Child hospitalized with severe burns from TikTok microwave challenge
A 9-year-old boy in Illinois suffered severe burns after attempting a viral TikTok challenge involving microwaving a Needoh sensory cube. The toy burst when he opened the microwave, causing second-degree burns to his face, hands, and ear that required hospitalization at a burn center.
What happened
On January 20, 2026, a 9-year-old boy from Plainfield, Illinois, placed a Needoh sensory cube in a microwave at home as part of a viral TikTok challenge that involves microwaving the toys to soften them. When he opened the microwave door, the gel-filled toy burst, causing severe burns to his face and hands.
Reported impact
The boy was hospitalized with second-degree burns to his face, hands, and behind one ear, and was transferred to Loyola Burn Center in Maywood. His mother attempted to wipe the hot gelatinous material from his face but the substance was too thick and caused too much pain.
Index analysis
The incident occurred after a friend at school told the boy about the challenge. The TikTok trend shows people placing Needoh cubes in microwaves, which the toy manufacturer states should not be exposed to heat as they can harden, making the challenge attractive to users seeking to soften them.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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