Bright Starts Oball Shaker Rattle Toy | Amazon Best Seller | Complete Review: An Honest Look
In this article, I will give you an honest look at Amazon’s Top Best Seller B. But first, my name is Christina, and I have had the opportunity to go hands-on with many toys while parenting five kids spanning 19 years. I always call it the good, the bad, and the ugly with the toys I have seen. I have made some “poor decisions” on toys and have learned a lot through these experiences. Owning an e-commerce toy store alongside my parenting of 5 children has given me more toy experience than I have ever thought I would have. I have also had the pleasure of speaking with the President and CEO of major Toy manufacturers asking for my advice on different toys.
I will combine all my experience and knowledge to give you the most comprehensive toy review possible. A product description will be given, my Sustainable Toy Review for Oball Shaker Rattle Toy, Pros/Cons, and an FAQ featuring: Where does Oball Shaker Rattle Toy fit into the sustainable toy category? What is Oball Shaker Rattle Toy? What is it made of? Is it eco-friendly? This is, sadly, one of the top baby toys selling on Amazon. I will tell you why this is a bad thing.
Product Description:
The Oball Shaker Toy is designed specifically for babies, with a size and shape that is easy for their little hands to grip and grab. It features a clear, textured handle that reveals brightly colored beads, creating a rattling sound that will delight and entertain your baby. The ends of the rattle are made of flexible yet firm Oball material, allowing your baby to squeeze and play with it in various ways.
The shaker toy includes two mini Oballs that are flexible and teethable, providing additional tactile stimulation for your baby. The colorful rattle beads inside create fun sounds that capture your baby’s attention. The textured rattle is made of BPA-free materials and is designed to be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. It’s important to note that the rattle should not be immersed in water.
The Oball Shaker Toy is made in China and offers a playful and engaging sensory experience for your baby, promoting their fine motor skills and sensory development.
| Customer Reviews |
56,200 ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars |
|---|---|
| Best Sellers Rank | #12 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #1 in Baby Rattles & Plush Rings #3 in Pre-Kindergarten Toys |
Christina’s Toy Review consists of 5 standardized criteria categories:
1. Sustainability:
A. Product: Polyurethane
B. Packaging: Amazon Packaging
C. Origin/Company: China
2. Playability:
A. Open-ended: Yes
B. Active Parent engagement: Yes, like most rattles
C. Playtime: 5-10 minutes
3. Durability:
A. Craftmanship: Hard Plastic
B. Quality: Poor
C. Price/Value: Cheap
4. Longevity:
A. Landfill or Heirloom: Landfill
B. Lifespan of Toy (Age Range): 6 months
C. Multi-age Families: No
5. Versatility:
A. Combined with other toys: No
B. Creativity Function: No
C. Storage: Small
Pros:
- Like most rattles, babies love these types of toys. It shakes, and it’s colorful.
Cons:
- It’s made of polyurethane. If you read “Are China Toys Safe?” you would avoid these toys for your little one at all costs. It’s hard plastic from China with little to no oversite, and your little one will be chewing on this constantly. There are so many amazing sustainable rattles out there to try.
FAQ:
What Is Oball Shaker Rattle?
Kinetic sand is a cool sensory toy. It’s designed to feel and act like wet sand always does. The result is a type of sand that sticks together, allowing you to let it slowly flow through your fingers or build sandcastles with it. This effect is achieved by combining ultra-fine grain sand with a polymer called dimethicone or polydimethylsiloxane. While this might sound like a scary-sounding chemical, it’s safe and commonly used. There’s a good chance that you’ll find it on the list of ingredients of your diaper rash cream or a tub of silly putty.
Who makes the Oball Shaker Rattle?
Bright Starts make it. It is the epitome of everything wrong with the toy industry. Their parent company is Kids 2. They have NO SUSTAINABLE MISSION and have numerous recalls on their plastic toys. If you read my Top Sustainable Toy Companies, you will see what lengths these companies go to for our children, the community, and the environment.
Is Oball Shaker Rattle eco-friendly?
Absolutely Not. Not recyclable. When your baby is finished chewing on the plastic, these go straight to the landfill—the company has no sustainable mission, as mentioned above.
Do I personally recommend this product?
Absolutely Not! A similar product was recalled in 2017 (Name of Product: Oball Rattles, Hazard: The clear plastic disc on the outside of the oball rattles can break, releasing small beads, posing a choking hazard to young children.)
According to the research, younger children were reported to be the most affected by plastic ingestion. Young children are also at greater risk since they often insert plastic objects into their mouths. Baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings, and toys are often made with phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA). I wrote “5 Ways to Reduce Plastics For Your Child,” This is a great way to get started on lessening your child’s plastic exposure.
Who is this product best for?
