Raising What is Labubu? What parents of kids 4–7 should know
What is Labubu? A collectible monster plush from artist Kasing Lung's The Monsters, sold by POP MART in blind boxes, so you don't know which figure you'll get. POP MART labels its Labubu products "not suitable for persons under 15." In August 2025, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that fake Labubus can break apart and pose a serious choking risk to young children.
Does Labubu teach kids "just one more"?!
The 30-second version: the blind-box pull, and a counting habit that helps.
Labubu at a glance
- ✓Manufacturer age label above 7
POP MART: not for under 15 - –Choking or small-parts warning on the official product
None on POP MART's page; CPSC warned about fakes - ✓Paid random items (blind boxes)
Blind boxes - –Recall of the official product
No recall of POP MART Labubus found - ✓Resale prices above retail
Resale often above retail (NBC News) - ✓Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
CPSC warning on fake Labubus (2025)
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.
| Type | Collectible plush figure from The Monsters by artist Kasing Lung, sold by POP MART |
|---|---|
| Age labeling | "Not suitable for persons under 15" on official POP MART product pages source |
| Format | Blind boxes: you don't know which figure is inside; odds of a rare "secret" figure vary by series |
| Safety warning | US CPSC warning (August 2025): fake Labubus ("Lafufus") pose a serious choking risk to young children source |
| Price | Typically about $9 to $30 for POP MART figures (NBC News); resale prices are often higher |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is Labubu?
Labubu is a toothy, rabbit-eared monster from The Monsters, a story series by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. POP MART began selling the figures in 2019, and they became a global craze in 2024 and 2025, helped by celebrity fans such as Lisa of Blackpink and by social media. In June 2025, a human-sized Labubu sold at Yongle International Auction in Beijing for about $150,000.
Blind boxes and "secret" figures
Most Labubus are sold in blind boxes: the box is sealed, and you only see which figure you got after you open it. Each series has a rare "secret" figure, and the odds vary by series.
Are Labubus bad for kids? The safety facts
Short answer: POP MART labels official Labubus not suitable for anyone under 15. The main safety risk for young children is fake Labubus: the US CPSC warns they can break into small parts and are a choking hazard.
POP MART labels official Labubu products "not suitable for persons under 15." In August 2025, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission urged consumers not to buy counterfeit Labubus, sometimes called "Lafufus," and to stop using them: they're small enough to fit in a young child's mouth, and some break apart into small pieces.
The CPSC lists ways to spot a fake, including a holographic POP MART sticker and a scannable QR code on the box.
What the research says about blind boxes
There's no research on blind-box toys and children ages 4 to 7. Related research is about loot boxes in video games, which work in a similar way. In a 2019 study of 1,155 gamers ages 16 to 18, spending on loot boxes was linked to problem gambling severity; the study was correlational, its participants were recruited online, and it can't show cause and effect (Zendle, Meyer & Over, 2019).
The habit kids may copy: just one more
Blind boxes are built around the chance that the next box holds a rare figure. For some kids, "just one more" can be hard to stop.
Try tonight: count first
Before the next box, count the ones they already have, together. Then say it out loud: "I already have enough." Decide after that. In our program, this is the lesson "Enough": noticing what's already here.
Why you can trust this page: the main facts link to their sources, a separate reviewer checks each page before it goes live, and the date shows when we last checked. How we review · Report an error
FAQ
Why are Labubus so popular?
Celebrity fans such as Lisa of Blackpink, social media, the surprise of blind boxes, rare "secret" figures, and a resale market all fed the craze in 2024 and 2025.
Are Labubus bad for kids?
POP MART labels official Labubus not suitable for anyone under 15. The US CPSC has warned that counterfeit Labubus pose a serious choking risk to young children.
How do I know if a Labubu is fake?
The CPSC suggests checking for a holographic POP MART sticker and a scannable QR code that leads to POP MART's site, and being wary of deep discounts and overly bright colors.
How much does a Labubu cost?
POP MART figures typically cost about $9 to $30 new. Rare figures can sell for much more on the resale market.
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