Water beads are small, water-absorbing beads made from superabsorbent polymer. They are marketed under various names, including jelly beads, water orbs, hydro orbs, polymer beads, gel beads, and Orbeez. When these tiny balls are placed in water, they can expand up to 200 times their original size. Water beads come in various colors and shapes like spheres, jewels, dinosaurs, etc. They can be used as educational tools and a form of entertainment for young children and children living with autism or increased anxiety. Water beads have many uses, including:

• Supplying water to small animals as an alternative to supplying water in a dish. Some small animals tend to fall into dishes of water and drown.
• Watering or potting plants.
• In vases of cut flowers.
• Use in gardens to save water.
• Used as ammunition for gel blaster toy guns.
• Colorful decorations or artificial snow.
• In a dry state as absorbent filler inside disposable diapers and sanitary napkins.
• Proposed for controlling or containing floods.

However, water beads can be dangerous if ingested or inserted into ears. They can cause choking, internal injuries, and even death if left undetected. Ingested water beads can continue to grow inside the body, causing severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration, intestinal blockages, and life-threatening injuries. Water beads inserted into ears can damage ear structures, causing hearing loss and requiring surgery. Therefore, it is important to keep water beads out of reach from toddlers or anyone under the age of five. If there is any chance of a toddler getting ahold of water beads, it’s recommended to completely remove all water beads from that environment.