1. Lawn Darts
Lawn darts, or “Jarts,” were basically giant metal darts meant to be tossed toward a plastic ring on the ground. The problem? These darts had sharp, weighted tips that could easily pierce human flesh. It wasn’t just a theoretical concern—over 6,000 injuries and at least three deaths were linked to them before the U.S. finally banned them in 1988. But before that, they were marketed as fun backyard entertainment, perfect for family gatherings. Kids, naturally, loved throwing them high into the air, completely ignoring the risk of them coming down straight into someone’s skull. Parents eventually caught on, but not before some truly horrifying accidents occurred. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) actually tried to regulate them in the ’70s, but manufacturers lobbied against it. Instead of banning them outright, the government just added a warning label, because, you know, kids are totally going to read those. It took years of tragedies before they were finally yanked from the shelves says the Hustle Daily.
Even after the ban, some people still tried to sell them illegally, proving that nostalgia sometimes overrides common sense. You can still find them today in private collections, but they’re considered contraband in the U.S. unless you modify them to be “less deadly.” Of course, that ruins the entire point of the game, so most people just avoid them altogether. There have been safer, plastic-tipped versions released in recent years, but they don’t have the same lethal charm. It’s wild to think that for decades, parents handed their kids spiked projectiles and told them to go have fun. But then again, the past was full of questionable decisions when it came to children’s toys.
2. Clackers
Clackers were basically two heavy acrylic balls attached to a string that kids would swing up and down until they smacked into each other. The goal was to get them to clack together as fast as possible, creating a rhythmic noise. What toy manufacturers failed to consider was that these balls were made of hard plastic that could easily shatter. It didn’t take long for reports of kids getting hit in the face with shards of broken clackers to start piling up. The injuries ranged from minor cuts to serious eye damage. And even when they didn’t break, they could still cause bruises, busted lips, and chipped teeth adds Dawn.
Despite the obvious danger, clackers were incredibly popular in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Kids loved them because they required skill to master, and they made a satisfying noise—right up until they exploded. Eventually, the CPSC stepped in and forced manufacturers to redesign them with safer materials. But by then, plenty of kids had already learned the hard way that swinging hard plastic near their faces wasn’t the best idea. Today, safer versions exist, but they don’t carry the same level of danger—or excitement.
3. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
This might be one of the most unbelievable toys ever sold. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was released in the early ’50s and came with actual radioactive materials. Yes, you read that right—radioactive. The kit included uranium ore samples, a Geiger counter, and a cloud chamber so kids could observe radiation in action. The idea was to teach children about nuclear energy in a hands-on way, but the potential for harm was staggering. While the radiation levels were supposedly low, it’s still baffling that anyone thought this was a good idea explains New York Post.
The kit was only sold for a few years, likely because parents realized they didn’t want their children casually handling uranium at the kitchen table. Looking back, it seems like something out of a sci-fi horror film says Newsweek. Imagine little Johnny playing with his atomic energy set and accidentally inhaling radioactive dust—yikes. While educational toys are great, maybe ones involving nuclear materials should have stayed in the lab. This remains one of the most notorious toy failures of all time, and for good reason.
4. Sky Dancers
Sky Dancers looked innocent enough—a simple doll with foam wings that kids could launch into the air by pulling a cord. The problem was that these things had a mind of their own. Instead of soaring gracefully, they often veered off unpredictably, smacking kids in the face, hitting them in the eye, or getting tangled in hair. Reports flooded in of children suffering corneal abrasions, broken teeth, and even concussions. By the late ’90s, more than 150 injuries had been reported.
Parents quickly realized that these “harmless” toys were anything but. A recall was finally issued in 2000, pulling millions of them from store shelves. While they were undeniably fun, they were also basically flying projectiles of doom. The redesigned versions are much safer, but anyone who played with the originals knows just how terrifying they could be.
5. Aqua Dots
Aqua Dots were tiny, colorful beads that kids could arrange into designs and fuse together with water. But there was a major problem—these beads contained a chemical that metabolized into GHB, also known as the “date rape drug.” If swallowed, they could cause vomiting, seizures, or even coma. At least two children slipped into comas after ingesting them, which led to a massive recall in 2007.
The worst part? Parents had no reason to suspect the toy was dangerous until it was too late. While they were marketed as non-toxic, the chemical reaction in the body told a different story. After the recall, manufacturers changed the formula, but the damage had already been done. This remains one of the most infamous toy safety scandals of the 2000s.
6. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Dolls
These dolls were supposed to be adorable, but they had a terrifying flaw—they wouldn’t stop chewing. Designed to “eat” plastic snacks, they had a motorized mouth that chomped down as long as something was in their way. The problem? They didn’t distinguish between toy food and real fingers. Kids quickly learned the hard way that once the doll latched onto something, it wouldn’t let go.
