1. Slip ’N Slide
Nothing said summer like a Slip ’N Slide unrolled across the lawn, with kids racing to dive onto it headfirst. The commercials made it look like endless fun, but the reality wasn’t always so carefree. The slide’s thin plastic sheet was unforgiving on hard ground, and diving the wrong way could result in scrapes, bruises, or even broken bones. For older kids and adults, the risk was even worse because the toy wasn’t designed to support their weight.
Despite the dangers, Slip ’N Slides remained a backyard staple. Parents would sometimes try to make them safer by adding extra padding underneath or limiting how the kids played on them. Still, emergency rooms saw a steady stream of injuries tied to these “harmless” water toys. The toy is still around today, but with more warnings than ever, reminding us that sliding into summer isn’t always as smooth as it looks.
2. Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven was every kid’s dream toy, a chance to whip up tiny cakes and cookies just like Mom. The problem was, those ovens got extremely hot. Early models used a real light bulb to generate enough heat to bake the treats, but that meant kids were reaching into a little plastic box that could cause severe burns. Over the years, hundreds of injury reports came in, some involving serious blisters and burns on tiny fingers.
Despite the risks, the Easy-Bake stuck around for decades, with new versions updated to make them safer. Kids still loved the magic of mixing a little powder, sliding it into the oven, and waiting impatiently for dessert to emerge. Parents, on the other hand, probably just hoped they wouldn’t end up in the ER over a brownie the size of a cracker. It’s a reminder that even something as sweet as baking can have a dangerous side when mixed with kids’ curiosity.
3. Moon Shoes
Marketed as mini-trampolines for your feet, Moon Shoes promised kids the thrill of bouncing with every step. The reality was far less graceful. Strapping into these bulky contraptions often meant twisted ankles, stubbed toes, or just flat-out falling on your face. The straps didn’t always stay secure, and balance was almost impossible for younger kids.
Still, Moon Shoes had a certain cool factor that made kids beg for them. Everyone wanted to feel like they were defying gravity, even if most of the time it ended in a tumble. Parents often regretted the purchase once the injuries started, but kids were usually willing to risk it for the fun. Moon Shoes became one of those toys that sounded better in theory than in practice.
4. Trampolines
For many kids, trampolines were the ultimate backyard luxury. Hours of bouncing around, trying flips, and feeling like you were flying was every child’s dream. But those dreams often ended in sprains, broken bones, or even concussions. Before safety nets became standard, kids would often fall right off the side or crash into each other mid-air.
Parents loved that trampolines kept kids active, but they were a nightmare for safety. Doctors and pediatric groups have long warned about the risks, noting how many injuries could be traced back to this one toy. Even with safety nets and padding, accidents are still common. The trampoline remains both a symbol of childhood joy and one of the most injury-prone playthings ever sold.
5. Clackers
Clackers were one of those toys that seemed so simple—two hard acrylic balls on a string that you knocked together. The goal was to get them clacking back and forth in a fast rhythm. Unfortunately, those balls could shatter under pressure, sending shards of hard plastic flying in every direction. Kids also often smacked themselves in the face, which wasn’t exactly the fun the toy promised.
Despite the danger, Clackers were a massive craze in the ’70s. Schools eventually banned them after too many kids ended up with bruises or worse. For those who played with them, the memory is a mix of nostalgia and pain. They may have looked harmless, but anyone who remembers a broken Clacker flying across the room knows just how risky they were.
6. Chemistry Sets
Many kids in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s dreamed of becoming little scientists, and chemistry sets gave them that chance. Unfortunately, those early sets often included real chemicals that could cause burns, explosions, or toxic fumes. Parents assumed they were just educational toys, but unsupervised experiments sometimes ended with trips to the hospital. Some even contained radioactive materials before safety rules cracked down.
Even with the dangers, chemistry sets had a certain allure. They made kids feel independent and smart, and some credit them with inspiring future careers in science. But for every child who safely mixed a few harmless powders, there was another who learned the hard way that science isn’t something to play around with. Today’s chemistry sets are watered down, focusing more on fun experiments with baking soda than actual lab work.
