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What Are Aqua Dots?

Aqua Dots, also known as Bindeez, are a children's toy made by Australian company Moose World, and distributed in the United States by Canadian company Spin Master. The toy is used to make designs on a grid which adhere together and become permanent. Children create artwork without messy paints or markers. Aqua Dots were recalled in 2007, but were re-released when a new chemical make-up was developed. Aqua Dots were made for children aged 4 and up.

Features
- Aqua Dots work by placing small colored balls on a grid-like tray. Children drop the dots from a filled pen in a specific order to create a design. Designs might be of a cat, tree or anything the child thinks up. They are only limited by their imagination and the room on the tray. Once the design is completed, the dots are sprayed with water. There is a chemical coating on the dots that makes them melt slightly and fuse together. The colors do not blend. Once dry -- and it takes only moments -- the design is removed from the tray in one piece.
Products
- There are several Aqua Dot products. The starter kit has a pen, tray and a few designs. It is meant for beginners. The Super Studio has lots of dots and designs. There is a large pen dispenser that holds plenty of dots, separated by color. The child switches between colors with ease. Aqua Dots also have themed packs that have designs and dots for themes such as dogs, cats, birds or butterflies.
Warning
- According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Aqua Dots were recalled in 2007. The coating on the dots contained a date-rape drug called gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB). The little dots looked similar to coated candy, and children would swallow them. The drug caused the children to have seizures, hypotonia and euphoria. In extreme cases, children went into comas. Aqua Dots were taken off the shelves, but Bindeez have been re-released with a new and safer coating. It is unknown what the new coating is on the dots.
Alternatives
- Spin Masters released a new Aqua Dot-type product called PixOs. It is the exact same toy as Aqua Dots except with a new name and new chemical formula. The toy went through rigid testing, according to Spin Master, to guarantee children's safety when using PixOs. While the dots should never be eaten, if accidentally ingested, they have no adverse side effects. It is recommended to use PixOs, or the newer Bindeez, instead of Aqua Dots. Destroy any dots from old Aqua Dots toys and keep them away from children.

Childrens Toys