and teethers are intended to provide sensory stimulation, they can detach from the center ball, leaving behind loose components that are small enough to fit entirely inside a child’s throat. For a toddler whose windpipe is roughly the size of a drinking straw, even a small silicone teether or broken piece of plastic represents a severe choking hazard. The CPSC reports indicate that this detachment has already occurred in six separate instances, with two confirmed separations of the silicone teethers and one report of a child actually mouthing the detached piece. These are not theoretical risks; they are documented events involving real children.
Beyond the immediate physical danger of choking, there is a secondary risk related to parental trust in retail environments. Because these toys were sold exclusively at Target, many parents may have purchased them during regular shopping trips without anticipating a defect. The fact that the toy appears sturdy and well-made can lull caregivers into a false sense of security. However, the integrity of the connection between the plastic tubes and the center ball is the critical failure point. If that connection weakens or breaks, the toy transforms from a developmental tool into a potential emergency. Therefore, any caregiver who has given this toy to a child who puts objects in their mouth—particularly those aged twelve to thirty-six months—is operating in the highest risk category.
It is also important to note that while older siblings might play with the toy safely, the presence of younger children in the same household increases the overall risk. An older child might accidentally break the toy during play, or a younger sibling might find discarded parts after the toy has degraded. The recall specifically notes lot codes 325700EL and 325700IL printed on the center ball, meaning that any unit with these markings has not passed safety testing for this specific vulnerability. Parents should not assume that a toy bought recently is safe; if it matches the description of having twelve soft plastic tubes and seven silicone teethers, it falls under this warning regardless of when it was purchased.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
If you have a Manhattan Toy "Manhattan Ball" activity toy in your home, it is important to verify whether yours is part of this specific recall before taking any action. Because these toys are designed for sensory play, they can look quite similar to other products on the market, so you need to look closely at the physical details and the packaging history to be sure. The first thing to check is the construction of the toy itself. You are looking for a hard plastic center ball with twelve soft plastic tubes inserted into it. On these tubes, there should be seven silicone teethers threaded in place. If your toy matches this description, it is a candidate for the recall, but you must confirm the specific batch.
The most definitive way to identify whether your toy is included in this recall is to inspect the center ball directly. You need to look for printed text on that hard plastic sphere. Specifically, check for the name "The Manhattan Toy Company" and a lot code printed clearly on the surface. The recalled items will have one of two specific lot codes: 325700EL or 325700IL. If you see either of these codes, your toy is part of this recall and should be addressed immediately. If the lot code is different, or if it is missing entirely, it may not be subject to this specific safety notice, though you should still exercise caution with any toy showing signs of wear.
In addition to the physical markings, consider where and when you purchased the item. This recall applies to toys sold exclusively at Target stores. If you bought the Manhattan Ball activity toy from a different retailer, such as Amazon, Walmart, or a local baby store, it is likely not part of this specific recall event, as the distribution was limited to Target. However, if you are unsure about your purchase history or cannot find the lot code easily, it is always safer to assume the risk and contact the manufacturer for confirmation rather than guessing.
To help you identify the toy correctly, keep these key identifiers in mind:
- Brand Name: Manhattan Toy
- Product Name: Manhattan Ball Activity Toy
- Physical Description: Hard plastic center ball with 12 soft plastic tubes and 7 silicone teethers
- Markings on Center Ball: "The Manhattan Toy Company" and lot code 325700EL or 325700IL
- Retailer: Sold exclusively at Target
If you find the matching lot code, please stop using the toy right away. Do not wait to see if the tubes detach. The hazard is real and has already resulted in incidents where teethers separated from the ball. Take the toy away from children immediately and proceed with the return or refund process outlined by Manhattan Toy.
What to do — step by step
If you have the recalled Manhattan Ball activity toy in your home, the most important thing you can do right now is to remove it from your child’s reach immediately. This is not a situation where you can wait to see if the problem gets worse; the hazard is already present and documented. The CPSC has received reports of the plastic tubes detaching from the center ball, which releases the small silicone teethers. These detached pieces pose a serious choking risk to young children who might put them in their mouths. Therefore, your first step is to stop using the toy entirely. Do not attempt to fix it yourself with glue or tape, as these fixes are not part of the official remedy and may create additional hazards or fail under normal play conditions.
