Jörgen remembers the call. The fact that the eye came off despite all risk analyses and safety checks was very serious. Still, in hindsight, he still sees that it led to something really good. ”Thanks to what happened, we learned to systematize safety work even more. We established clearer procedures and areas of responsibility”.
BLÅHAJ
005.406.64Baby sharks quickly learn to be independent and take care of themselves. It takes a little longer for your child, but with this soft friend, every day full of developing and learning feels a little safer.
Product features
- Machine washable
More information
Sharks can swim and dive deep already when they’re born. How it goes for this little softie is more uncertain, but with a little encouragement, maybe it will dare to take a dip – in a washing machine.
Simple to keep clean and fresh since the soft toy can be machined washed at 104°F.
Designer
IKEA of Sweden
Reviews
our cat’s new bff blahaj,Miahour cat’s new bff blahaj, she licks shark, so sweet, he is soft and he is fluffy we like him very much, just the right size, good material
Very cute and fluffy.CecilleVery cute and fluffy.
Good qualityMaryGood quality
Baby SharkShairaI personally love it bad sad as I originally bought it for my baby shihtzu huggie during naps/night. He loves it!
On my son’s bed andAnneOn my son’s bed and he loves it
My lovely boyfriend bought thisMy lovely boyfriend bought this for me and its such a nice treat. Thank you bebi
My grandson loves itNinaMy grandson loves it
awesomeIrvinawesome
Fair-priced, age-appropriate plushie and machine-washAntheaFair-priced, age-appropriate plushie and machine-wash friendly
my baby my babySheryli love him he's soft and cuddly
This toy is so cute,PaulThis toy is so cute, my brother loves it! He named it "Lolo Shark".
All good! My nephew loveMargaretteAll good! My nephew love it!
Good qualityHeideeGood quality
niceRowenanice
Great value for money!StephanieGreat value for money!
OkLowieOk
Smooth and fluppyAlfredoSmooth and fluppy
Caramelo sharkRadMy son loves it he's very excited and almost cry due to excitement
Huggable SharkieKristineSoft, size is perfect for my 6-year old kid.
Shark!Anonymous reviewerSo cute!
Customer reviews
4.9Average rating
315Reviews
4.9Average rating
315Reviews
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Story
The story of a broken eye and what it taught us
The IKEA store in Helsinki, Finland, was full of customers that day back in 1997. Being a textile technologist at Children’s IKEA at the time, Carina Ingelsten ran a course about safety for a group of IKEA co-workers. ”I lifted up a teddy bear and pulled on the legs and arms to show how well they are sewn in place. When I pulled on the plastic eye, something happened that shouldn't – the eye came off”, says Carina. This was a major setback for Children's IKEA, but it was a setback that would lead to important safety improvements.
All soft toys were removed from the store as Carina tried to call her colleagues in Sweden. ”It was a Saturday, so it wasn't that easy to get a hold of people, but in the end Jörgen Svensson, my manager at Children's IKEA, answered and we succeeded in stopping global sales of our soft toys”.
Major consequences
More personal expression
The incident also led to the decision to not use plastic eyes at all. Embroidered eyes were not only safer, they also proved to give more character and personality to the toys. Annie Huldén, a designer who has created many soft toys over the years, agrees. ”The eyes are very important for a soft toy and plastic eyes easily seem too symmetrical and stale, while embroidered eyes are easier to vary in terms of the design, the size of pupils and the eyelashes.” Soft toys at Children's IKEA are loved by children throughout the world. It's a loved friend to play with and find comfort with - and which parents can always feel secure about.
Energy and resources
Is it possible to make plastic hug-friendly?
We want to reduce the amount of new material in our soft toys. Using recycled polyester as filling, and thereby giving new life to used plastic, is one way. That’s why we have embarked on an exciting journey with our new range of soft toys. Our goal is to fill as many soft toys as possible with recycled polyester – without compromising on safety or quality.
Function solution
Soft toys to hug, again and again
We know our soft toys should handle many years of love. That’s why we’ve chosen comfy materials, embroidered eyes, performed rigorous washing tests – and ensured that we test them for harmful chemicals. Simple to keep clean and fresh since they can be machined washed.
Quality/durability
Sure, they’re cute but are they safe? Absolutely!
You can rest assured knowing that all our children’s products live up to the highest health and safety standards. We put our toys to the test – up against the toughest in the world (much tougher than any two-year-old). All so you can worry less and they can play more.