1. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
In the early ’60s, kids could actually buy a science kit that came with real radioactive materials. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab included small samples of uranium ore along with a Geiger counter so children could measure radiation at home. At the time, it was marketed as educational and cutting-edge, but looking back, it feels like something out of a nightmare. Parents thought they were encouraging budding scientists, but in reality, kids were being exposed to harmful substances.
Today, there is no way a toy like this would ever make it to store shelves. The idea of handing radioactive samples to curious children is almost unthinkable. It’s a reminder of just how different safety standards were back then. While the kit is a fascinating piece of history, it’s one that makes modern parents cringe.
2. Jarts (Lawn Darts)
These oversized darts looked like a fun outdoor game but caused thousands of injuries in the ’60s and beyond. The heavy metal tips could pierce skin, stick into the ground, or worse, land on someone’s head. Families played Jarts in backyards across America, never realizing how risky it really was.
Eventually, the injuries became too frequent to ignore. By the late ’80s, lawn darts were officially banned in the U.S. Kids today might play with foam versions, but the sharp originals have become cautionary tales. What once seemed like harmless family fun is now seen as one of the most dangerous toys ever made.
3. Clackers
Clackers were two acrylic balls attached to a string, designed to bang together in rhythmic patterns. They seemed harmless at first glance, but anyone who remembers them knows they could shatter into sharp shards. Kids often ended up with bruised wrists or flying bits of plastic hitting them in the face.
The craze was huge in the ’60s, with kids competing to see who could “clack” the fastest. But safety concerns quickly overshadowed the fun. Some versions were pulled from shelves, while others were re-released in softer materials. It’s one of those toys that started as trendy but ended as a hazard.
4. Creepy Crawlers Oven
The Creepy Crawlers set let kids pour liquid plastic into molds and then “cook” them in a small plug-in oven. The result was rubbery bugs, worms, and other critters kids loved to collect and trade. But the oven got dangerously hot, and burns were a common complaint.
Parents didn’t always realize how unsafe it was to let children handle molten plastic. Add in the fact that the fumes weren’t exactly healthy to breathe in, and it’s clear why this toy wouldn’t fly today. It was creative and fun, but definitely not safe by modern standards.
5. Johnny Reb Cannon
This toy cannon from the ’60s was designed to actually fire plastic shells across the yard. Kids loved the idea of launching projectiles like real soldiers, but unsurprisingly, it often caused injuries. The cannon could shoot with surprising force, and anything in its path was fair game.
It’s wild to think parents once thought this was an acceptable toy. The Johnny Reb Cannon wasn’t just unsafe, it also carried a strange message by glorifying Civil War battles for playtime. These days, both safety and sensitivity would make it completely unmarketable.
6. Vac-U-Form
This kit allowed kids to mold thin sheets of heated plastic into different shapes using a small vacuum machine. The idea was to make little cars, masks, or toys of your own design. But the heating element was far too hot for children to handle safely.
Burns were a frequent issue, and melted plastic wasn’t the safest thing to be working with either. Still, the Vac-U-Form gave kids a sense of creativity that kept it popular for years. Looking back, it’s easy to see why parents today wouldn’t let their kids near it.
7. Belt Buckle Derringer
Yes, in the ’60s, there was actually a toy gun built into a belt buckle. With the press of a button, it popped open and “fired” a small cap or projectile. It was marketed as a fun spy gadget for kids who loved playing secret agent.
The problem was obvious: children walking around with hidden toy weapons that could fire at close range. Even if it didn’t cause serious injuries, it encouraged unsafe behavior. Today, any toy resembling a concealed firearm would be banned instantly.
8. Water Wiggle
The Water Wiggle looked like a simple sprinkler attachment but turned out to be a menace. It was a long plastic tube with a nozzle that whipped around unpredictably when connected to a garden hose. Kids found it funny until it smacked them in the face or wrapped tightly around them.
The toy’s unpredictable movements caused injuries ranging from welts to serious accidents. Eventually, it was pulled from the market after reports of strangulation risks. It’s one of those cases where something meant for summertime fun became dangerous far too quickly.
9. Sky Rangers Planes
These toy airplanes were powered by a hand crank that wound up rubber bands, sending the planes soaring high into the sky. It sounded thrilling, but the sharp propellers and hard plastic design often made them hazardous. Kids would launch them without thinking about where they’d land.
It wasn’t uncommon for the planes to come crashing into someone’s face or smash into windows. Unlike today’s foam gliders, these planes were built with much tougher materials. They gave a sense of adventure but weren’t worth the risk.
10. Wham-O Air Blaster
Wham-O was known for wild inventions, and the Air Blaster was no exception. It was a gun that shot bursts of air with enough force to knock over lightweight objects. Kids, of course, aimed them at each other’s faces.
While it didn’t shoot actual projectiles, the pressure could still cause eye injuries. It was marketed as harmless, but many parents quickly realized it wasn’t. Toys that put children’s eyesight at risk don’t stand a chance on shelves today.
11. Suzy Homemaker Oven
The Suzy Homemaker line included miniature ovens and other appliances that actually worked. The oven could bake tiny cakes and cookies, but it also got hot enough to cause burns. Children loved pretending to be grown-ups, but the safety design was nearly nonexistent.
It seems unbelievable now, but kids were trusted to handle a real heating element with almost no supervision. While the nostalgia remains strong for this toy, the dangers are obvious in hindsight. Toy kitchens today focus on imagination rather than real cooking for a reason.
12. Gas-Powered Toy Cars
Some toy cars in the ’60s were actually powered by miniature gasoline engines. They weren’t just battery-operated, they required fuel and could drive at surprisingly high speeds. That made them thrilling, but also incredibly unsafe for kids to control.
Fires, burns, and crashes were all too common. The idea of handing a child a toy with real gasoline inside seems shocking today. Battery-powered cars are safer and still exciting, but the gas-powered versions are strictly relics of the past.
13. Belt Whip Tops
Spinning tops were a classic, but in the ’60s, some versions came with whip cords kids would snap to keep them spinning. The cords often doubled as weapons, and kids inevitably hit each other instead of the toy. It only took one misfire to leave someone with a nasty welt.
Though they were supposed to be innocent fun, whip tops quickly became infamous on playgrounds. They blurred the line between game and dangerous weapon. Toys like these are a perfect example of how safety wasn’t the priority back then.