13 Toys That Left Glitter Everywhere for Weeks
These 13 toys caused long-lasting messes by spreading glitter that was hard to clean and kept reappearing for weeks.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Some toys came loaded with glitter that quickly spread through homes during play. The glitter clung to hands, floors, and furniture, and was difficult to remove completely. Even after multiple cleanings, small bits of glitter continued to appear in unexpected places.
1. Glitter Slime Kits
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Glitter slime kits usually came with separate packets of glitter for kids to mix in themselves. During mixing and play, glitter stuck to hands and transferred easily to tables, carpets, and toys. The slime’s stickiness made it hard to contain the glitter once it spread. Even after cleaning the area, glitter showed up days later on different surfaces.
2. Sparkle Play-Doh
Michael Pollak on Wikimedia Commons
Sparkle Play-Doh had fine glitter blended into the dough itself. As kids squeezed and shaped it, the glitter transferred to fingers and workspaces. Bits of glitter were left behind on tables, under fingernails, and sometimes even tracked into other rooms. It was difficult to get all the glitter out of the fabric or carpet.
3. Glitter Craft Sets
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These sets included tubes or jars of loose glitter meant for decorating paper or shapes. Even opening a container could send glitter into the air or onto the floor. Once spilled, it stuck to clothing, skin, and nearby surfaces. Despite vacuuming or wiping down, much of the glitter stayed behind.
4. Fairy Wings
Frank Kovalchek on Wikimedia Commons
Many store-bought fairy wings had glitter glued onto the fabric or outlines. As children wore them around the house, glitter constantly flaked off. Glitter ended up on couches, floors, and in bedding. It continued to appear in new places even after the wings were put away.
5. Glitter Balloons
Carsten Stiller on Wikimedia Commons
Glitter balloons were made to be popped for a visual effect, releasing the glitter inside. Once popped indoors, the glitter floated through the air and settled onto hard-to-reach places. It often landed in vents, between floorboards, and behind furniture. Cleaning all of it took multiple attempts over several days.
6. Glitter Dolls
Fæ on Wikimedia Commons
Some dolls were sold with outfits, shoes, or hair covered in glitter. Normal handling caused the glitter to come off onto hands, furniture, and clothing. Brushing the doll’s hair or changing its clothes increased the spread. The glitter lingered in the home even with regular cleaning.
7. Glitter Stickers
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Glitter stickers had surfaces coated in loose or semi-loose glitter. Each time a sticker was touched, moved, or repositioned, small particles came off. These stuck to fingers, clothing, and walls. Over time, the glitter ended up in corners and on items far from where the stickers were originally used.
8. Princess Dresses
Øyvind Holmstad on Wikimedia Commons
Costumes sold for dress-up often included glitter-coated fabric, especially on skirts or sleeves. Just walking or sitting while wearing the dress left glitter on the floor and furniture. After taking the dress off, glitter remained on the skin and was transferred to other clothing. Even washing the dress didn’t fully remove all the glitter.
9. Glitter Bouncy Balls
Lenore Edman on Wikimedia Commons
Some bouncy balls were either coated with glitter or filled with it inside clear rubber. With frequent play, glitter started to rub off onto floors and walls. Static caused it to cling to surfaces like mirrors or painted walls. It was hard to remove without smearing or spreading it further.
10. Glitter Puzzles
Balise42 on Wikimedia Commons
Certain puzzles had a glossy, glittery finish on the pieces. As kids moved the pieces, the glitter coating wore down and came off. It collected on hands and tables and could fall into cracks between furniture. It was often missed during cleanup and continued to appear during later play sessions.
11. Sparkle Sand
James St. John on Wikimedia Commons
Sparkle sand included glitter mixed into the grains for a shiny effect. While molding and shaping the sand, glitter rubbed off and got stuck to the skin and tools. Some of it fell onto the floors and was carried to other areas by shoes or pets. Even after the sand was cleaned up, glitter stayed on surfaces.
12. Glitter Paint Sets
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These kits included paints with glitter either mixed in or added after painting. As the paint dried, glitter separated and flaked off the paper. When touched or moved, the dried pieces created a trail of glitter. The flakes stuck to desks, floors, and often showed up in other rooms days later.
13. Glitter Tattoos
Ruth Hartnup on Wikimedia Commons
Glitter tattoo kits involved using adhesive glue and loose glitter to create designs on the skin. While applying the tattoo, glitter would fall onto tables, chairs, and the floor. The adhesive sometimes caused extra glitter to stick to areas beyond the tattoo. The remaining loose glitter was hard to contain and kept reappearing.