Newborn+
Where can the product be purchased? At the best price?
It can be purchased at most major retailers and Amazon at around $3.00
Choose these Alternatives!
I have written several articles below highlighting some of the best teethers and rattles on the market. Please consider them for your little one.
Color Carousel Wooden Baby Rattle | Develop Fine Motor Skills – HABA
- Colorful wooden clutching toy
- Changes shape when manipulated
- Helps develop fine motor skills and first clutching of objects
- Made in Germany
- Recommended for Ages 6 – 12 months
- Brightly colored with non-toxic water-based stains
-
Material: sturdy beech wood
Unfinished Oval Bead Rattle | Natural | USA Made
Introduce your child to the joys of natural play with our Unfinished Natural Oval Bead Rattle, the perfect addition to your child’s toy collection.
- It is made in the USA from locally sourced, responsibly harvested maple hardwood.
- No finish or paint is applied, making it safe for babies to play with and environmentally sustainable.
- Measures 2-1/2″ long, with oval ends that are 1-1/2″ by 2-1/2″.
- It is constructed with solid wood, with 3/4″ thick ends.
- Beads float freely on six pegs, creating maximum sound and movement to capture your child’s attention.
- They are individually wrapped for shipping to ensure that it arrives in perfect condition.
- Perfect for families who are environmentally conscious and want to introduce their children to natural play.
- They are crafted with love and care, using the highest quality materials and techniques.
- To learn more about Maple Landmark, see my Brand Spotlight HERE.
- Included in my top Sustainable Toy Companies.
Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle And Teether Grasping Activity Toy
The Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether by Manhattan Toy is a multi-sensory baby toy that encourages grasping and reaching, promoting gross motor skills development. Its lightweight wooden dowels, smooth finish, and elastic ties make it easy for little hands to grab and manipulate. This wooden rattle provides a pleasing sound as the beads slide back and forth on the dowels, allowing babies to hear and learn cause and effect. It also doubles as a teether, with its unique design allowing it to flatten or “squish” and always return to its original shape.
Crafted with heirloom quality, the Skwish is made from safe materials and features baby-safe water-based acrylics. Its tactile qualities include a smooth wood grain texture, providing sensory stimulation for babies. Manhattan Toy, the brand behind the Skwish, has been a trusted source of imaginative toys since 1978. They prioritize safety and are committed to providing honest and caring products for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages.
My Top Baby Rattles and Teethers List!
Products to Avoid:
- All products from this company
- All plastic products for babies
- Toys made in China
Summary:
In conclusion, this Oball Shaker Rattle Toy Review shows why this product is a bit overrated. First, it’s plastic! Secondly, it’s for babies! And lastly, it was cheap. I would say it is the least sustainable toy since it’s completely plastic and toxic. I would not recommend this product. Try the incredible alternatives mentioned above. If you have questions or comments, please leave a comment below.
Final Thoughts
I started The Baby Penguin to highlight the fantastic sustainable toys and companies that chose to put our children, the environment and our communities ahead of the bottom line. I usually focus on the positives of sustainable toys in my articles, but I wanted to share my research on the unsustainable ones here. Are “Made in China” toys safe? The research suggests most are not, and it is a necessary risk for your child when there are plenty of alternatives. It is eye-opening.
What are your thoughts on Chinese-made toys? I would love to hear from you! There are so many incredible benefits to sustainable toys. I created a Sustainable Toy Handbook to help be your guide to understanding why sustainable toy choices as a parent are essential in an unsustainable world. We can all change the world…one toy at a time!
First, Why Shop at The Baby Penguin?
At my toy store, we have curated a collection of the best eco-friendly toys & brands available, including Haba, Wishbone, PlanToys, Kapla, Maple Landmark, and many more. We have done the research and hard work for you, ensuring that all our products are made from sustainable materials and safe for children of all ages. We aim to provide a one-stop shop for all your eco-friendly toy needs while promoting a green and sustainable lifestyle. Heirloom quality toys are with your family forever.
In addition to offering a wide range of eco-friendly toy options, we also have a vision for the future of our store. We hope to gain enough customers and fans to create our Made in the USA products that align with our sustainability, safety, and education values. We believe that promoting eco toys can help support healthy child development while reducing our environmental impact.
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My website educates, advocates, and empowers parents to make thoughtful and sustainable choices for their children. I started The Baby Penguin to highlight the fantastic sustainable toys and companies that chose to put our children, the environment and our communities ahead of the bottom line. There are so many incredible benefits to sustainable toys. Sustainable toys promote learning, development, and happiness. We chose the most sustainable toys on the planet to be in our shop.
The toys we sell are designed to last for generations, keeping trash out of landfills, and are made from sustainably sourced wood. And we know that communities are among our most significant resources. We can all change the world…one toy at a time!
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