There were multiple reports of kids getting their hair and fingers caught in the dolls’ unrelenting jaws. Some parents even had to break the dolls to free their children. The toy was recalled in 1997 after numerous complaints, but not before traumatizing plenty of kids. A doll that eats everything in sight? Yeah, not the best idea.
7. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
The original Creepy Crawlers set let kids pour liquid plastic into metal molds and bake them into rubbery bugs. Sounds fun, right? Well, the catch was that the molds were heated to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Kids regularly burned themselves, and molten plastic could cause serious injuries. Despite the obvious dangers, the toy remained popular throughout the ’60s and ’70s.
It wasn’t until later versions included safety measures that the risks were reduced. But plenty of kids from past generations still have burn scars as a reminder of their Creepy Crawlers days. It’s amazing how many classic toys were just lawsuits waiting to happen.
8. CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit
At first glance, the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit seemed like a harmless and educational toy. It was designed to let kids dust for fingerprints, just like the investigators on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The problem? The fingerprint powder contained asbestos, a known carcinogen. This wasn’t just speculation—tests confirmed that the powder in the kit contained tremolite, one of the deadliest forms of asbestos. Kids playing with the kit were unknowingly inhaling fibers that could cause serious lung diseases, including mesothelioma.
The discovery led to an urgent recall in 2007, but not before thousands of kits had already been sold. Parents were horrified to learn that their children had been exposed to a hazardous substance while doing what they thought was a fun science activity. While the company behind the kit tried to downplay the risks, the damage was done. It remains one of the most shocking cases of dangerous materials slipping into children’s toys in modern history.
9. Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher
If there’s one lesson toy companies should have learned early on, it’s that small plastic projectiles and kids don’t mix. The Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher was supposed to be a cool action figure accessory that shot tiny missiles into the air. But as you can probably guess, kids quickly realized that these missiles fit perfectly into their mouths. Several incidents of children choking were reported, including one tragic case that resulted in death.
Mattel eventually recalled the toy in 1979, but not before it caused significant alarm among parents. This incident led to a major shift in toy safety regulations, forcing companies to rethink how they designed projectile-based toys. The irony is that the original Star Wars toys had similar designs, but after this fiasco, they were modified to prevent accidental choking hazards. The Battlestar Galactica toy, however, will always be remembered as the one that changed the rules—unfortunately, at a terrible cost.
10. Easy-Bake Oven (2006 Edition)
The Easy-Bake Oven has been around since the ’60s, but it wasn’t until the 2006 edition that things took a dangerous turn. This version had a design flaw that allowed children’s fingers to get stuck inside the oven while it was on. More than 250 reports of burns were filed, with some kids suffering second- and third-degree burns. One child was injured so severely that doctors had to amputate part of her finger.
Hasbro tried to fix the issue with a safety warning, but the injuries kept piling up. Eventually, in 2007, they recalled nearly a million ovens. It was a shocking moment for a toy that had been a childhood staple for decades. While newer models have been made much safer, many parents are still wary of letting their kids play with anything that involves actual heat.
11. Water Wiggle
Water Wiggle was a sprinkler toy introduced in the ’60s that seemed harmless—until kids started getting seriously injured. The toy consisted of a plastic nozzle attached to a long hose that whipped around unpredictably when water was turned on. The problem was that the nozzle could come loose, and in one horrifying case, it got lodged in a child’s throat, leading to a fatal accident.
After multiple reports of injuries, Water Wiggle was finally pulled from shelves in 1978. It was yet another example of a toy that looked like harmless fun but had a hidden danger that no one considered until it was too late. Parents who grew up with Water Wiggle still remember how wildly out of control it could get, often turning an afternoon of summer fun into a chaotic and sometimes painful experience.
12. Skip-It (Original Version)
Skip-It was a simple toy—a plastic loop that kids placed around one ankle while spinning a weighted ball around in circles, jumping over it as it swung by. The concept was great for exercise, but the early versions had a major flaw. The weighted ball was made of hard plastic, meaning that if it hit your ankle, it hurt. Badly. Kids regularly ended up with bruises, sprained ankles, and even fractured bones.
To make matters worse, some kids got a little too ambitious and swung the ball too high, smacking themselves—or others—in the face. The toy was eventually redesigned with a counter and softer materials, making it less of a hazard. But anyone who played with the original version knows just how much damage that thing could do.
13. Moon Shoes
Billed as “mini trampolines for your feet,” Moon Shoes were supposed to let kids bounce around like astronauts. In reality, they were more like ankle-breaking death traps. The flimsy plastic bases didn’t provide much support, and kids frequently twisted or sprained their ankles while trying to bounce. Some even fell face-first onto the pavement, leading to broken teeth and concussions.
Despite the obvious risks, Moon Shoes remained popular throughout the ’90s. Eventually, manufacturers made improvements by adding more stability, but by then, plenty of kids had already learned the hard way that human feet weren’t meant to function like pogo sticks. Looking back, it’s amazing that parents willingly bought these for their children, fully aware that they were basically signing up for a trip to the ER.