Hobby Lobby Recalls Easter and July 4th Light-Up Spinner Toys Due to Choking and Ingestion Hazards

What was recalled

In May of 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a significant recall involving festive spinner toys distributed by Hobby Lobby Stores. This action was taken because specific batches of these popular seasonal items, designed to light up and spin for young children, contained a manufacturing defect that posed serious safety risks. The recalled products were two distinct themes: Easter-themed spinners and July 4th-themed spinners. These were not generic toys but specifically branded items where "Hobby Lobby" along with one of two item numbers, 9130033 or 9130082, was printed directly on the spinner handle.

The Easter-themed collection included blue spinners featuring a pink bunny design on the dome, as well as yellow spinners adorned with a yellow and orange chicken motif. The July 4th collection consisted of red spinners with white stars painted on a blue dome. All recalled units were battery-powered, utilizing three LR44 coin cell batteries to activate their light-up and spinning functions. While the CPSC announcement in this specific record does not provide an exact count of the total number of units sold or returned, it is important for consumers to check their homes for these specific designs and item numbers.

These toys were sold at Hobby Lobby retail locations across the United States, as well as at Mardel stores, which are also owned by the same parent company. The recall was initiated after reports emerged of a child ingesting one of the small batteries from the toy. Although the record notes only one incident involving a 14-month-old child, the potential for harm is severe enough to warrant immediate removal from households with young children. If you purchased these spinners during the relevant timeframe in 2017, it is crucial to verify if your item matches the described designs and printed markings.

The decision to recall these items stems from the fact that the battery cover on these spinners could detach during normal use. Once detached, the small coin cell batteries become exposed and accessible to children. This creates a dual hazard: the risk of choking on small parts and the far more dangerous risk of ingesting or inserting a button battery into any body orifice. Button batteries can cause severe internal burns in a very short time, making this recall a matter of urgent safety rather than mere inconvenience.

• Brand: Hobby Lobby
• Product Type: Battery-powered, light-up spinner toys
• Item Numbers: 9130033 or 9130082 (printed on handle)
• Themes: Easter (blue/pink bunny or yellow/orange chicken) and July 4th (red/white stars/blue dome)
• Battery Type: Three LR44 coin cell batteries
• Hazard: Detachable battery cover exposing small batteries

The hazard, explained

At first glance, these light-up spinner toys appear to be harmless fun, but a critical mechanical failure transforms them into a serious danger for young children. The core issue lies in the battery compartment, which is designed to hold three LR44 coin cell batteries. These are tiny, disc-shaped power sources that are essential for making the toy light up and spin, but they are also small enough to fit entirely inside a toddler’s mouth or throat. In this specific recall, the plastic cover securing these batteries does not stay firmly in place. Over time, or even with normal use, the latch or adhesive mechanism can fail, allowing the cover to detach completely.

Once the battery cover comes loose, the small coin cell batteries are left exposed and accessible. This is where the physical hazard becomes immediate and severe. For children under three years old, who naturally explore the world by putting objects in their mouths, these loose batteries are incredibly tempting. They look like candies or shiny marbles. If a child manages to pull one out of the toy, they may swallow it accidentally. The danger here is twofold: first, the simple mechanical risk of choking, where the battery blocks the airway; and second, the much more dangerous chemical risk of ingestion.

Ingestion of coin cell batteries is particularly frightening because of what happens inside the body. When a battery comes into contact with moist tissue in the esophagus or stomach, it can create an electrical current. This current generates heat and produces caustic chemicals that can burn through tissue in as little as two hours. While the recalled spinners use standard LR44 batteries, which are generally safer than larger lithium cells, they still pose a significant choking hazard and a risk of internal injury if swallowed. The CPSC notes that there has already been one confirmed incident involving a 14-month-old child who ingested one of these batteries. Fortunately, in that specific case, medical imaging showed the battery passed through the digestive tract without causing permanent damage, but this outcome is not guaranteed for every child.

The tragedy of this hazard is its subtlety. A toy that looks intact on the outside may have a compromised battery cover on the inside. Children do not need to break the toy to access the batteries; they only need enough force to pop the loose cover off. Because the batteries are small and can easily fall out of the compartment once the cover is removed, they become hidden dangers scattered around a play area. This is why immediate removal from the home is critical. The hazard is not just about broken plastic pieces; it is about access to a power source that can cause severe internal burns or blockage if swallowed.

Who is most at risk

While this recall involves festive party favors that might seem like harmless decorations or simple novelties, the specific danger lies in the small, powerful components hidden inside them. The primary group at immediate risk consists of young children, particularly toddlers between the ages of one and three years old. This age range is critical because it marks a developmental stage where curiosity outpaces caution. Children in this demographic naturally explore their world through touch and taste. They put objects in their mouths to understand what they are, how they feel, and whether they are edible. The recalled spinners contain LR44 coin cell batteries, which are small enough to fit entirely into a toddler’s mouth and small enough to slip down the esophagus. For a child of this size, even a brief moment of unsupervised play can turn dangerous if the battery cover detaches.