Once the toy is safely out of reach, you have two clear options for resolving the issue: returning it to a Target store or contacting Manhattan Toy directly. Since these toys were sold exclusively at Target, returning the item to any Target location is often the most straightforward path. You do not need your receipt in many cases, but having it can help expedite the process. When you go to the store, explain that you have a product subject to a CPSC recall due to a choking hazard. Target staff should be able to process a full refund for you. This is a no-questions-asked remedy designed to put your mind at ease and remove the danger from your home completely.
If you are unable to visit a Target store, or if you prefer to handle this through the manufacturer, you can contact Manhattan Toy directly. They have set up specific channels for recall-related inquiries. You can call them at 800-541-1345. Please note that their customer service hours for this recall are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Thursday. If you prefer written communication, you can send an email to help@manhattantoy.com. Alternatively, you can visit their website at www.manhattantoy.com and click on the ‘Recall Information’ section for further details or instructions on how to proceed with a refund or replacement. Whichever method you choose, ensure you keep any confirmation numbers or emails you receive as proof that you have acted responsibly.
After you have arranged for the refund or return, dispose of the toy carefully if instructed to do so by the manufacturer, ensuring that no small parts remain accessible to children in your household. It is also a good idea to inform other family members or caregivers who might use the toy that it has been recalled and removed from service. By taking these steps promptly, you are not only complying with safety guidelines but actively protecting your child from a known risk. Your peace of mind is worth the small effort required to complete this process.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have determined that you possess one of the recalled Manhattan Ball activity toys, your immediate priority should be securing a safe resolution for the item. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has confirmed that Manhattan Toy is not offering a repair kit or a direct product exchange for this specific model. Instead, the official remedy provided by the manufacturer is a full refund. This means you are entitled to get your money back in its entirety, with no deductions for wear and tear or usage time, because the product fails to meet safety standards due to the risk of small parts detaching.
You have two convenient avenues to process this refund, both of which are equally valid and supported by the recall notice. The first option is to return the toy directly to any Target store. Because these items were sold exclusively at Target, the retailer has been authorized to handle the return process on behalf of the manufacturer. You do not need to go back to the specific location where you made the purchase; any Target branch will accept the item. When you bring it in, simply inform a team member that you are returning a recalled Manhattan Ball toy. They will process the refund to your original form of payment or provide store credit, depending on their current policy and your preference. This is often the fastest route if you have a Target nearby, as it avoids shipping delays.
The second option is to contact Manhattan Toy directly to arrange your refund. If you do not have easy access to a Target store, or if you prefer to handle the communication through customer service channels, you can reach out to the company’s support team. You can call them at 800-541-1345. It is important to note their operating hours: they are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Thursday. If those days do not work for your schedule, you may also send an email to help@manhattantoy.com. For additional guidance or to view the official recall information online, you can visit www.manhattantoy.com and click on the ‘Recall Information’ section.
When initiating a refund through either channel, be prepared to provide some basic details to verify that your item is part of this specific recall batch. The recall applies only to units where "The Manhattan Toy Company" and lot code 325700EL or 325700IL are printed on the center ball. Having the lot code ready will help customer service representatives or store associates verify the item quickly and ensure you receive your full refund without unnecessary delays. Remember, you do not need to wait for confirmation from the government agency; the manufacturer’s offer stands as long as you present the recalled item.
Please keep in mind that this remedy is strictly a financial refund. There are no coupons or discounts offered for future purchases as part of this recall process. The goal here is simply to remove the hazardous product from your home and compensate you for it. Once you have successfully processed the return or received your refund confirmation, ensure that the toy is disposed of safely so that no other family member or neighbor can retrieve it. By taking these steps, you are not only protecting your own household but also helping to keep the broader community safe from the choking hazard posed by the detaching plastic tubes and silicone teethers.
What can happen if you ignore it
When a product recall is issued for a toy intended for young children, the urgency is rarely about minor inconvenience or poor customer service; it is about immediate physical safety. Ignoring a recall notice for the Manhattan Toy 'Manhattan Ball' activity toys means continuing to expose infants and toddlers to a specific, documented mechanical failure that can have serious consequences. The core issue here is not just that the toy might break, but how its design interacts with the natural developmental behaviors of young children, particularly their tendency to explore the world through their mouths.
