Bunchems are a popular building toy loved by kids for their sticky, squishy, hook-covered design — but that same clever design can cause real trouble if they end up tangled in hair. If your child has come to you in tears with a Bunchem stuck fast, don’t panic and don’t reach for the scissors just yet. This video and step-by-step guide will help you get them out safely.
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What are Bunchems?
Bunchems are small, marble-sized, sticky balls covered in tiny hooks, designed to stick together so kids can build and create all sorts of shapes and structures. They’re great fun — but those same hooks that make them stick to each other can just as easily grab onto hair.
If a Bunchem gets tangled near the scalp, it can look like a disaster in the making, with worried parents fearing they’ll have to cut the hair to free it. The good news is that in most cases, there’s an easier way. Here’s a helpful video showing exactly how to do it:
How to Get Bunchems Out of Hair
- Use hair conditioner or vegetable oil.
- Apply to hair around where Bunchems are stuck.
- Comb the hair below until all knots are out.
- Once all knots are out of the hair below the stuck Bunchems, pull the Bunchems down until they slide off the end of your hair.
Another option is to use nail clippers to gently cut the hooks off the Bunchems that are stuck, freeing the hair without needing to trim it.
Take your time, go slowly, and reassure your child while you work through the tangle — a little patience goes a long way, and in most cases the hair comes through completely unharmed.
FAQs
Will Bunchems damage my child’s hair if they get stuck?
Not usually. With a little conditioner or oil and gentle combing, Bunchems can normally be removed without cutting or damaging the hair.
What’s the easiest household product to use?
Ordinary hair conditioner or vegetable oil both work well to loosen the hooks so they slide out more easily.
Do I need scissors to remove a stuck Bunchem?
Not usually. Nail clippers can be used to snip the plastic hooks off the Bunchem itself if it’s especially stubborn, which frees the hair without cutting any of it.
What if my child has long or curly hair?
The same method applies — just take extra time working through the hair beneath the Bunchem with conditioner and a wide-tooth comb before easing it free.
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Got a favourite hair hack of your own for tricky toy tangles? Browse more of our parenting tips and family life articles for more handy tricks like this one.
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