The risk is not limited to the children who own or directly play with the toys. It extends to any young child who might encounter these items in a shared space. These products were sold as party favors and decorations, meaning they often end up in environments where multiple children of varying ages are present. A toddler might find a discarded spinner on the floor after a holiday party, mistaking it for a toy or simply being drawn to its bright colors and light-up feature. The "Hobby Lobby" branding and the festive themes (Easter bunnies, chickens, stars) are designed to be appealing and engaging, which can inadvertently attract the attention of little ones who are drawn to visual stimuli. Once that attention is captured, the temptation to manipulate the object increases, raising the likelihood of the battery cover being pried off or broken.

It is also important to consider the vulnerability of the specific incident reported in this recall. The case involved a 14-month-old child who ingested a battery. At this age, children have no concept of choking hazards or the internal damage that can occur from ingestion. Their airways are narrow, and their swallowing mechanisms are still developing. If the battery is swallowed rather than choked on, it can lodge in the esophagus. This is particularly dangerous because coin cell batteries can leak alkaline contents upon contact with moisture, causing severe chemical burns to the tissue within hours. Therefore, the risk is not just about the physical object being small; it is about the physiological vulnerability of young children who cannot articulate pain or understand the severity of their situation until it is too late.

Additionally, while less common in this specific incident report, any individual with cognitive impairments or developmental delays that affect their ability to recognize danger or follow safety instructions may be at heightened risk. These individuals might not understand why they should not put small objects in their mouths or why they should avoid broken toys. For them, the presence of a recalled item with exposed batteries is a silent threat that requires extra vigilance from caregivers and family members who are responsible for their safety.

How to tell if you have the recalled item

Determining whether a toy currently sitting in your home or tucked away in a closet belongs to this specific recall requires a careful look at several key details. Because the products involved are seasonal and visually distinct, you need to check both the physical characteristics of the spinner itself and the markings printed directly on it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified two distinct themes of light-up spinner toys that were sold under the Hobby Lobby brand. To confirm if your item is affected, you must verify the design, the branding, and the specific item numbers associated with this safety notice.

First, examine the visual theme of your spinner. The recall covers two specific designs: Easter-themed spinners and July 4th-themed spinners. If your toy has an Easter theme, it will feature a dome decorated with either a pink bunny on a blue background or a yellow and orange chicken on a yellow background. If you have a patriotic design, look for a red spinner with white stars painted on a blue dome. These are the only two color schemes included in this recall. If your spinner is any other color or features a different character, it is likely not part of this specific batch.

Next, turn the toy over and inspect the handle closely. This is the most critical step for identification. You must look for the brand name "Hobby Lobby" printed clearly on the handle. Alongside the brand name, there will be a specific item number stamped or printed there. The recall affects only those units carrying one of two specific item numbers: 9130033 or 9130082. If you see a different item number, or if the brand name is missing entirely, this particular safety alert does not apply to your toy. It is important to note that these items are powered by three LR44 coin cell batteries, so checking the battery compartment can also help confirm the type of device, but the printed handle information is the definitive identifier.

If you are unsure whether you still have one of these toys, consider when and where you purchased it. These spinners were sold at Hobby Lobby stores and potentially through their online channels during the lead-up to Easter and July 4th. If you bought a light-up spinner from Hobby Lobby in recent years for these holidays, it is wise to check the handle for the item numbers mentioned above. When in doubt, the safest approach is to assume the toy might be part of the recall until you can verify the specific markings on the handle.

What to do — step by step

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you happen to have one of these recalled light-up spinner toys in your home, the good news is that Hobby Lobby has established a straightforward and consumer-friendly remedy. The company is not asking you to keep the defective item or attempt to fix it yourself. Instead, they are offering a full refund for anyone who can provide proof of purchase, or a store credit for those who cannot. This approach is designed to remove any financial barrier that might prevent you from getting rid of the hazardous product immediately. The priority here is safety and convenience, ensuring that you do not feel penalized for having purchased the item in good faith.

To initiate this process, you will need to take the recalled spinners directly to a physical retail location. Specifically, you should return the items to the nearest Hobby Lobby or Mardel store. These are the authorized locations where the remedy is being processed. When you arrive at the store, the staff will assist you with the return. If you still have your original receipt, you will receive a full refund of the purchase price. This means the money will be returned to you exactly as it was paid, whether that was via credit card, debit, or cash. It is a complete reversal of the transaction, acknowledging that the product could not safely fulfill its intended purpose.

For those of you who may have misplaced your receipt or purchased the item some time ago and no longer have the documentation, do not worry. Hobby Lobby has accounted for this common scenario. If you do not have a receipt, you will still be helped out. In this case, instead of a cash refund to your original payment method, you will receive a store credit. This credit can typically be used for future purchases at Hobby Lobby or Mardel. While it is not the same as getting your money back into your bank account, it ensures that you are not losing the value of the toy. The key takeaway is that both paths lead to you being made whole, either financially or through credit, so there is no financial loss on your part for doing the right thing.

Once you have decided to return the item, contact information is available if you have questions before heading to the store. You can call Hobby Lobby Stores at 800-326-7931 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can visit www.hobbylobby.com and click on the Recall tab for additional online information. This ensures that you have multiple ways to get clarity on the process before you make the trip to the store.

What can happen if you ignore it

Staying safe: broader tips