The hazard stems from the construction of the toy itself. The 'Manhattan Ball' consists of a hard plastic center ball with twelve soft plastic tubes inserted into it, along with seven silicone teethers threaded onto those tubes. Over time, or due to the vigorous pulling and gnawing typical of teething babies, these components can separate. Manhattan Toy has already documented six incidents where the plastic tubes detached from the center ball. More critically, in several of these cases, the silicone teethers were fully separated from the toy structure. If you continue to use the recalled unit, you are allowing a small, hard-to-see object to become loose within an environment where a child is likely to put it in their mouth.
The real-world consequence of this detachment is a high risk of choking. For infants and toddlers under the age of three, whose airways are remarkably narrow, even small objects like the silicone teethers on this toy can become fatal obstructions. The reports indicate that there has already been at least one incident where a child mouthed a silicone teether after it came off the toy. While no injuries were reported in that specific instance, the potential for harm is severe and immediate. Choking is a leading cause of accidental death in young children, and it can happen in seconds, often without warning or noise.
Beyond the acute risk of choking, there is also the danger of aspiration. If a small part is inhaled rather than swallowed, it can lodge in the lungs, causing pneumonia, lung damage, or requiring emergency surgical intervention to remove. Parents who ignore the recall might assume that because the toy looks intact from the outside, it is safe to play with. However, the internal tension holding the teethers on the tubes may be compromised, making any pull or tug a potential disaster waiting to happen. The silence of a choking child is often the most terrifying sign, meaning there is no time to react once the incident begins.
Furthermore, ignoring the recall denies you the opportunity to secure a full refund or replace the item with a safe alternative. By keeping the recalled toy, you are essentially gambling with your child's safety based on hope rather than evidence. The manufacturer has acknowledged the defect, and the CPSC has stepped in precisely because this is not a hypothetical risk but a known failure pattern. Continuing to use the toy means you are bearing 100% of the responsibility for a preventable accident. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your child’s environment is free from known hazards is worth far more than keeping a defective toy. Do not wait for a second incident report to validate what is already known: this toy poses a genuine, immediate threat to young children.
Staying safe: broader tips
While this specific recall addresses a manufacturing flaw in a particular activity toy, the underlying risk—small parts detaching from playthings—is a common challenge for households with infants and toddlers. Staying safe doesn’t just mean reacting to bad news; it means building habits that prevent accidents before they happen. One of the most effective strategies is regular, proactive inspection of every toy in your child’s environment. Over time, plastic can become brittle due to sun exposure or temperature changes, and seams can weaken with repeated chewing and pulling. Make it a routine part of your cleaning schedule to gently tug on attached parts like tubes, rings, and beads. If anything feels loose, wobbly, or cracked, remove the toy from circulation immediately. Do not wait for it to break completely; structural integrity is often compromised long before a catastrophic failure occurs.
Another critical layer of protection is understanding how children interact with objects differently than adults. What looks like a secure attachment to an adult eye may be easily pulled apart by small fingers and teeth. Always verify that any toy you purchase meets current safety standards, such as those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Look for labels indicating compliance with ASTM F963, the standard consumer safety specification for toy safety. However, do not rely solely on labels. Read manufacturer instructions carefully, particularly age grading. A toy labeled "not for children under 3" is not a suggestion; it is a warning based on the size of its components relative to a child’s airway. If a part can fit entirely inside a standard toilet paper tube, it is a choking hazard for young children.
Finally, stay informed by registering your products and subscribing to official recall alerts. Manufacturers often send out direct notifications if a defect is discovered post-purchase, but you must provide your contact information to receive them. You can also sign up for email updates from the CPSC or follow their social media channels. These alerts allow you to act quickly, turning a potential emergency into a simple administrative task. Additionally, consider creating a "safe play zone" in your home where all items have been vetted for age-appropriateness and structural soundness. By combining vigilant inspection with up-to-date knowledge of safety standards, you create a buffer of safety that protects your child even when unexpected issues arise. Peace of mind comes from preparation, not just reaction.