Hobby Lobby is pulling more than 21,000 cuddly companions from store shelves after discovering their limbs might have separation anxiety — with potentially dangerous consequences for young children.
The arts and crafts retailer has announced a recall of approximately 21,230 giraffe and llama plush toys with clips due to a serious safety hazard. The issue? The legs of these adorable stuffed animals can detach from the body, releasing small beads that pose a choking risk to young children.
Small Parts, Big Risks
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission explains that “the legs of the plush toy can detach from the body allowing the release of small beads that are on the legs, posing a choking hazard to young children.” While only one incident of a leg detaching has been reported so far, the company isn’t taking chances.
Thankfully, no injuries have been connected to the defective toys. But parents who’ve purchased these items shouldn’t wait for problems to develop.
The recall affects plush toys sold nationwide at Hobby Lobby stores from January 2022 through November 2025, retailing for about $8 each. They’re easily identifiable by their distinctive clip feature, allowing them to be attached to backpacks or strollers — precisely the places where they might be in reach of young children.
What Should Parents Do?
If you’ve got one of these potentially problematic plushies at home, officials recommend immediately taking them away from children. Consumers should return the toys to any Hobby Lobby store for a full refund.
This isn’t the first time small parts in children’s toys have triggered safety concerns. Choking hazards remain one of the most common reasons for toy recalls, particularly for items intended for younger children who naturally explore objects with their mouths.
The company has issued the recall voluntarily, working in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to address the issue before more incidents occur.
For additional information, consumers can contact Hobby Lobby’s customer service department directly or visit their local store.
As for the future of these particular giraffe and llama designs, they’ll likely undergo redesign before making their way back to store shelves — this time with limbs more firmly attached to their stuffed bodies.