7. Water Wiggle
The Water Wiggle was a simple toy that connected to a garden hose, sending a long plastic tube whipping wildly around the yard. The problem was, that tube was unpredictable and often smacked kids in the face or tangled around them. Some reports even involved serious injuries when the hard plastic nozzle hit with force. What looked like a silly water toy turned into something that could genuinely hurt.
Despite the risks, many kids couldn’t resist the excitement of chasing it around. Parents sometimes tried to control it, but the toy was designed to do the opposite—it was all about unpredictability. After too many accidents, it was eventually pulled from the market. For kids who grew up with it, the Water Wiggle remains a chaotic memory of summer play.
8. Pogo Sticks
The pogo stick has been around for decades, and while it looks simple, it’s anything but safe. Balancing on a spring-loaded stick while bouncing up and down is a recipe for spills. Falls were common, and kids often ended up with scraped knees, twisted ankles, or worse. The higher you tried to bounce, the greater the chance of a painful landing.
Even so, pogo sticks had a certain thrill. Kids loved the challenge of mastering balance and rhythm, and it was a point of pride to bounce without falling. Parents, however, often watched nervously from the sidelines. While safer versions exist now, the pogo stick will always carry a reputation for being both fun and risky.
9. Skip-It
Skip-It was supposed to be a fun way to combine jumping rope with a new twist. You strapped the toy around one ankle and spun a plastic ball around, jumping over it each time it came around. But the hard plastic ball wasn’t forgiving if it smacked your shin, and tripping over it was a common occurrence. Many kids ended up with bruises and sore legs instead of a good time.
Still, Skip-It became a playground favorite. It was competitive, with kids trying to see who could get the highest number on the counter. The game pushed kids to keep trying even if they got hurt, which was both the fun and the danger of it. Skip-It may not have been the safest toy, but it’s remembered fondly as one that mixed pain with play.
10. Hoverboards
Hoverboards became the must-have gadget of the mid-2010s, promising kids the thrill of gliding effortlessly across the pavement. Unfortunately, they quickly developed a reputation for catching fire while charging, thanks to poorly made batteries. On top of that, kids riding them often fell hard, leading to broken wrists, sprained ankles, and more than a few concussions.
Parents were understandably nervous about letting kids use them, and many airlines even banned them from flights. Still, the popularity didn’t fade overnight, and kids insisted on riding them despite the risks. The hoverboard craze may not have lasted as long as older toys, but it certainly left its mark on injury statistics. For many, it was the perfect example of a modern “toy” that caused more harm than fun.
11. BB Guns
For decades, BB guns were a staple of childhood play, advertised as “starter” firearms. The problem was, they could cause real damage. Eye injuries were the most common, and countless warnings never seemed to stop kids from aiming at each other during backyard battles. Even when used “safely,” accidents were far too easy to happen.
Parents often bought BB guns thinking they were harmless, but doctors and safety experts disagreed. While some kids learned responsibility from them, others ended up with serious injuries. BB guns have been part of childhood lore for generations, but they’ve also been at the center of one too many emergency room visits. It’s proof that even a “toy” gun isn’t something to take lightly.
12. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Lawn darts seemed like harmless outdoor fun, but those weighted metal tips were essentially weapons being tossed around in the backyard. Many families didn’t think twice about letting kids hurl them toward plastic rings on the lawn, not realizing how dangerous they could be. It wasn’t long before reports of serious injuries and even fatalities started piling up. By the late ’80s, the U.S. government stepped in and banned their sale completely.
For parents who grew up with them, the memory is often a mix of nostalgia and horror. Some recall the thrill of watching a dart stick in the ground exactly where it was supposed to, while others remember close calls that could have ended badly. Today, a safer, plastic-tipped version exists, but it doesn’t carry the same weight—literally or figuratively. Lawn darts will always be remembered as one of the most dangerous “toys” ever marketed to kids.