Chu Chu Toys for Babies: What They Are and How to Pick Safe Ones

Ask for “chu chu toys” in an Indian toy shop and you will usually be handed a bag of small squeezy animals that squeak or squirt water. The name comes from the sound they make. They are one of the most common baby and toddler toys in the country, and also one of the most misunderstood, because the name is also used for a popular rhymes channel and for several unrelated products.

This guide explains what chu chu toys are, what age they suit, what to look for when buying them, and how to keep them clean.

The short answer

Chu chu toys are soft, squeezable toys that squeak when pressed. Bath versions also squirt water. They suit babies who can grasp and hold things, and they are most useful as bath toys and first grip toys. Always follow the age on the pack, buy sets with no loose parts, and drain and dry them after every bath so they don’t grow mould.

Why babies love them

A squeak is a reward. When a baby squeezes the toy and hears a sound, they learn that their hand did something, and they do it again. That repeat is a simple lesson in cause and effect. Squeezing also builds the small muscles of the hand and fingers that will later hold a spoon and a pencil.

In the bath the effect doubles, because the water squirts too. Bath time becomes a game instead of a chore, which is a real help if your child dislikes hair washing.

What age are they for?

Use the age printed on the pack, since it depends on the size of the pieces. As a general rule, chunky squeeze toys are meant for a baby who can sit and hold things, and bath sets with many small pieces are meant for toddlers who no longer put everything in their mouth. If a toy is small enough to fit inside a toilet-roll tube, treat it as a choking risk for children under three, whatever the pack says.

What to check before you buy

• Size. The pieces should be bigger than your child’s fist, or at least too large to swallow.
• No detachable parts. Eyes, noses and squeakers that can come off are a risk. Press and pull on the toy in the shop or check photos of the real product.
• Smell. A strong chemical smell is a warning sign. Walk away from it.
• Material. Look for a clear label saying the toy is made from non-toxic material, and don’t buy toys sold loose with no label at all.
• Hole size. The squirting hole should be small. A bigger hole lets in more water, and more water means more mould.

The mould problem

Squeeze toys fill with bath water, and that water can stay inside for days. This is the reason black specks sometimes come out when you squeeze an old duck. It isn’t a reason to avoid these toys, but it means a simple routine is needed. After every bath, squeeze out all the water and leave the toys to dry hole-down. Once a week, rinse them with a mix of white vinegar and warm water. Our step-by-step guide to cleaning bath toys and stopping mould covers the whole routine, including which cleaning methods to avoid.

Our chu chu and squeeze sets

• The Chu Chu bath toys 12-piece set (₹349) is a colourful bag of squeeze and squirt animals for the bath.
• The rubber duck bath set (₹279) has rattle and squirt ducks, and is for ages 3 and up.
• For babies who are not in the bath yet, our first rattles set is made for early grasping.

Browse the full range in outdoor and water play.

Other toys that pair well

Squeeze toys work best as one part of a mix. Soft rattles, stacking cups and toys with different textures all help a baby explore. Our guide to baby sensory toys for the first 18 months explains what to offer at each stage and what to skip.

Frequently asked

Are chu chu toys safe for newborns? They are generally made for babies who can hold things, so not for newborns. Check the age printed on the pack.

Can I put them in the washing machine? No. Water gets inside and the squeaker can break. Hand-wash and dry them.

How often should I replace them? Every few months for bath toys, or sooner if you see specks inside, a musty smell, cracks or peeling.