How bad are Bunchems?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I'm looking after my nieces tomorrow (2 and 4 yrs) and as a treat I bought them a sort of art/craft toy called Bunchems. It consists of coloured plastic balls that connect together to make different shapes or models or they can stick to a board to make a picture.

I thought it would be a fun toy, they love that sort of thing.

Feeling all pleased with what a great auntie I am I mentioned it to my neighbour. She recolied in horror, saying Bunchems are awful and told me children are getting them tangled in their hair.

A quick look on BuzzFeed revealed an article criticising the toy for this reason. I'm not sure if this is the media hyping up the problem or if this toy will be a nightmare?
They both have long hair

Would it be unreasonable to give them The Bunchems to play with? I thought they just stuck together like Velcro.
I don't want our fun day to turn into a hair disaster.

[StealthPolarBear]

Just stop them throwing them at each other :o I speak from experience

[EduCated]

Honestly, I’d swerve at that age. They really do get stuck! Possibly if you were supervising and hair tied up etc.

[Hoppinggreen]

Fine, but shave the kids heads first

[KellyBailey]

Get to the pound shop and get a couple of shower caps bought, job done.

[halcyondays]

I don't think I'd give them to a 2 year old. Maybe for older children.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I was thinking damage limitation- tying hair up and supervising so perhaps I won't give it to them to take home as planned. That sounds like a pain in the arse for my sister!

This is disappointing I must say. I can imagine the 2 year old throwing them at my head. She's lovely but does get quite over exuberant

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Shave the kids hair first
I might have to spend the afternoon wearing a shower cap then.
What a stupid toy to have on the market.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

This is the picture I saw online that's made me nervous.

[madmomma]

Shower caps are a great idea! My 6 yr old loves bunchems and we've never had any tangles but I guess she's older.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I suppose some children have put them in their hair on purpose not realising they'll be stuck forever .

I mean this was no accident, I'm sure he wasn't smiling when it came to taking that Bunchem beard off.


I think I'm too worried about this to enjoy playing it with them. My sister will not be happy if I return them with no hair.

[Singlebutmarried]

Got them for our 6yo. The Elsa head doll thing, many horses, toys with hair all bit the dust due to these things. They keep multiplying and appearing in the washing machine too.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Oh Lord. They have lots of dolls and My Little Ponies. I'm sorry your house is infested now Single

[lou1221]

a friend of mine had to cut sp much of her child's hair, as she got them tangled in it.

[unintentionalthreadkiller]

My kids got given a set and while they loved them they did tangled in the dolls hair, soft toys and one got in their hair - I had to cut it out. They went in the bin after that!

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Ah fuck. I was hoping people would say their children have all been fine.
I've basically bought them the worst toy in the shop.

[theboud]

My sister will not be happy if I return them with no hair

This made me laugh out loud! Sorry, I have nothing helpful to add. Never heard of these things, they sound bloody awful. I’d get some play-do from Home Bargains, less hassle.

[CloudCaptain]

Also, think of the environmental impact? (sorry to be that person).
I don't think they're suitable for a 2yo.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Well fair point Captain if these are going to landfill then they will be getting stuck in animal's fur I would think.

The box does say Keep away from Hair in small letters on the back.

[Neverhot]

Every time my girls go to their cousins (boys) house they get the bunchems out. Every time they get tangled in their hair, one time very similar to the pic you posted. They are horrific to get out and we ended up having to cut a lot of their hair out. Mine are 5 and 6.

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

I had to cut these out of dd's 2 hair, then they got banned from our house.

[SmashedMug]

We haven't got them tangled yet but after reading this thread I'm getting nervous! They might disappear.

[PivotPivotPIVOTTT]

My 6 year old has been asking for these. After reading this thread I've decided there's no chance! She has long curly hair which always ends up with all sorts tangled in it. These Bunchems would be like magnets to her hair

[squidgesquodge]

DD has some for her 5th birthday and we've never had an issue and she has long, thick, wavy hair.

[catburgers]

bunchems along with slime, orbeez/aqua beads and kinetic sand are banned items in my house.

They are a fucking nightmare to get out of any hair thats longer than a grade 3.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I gave them Aqua Beads for Christmas. I thought they were ok? Worst auntie ever.

I don't think we can play with these Bunchems tomorrow in light of all these comments. I'll be hovering over them like a maniac in a shower cap which doesn't sound like much fun for anyone.