A popular children’s toy sold at Kmart and Target has been recalled just weeks before Christmas because it could cause serious injury or even death.
Small screws in the Pop and Surprise Playset may come loose and authorities say they present a choking hazard.
“There is a risk of serious injury or death by choking if small parts separate from the toy and a child places them in their mouth,” a recall notice said.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
“Incidents have occurred.”
The toy, for children under three years of age, was sold by Kmart and Target in store and online between January 16, 2020 and November 7, 2025.
Authorities say it is only the batch 20/25 made in Vietnam — with the Kmart code 42821427 or Target code 69576577 found on the bottom of the toy — that is affected.
The Pop and Surprise Playset has been recalled because it is a choking hazard. Credit: Supplied
Shoppers have been urged to box the toy immediately, keeping it out of reach of children.
They can return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.
“Contact the place of purchase if you are unable to return the product or have sold or gifted it to another person,” the alert read.
The warning sent parents into a frenzy.
“Looks like we are throwing the kids’ favourite toy out,” one said.
Another said their child went “straight to this toy at daycare this morning”.
Kmart and Target sand products have been recalled over asbestos contamination fears. Credit: ACCC
The alert comes after Kmart and Target were also caught up in the saga involving popular coloured play sand amid fears they are contaminated with asbestos.
Four play sand products — Active Sandtub 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set, Blue Magic Sand, Green Magic Sand and Pink Magic Sand — were pulled from the retailers’ shelves at the weekend.
“The products may cause a risk to health as asbestos has been detected in some samples after laboratory testing,” the safety recall read.
“Importantly, respirable asbestos has not been detected in any of the tested samples.
“The release of respirable asbestos fibres is unlikely to occur in its current state, unless the sand is processed by mechanical means such as crushing or pulverising.
“The risk that any asbestos found is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low.”
The advice to people with these products is to stop using them immediately and place them in a heavy-duty plastic bag.
They should not be thrown out in the general waste, and information about disposing of the sand can be found here.
Full refunds are being offered.
Tears flow as shattered family says goodbye to Ben Austin
4 min read
Shocking twist after dog found dead in dumped car
1 min read