A family outing at the Royal Adelaide Show took a frightening turn when a 10-year-old boy was suddenly exposed to an unknown substance after a popular squishy ball toy exploded in his face at a show stall.

The child began vomiting and coughing and struggled to breathe, leaving his family deeply alarmed. He was taken to hospital for treatment as doctors worked to assess the effects of the substance he had been exposed to.

His mother has since spoken with 7NEWS, issuing an urgent warning to other parents about the toys and urging families to be cautious when children are playing with similar products.

What was supposed to be a fun day at the show quickly became a terrifying experience for the family—and a reminder that seemingly harmless toys can sometimes pose unexpected risks.