Puffinnursery Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Hi Everyone, This afternoon a parent brought in a bag full of Aquabeads. She's been using them with her two over halfterm and they look like great fun. She's given us a couple of packs as they were dead cheap to buy on Amazon. I really want to give it ago, but I'm a bit concerned about the safety aspect. Is anyone else using them? Are they safe for children to eat? What are they made from? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Water-Beads-Crystal-Wedding-Decoration/dp/B0082ZT2A4/ref=sr_1_24?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1456153198&sr=1-24&keywords=aqua+beads Best, Alex Edited February 22, 2016 by Puffinnursery
thumperrabbit Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I've looked at those before too, but have steered clear as I'm concerned about my 2yr olds thinking they are sweets!
Puffinnursery Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 Yeah I'm wondering if its a bit like play dough and you can't eat a bit without really worrying, but you wouldn't want to eat much anyway. They seem to be mostly water.
diesel10 Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Hi Alex If you read the reviews (yes, I'm that sado that does) most people have bought them for kids to play with. Does it say non toxic on the packet? They do look a bit like gelli baff though. Which I hate as its like ice if you get it on the floor.
lsp Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Is it more of a choking hazard than toxic? Don't know as I have never seen it.
zigzag Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 We had these in our tuff spot today, the children really enjoy them. It's like everything we use, just have simple rules when playing with them and observant staff in that area. They are great for noticing changes. We showed the children them before and after and the comments and comparisons they made were great. Go for it and have fun!! 3
Cait Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Mine loved them when I used them. They do tend to break them if they aren't careful. They are great for noticing changes as they shrink if they are out of water a long time, and swell up hugely if left in the water tray too long - then they are almost transparent and a good deal of fishing has to go on to find them - great for colanders and strainers! I only used them under supervision, and usually when the frogspawn was in season as an aid to what it could feel like. To be honest, adult supervision was never a problem as it's hard to get an adult out of the water tray or washing up bowl when these are in! 1
Cait Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Oh, and if they are rinsed after use, they keep for ages covered up in the fridge!
finleysmaid Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I have used these before with no issues ...I think they would be quite difficult to choke on. If however you want to use something similar in the future that is edible try tapioca peals ...sometimes come under bubble tea when searching 1
zigzag Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 The children tend to squash ours so are not a choking hazard!!
Beau Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 I found this but these are probably bigger than the ones you are talking about? https://www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids/children-and-safety/toys-and-safety-at-play/articles/accc-warning-on-kids-water-beads-danger-120315
Beau Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 And this http://www.apspjcaserep.com/documents/ajcr-3/webpages/ajcr-3-6.html
Puffinnursery Posted February 23, 2016 Author Posted February 23, 2016 Thanks everyone- this is all super useful. I think I might give it a go under some supervised circumstances, but I'm not keen on the idea of the balls expanding and causing a blockage in children's intestines. I'm going to get researching the Tapioca balls idea.
Cait Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Thanks everyone- this is all super useful. I think I might give it a go under some supervised circumstances, but I'm not keen on the idea of the balls expanding and causing a blockage in children's intestines. I'm going to get researching the Tapioca balls idea. When I say 'hugely' obviously I'm not talking grapefruit sized. It's perhaps 50% though. Once swollen, they do break more easily.
finleysmaid Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 And this http://www.apspjcaserep.com/documents/ajcr-3/webpages/ajcr-3-6.html im not being funny but how the heck did a 6 month old get hold of them and then eat them and then why did his parents wait 25 days to get help! ...awful but pretty unlikely! 1
Cait Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 im not being funny but how the heck did a 6 month old get hold of them and then eat them and then why did his parents wait 25 days to get help! ...awful but pretty unlikely! I was thinking exactly the same thing - plus the length of time it would take for a six month old to physically eat them, unsupervised all that time.
Beau Posted February 24, 2016 Posted February 24, 2016 That case was in Pakistan but I think you just need to be aware that if they are eaten they may cause serious intestinal issues. If you are going to be using them the children would need to be fully supervised throughout rather than them being left out to access freely during the session.
Panders Posted February 24, 2016 Posted February 24, 2016 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3304394.htm I thought we were talking about these things -obviously, there is something else people are using??
Puffinnursery Posted February 25, 2016 Author Posted February 25, 2016 Yes- there not what we we're talking about, though they might be quite similar.
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