1. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts)
If you grew up in the ’70s or ’80s, you probably remember these heavy metal darts that were meant to be tossed into a plastic ring target on the lawn. The idea was simple enough, but the problem was that they were basically spears. Kids, of course, didn’t always aim for the target, and many ended up stuck in the grass far too close to someone’s bare feet.
Eventually, enough accidents piled up that they were banned in 1988. By then, they had caused thousands of injuries and even some fatalities. Parents today would be horrified at the thought of children casually tossing sharp projectiles around the yard. Looking back, it feels amazing that these ever made it onto toy store shelves at all.
2. Clackers
These were two acrylic balls attached to a string, and the goal was to bang them together in a rhythmic motion. It seemed harmless at first, almost like a skill toy similar to yo-yos. But when the balls shattered—which they often did—it sent shards of hard plastic flying like shrapnel.
Kids ended up with cuts, bruises, and the occasional eye injury. They were pulled from stores after complaints, though knock-off versions kept popping up. It’s one of those toys that made a lot of noise in the neighborhood and left just as many kids with bandaged hands.
3. Easy-Bake Oven (Original Versions)
When the Easy-Bake Oven hit the market in the ’60s, it was every little baker’s dream. A tiny lightbulb cooked cakes, brownies, and cookies that felt like magic. The problem was, those ovens got dangerously hot—hot enough to cause burns and even trap small fingers.
Reports of kids getting stuck or burned eventually forced safety overhauls. Today’s versions are much safer, but parents from the past will never forget hovering nervously as their kids leaned over a glowing metal box plugged into the wall.
4. Battlestar Galactica Missile-Firing Ships
In the late ’70s, these toy spaceships were a must-have for any fan of the sci-fi series. The thrill was in the tiny spring-loaded missiles you could launch across the room. Unfortunately, those small plastic pieces became serious choking hazards.
One tragic case in 1978, where a child choked on a missile, pushed the toy industry toward stricter safety standards. After that, most missile-launching toys switched to permanently attached parts or oversized projectiles. What was once exciting now looks incredibly reckless.
5. Creepy Crawlers “Thingmaker”
This kit let kids “cook” their own rubbery bugs using special liquid goop poured into metal molds. The molds were heated on a plug-in hot plate that got scalding hot. Unsurprisingly, kids often ended up with burns from the metal or hot goop.
Despite the risks, it was wildly popular, especially with boys who liked grossing out their sisters. Later versions were redesigned to be safer, but the original Thingmaker is remembered as a dangerous blend of chemistry set and mini oven.
6. Atomic Energy Lab
Gilbert’s U-238 Atomic Energy Lab, released in 1950, was exactly what it sounds like: a science kit with actual radioactive materials. The box came with uranium ore samples, a Geiger counter, and tools to conduct experiments. At the time, it was marketed as educational fun.
Today, it sounds unthinkable that kids were handed radioactive rocks in the name of play. It was discontinued within a few years, but it remains a perfect example of how different safety standards were in mid-century America.
7. Slip ’N Slide (Original Versions)
On hot summer days, the Slip ’N Slide was a dream come true—until it wasn’t. While it looked like harmless backyard fun, injuries were shockingly common. Adults or larger kids who used it often hit the ground too hard, resulting in bruises, broken bones, and even spinal injuries.
Warnings eventually made clear that it was meant only for children under a certain size, but the damage was done. Parents learned quickly that what seemed like a cheap way to cool off could turn into an ER visit by the end of the afternoon.
8. Gilbert Glass Blowing Kit
Another “educational” toy from the 1950s, this kit encouraged kids to learn glassblowing at home. Yes, that meant heating glass tubes over an open flame and trying to shape them. It sounds more like something from a trade school than a child’s toy aisle.
Burns and cuts were practically guaranteed. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t stay on shelves long, but it’s a wild reminder of how different the idea of “learning through play” used to be. Parents today would never hand their kids a blowtorch in a box.
9. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
This toy came in a tube filled with goo that kids squeezed onto straws to blow into balloons. The balloons were colorful and fun, but the plastic emitted strong fumes of toxic chemicals. Kids often inhaled those fumes while blowing up the bubbles.
Not only that, the balloons were prone to popping into sticky, smelly messes. The product was eventually discontinued due to health concerns, but plenty of us can still remember that strange chemical smell that clung to the air after a play session.
10. Moon Shoes
Marketed in the ’90s as mini-trampolines for your feet, Moon Shoes promised hours of bouncing fun. In reality, they were bulky, hard to walk in, and often left kids with twisted ankles or bruised shins. Falling while wearing them was almost guaranteed.
Parents complained that they were less a toy and more a trip to urgent care waiting to happen. While they’ve been re-released in safer versions, the original design belongs firmly in the “what were they thinking?” category.
11. Toy Guns with Realistic Caps
Cap guns were a staple of many childhoods, with loud pops and smoke giving kids the thrill of a mini firefight. The caps contained explosive powder, which could cause burns or ignite if mishandled. Worse still, the realistic look of some toy guns led to tragic misunderstandings.
As safety concerns grew, laws eventually required toy guns to have bright orange tips and redesigned cap mechanisms. Looking back, it’s unsettling how close these toys looked to real weapons and how dangerous they could be in the wrong situation.
12. Water Rockets
These toys were designed to blast off with a pump of water and air pressure, shooting into the sky before tumbling down. The problem was, the rockets often came back down like missiles, hitting kids on the head or landing hard enough to cause injury.
Despite the risks, they were wildly entertaining, and many kids ignored the instructions to “stand clear.” Today, stricter safety standards would never allow such high-powered projectiles to be sold to children, but they remain a vivid memory of summer afternoons in the neighborhood.