Asbestos in sand toys: every UK alert so far
By Lewis C. From official GOV.UK alerts, checked 1 October 2026.
Quick answer
The UK has issued 39 safety alerts for sand-filled toys where the sand may contain asbestos, every one of them in 2026. That makes asbestos the most common reason a toy has been flagged this year. If your child has a sand-filled squishy, stretchy figure or sand art kit, check it below. If it's on the list, don't open it. Seal it in a bag and contact the seller.
What's going on
In the UK toy alerts going back to 2021, asbestos never came up until this year. Then, from early 2026, a run of sand-filled toys were found with sand that may be contaminated with asbestos: stretchy animals, squishy figures and sand art sets from several brands and shops, including some sold through big retailers. That's 39 of the 121 toy alerts this year.
The alerts say asbestos is banned because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure. The Health and Safety Executive explains that asbestos becomes a risk when it's disturbed and its fibres get into the air and are breathed in. That's why the advice is to keep the toy sealed rather than cut it open.
Brands named in the alerts include YongnKids, Smyths Toys, Kiddo World, Haunted House, Wizz Toys, Galt and others.
If your child has one
- Take it away and don't cut, squeeze or open it.
- Seal it in a plastic bag.
- Follow the official notice (each alert below links to it). It usually means a refund from the seller.
- Seller not helping? Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.
Every asbestos toy alert
SHEIN Children’s Wooden Acrylic Rainbow Sensory Blocks
The product presents a risk to health as the sand inside the sand-filled blocks may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
YongnKids Theme Scene Sandbox Toy Kit sold via Amazon
The product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Smyths Toys Wooden Cornhole Board with Bean Bags
The product presents a risk to health as the sand inside the bags may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Kiddo World Make Your Own Sensory Bin Construction Site
The product presents a risk to health as the play sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Haunted House Jumbos and Filled Critters Toys
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Wizz Toys 13.5cm Dino Sand Stretchy Racers
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Wizz Toys 15cm Nana Banana Stress Toy
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Wizz Toys 7.4cm x 4cm Wishing Bottles
The product presents a risk to health as the sand inside the bottles may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Wizz Toys Jumbo Mr Splat Stretch Men
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Wizz Toys Squishy Sand Yeti Monsters
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Sand-Filled Weirdo Toys sold via Amazon
The product presents a risk to health as the sand in the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the coloured sand included in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
HTI Toys Fun Sand Art Bottle Kit
The product presents a risk to health as the sand in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the four sand-filled blocks may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
KTL Glitter and Glow Magical Sand Art Kit
The product presents a risk to health as the sand inside the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Grafix Make Your Own Sand Bottle (Star & Heart) sold by ASDA
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Craft Time Sand Art Bracelets sold by Home Bargains
The product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Hunter Price's Crayola-Branded Discovery Craft Box
The product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Hunter Price’s Crayola-Branded Touchy Feely Craft Box
The product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the kit may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Stretchy Gorilla Toys sold by Home Bargains
The product presents a risk to health as the sand inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
HGL Stretchy Sand Monster Truck/Car Toys
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Scrunchems Stretchies Sleepy Dino Toy
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Squishy Sausage Dogs and Squishy Pugs
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
KTL 2.2kg Squishy Hot Colour Gorilla Toy sold via OnBuy
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
KTL 3Pcs Test Tube Science Kit
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
KTL 6" Stretchy Monster 6 Assorted Stretchy Toys
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
WOODEN QIYI Sand Activity Toy sold via AliBaba, Amazon, DH Gate and TikTok
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The product presents a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
Search all toy alerts by name or barcode in the toy recall checker. Squishy-specific: squishy recall tracker.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources: GOV.UK product safety alerts, reports and recalls, HSE: why is asbestos dangerous?