1. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts)
If you grew up in the ’70s or ’80s, chances are someone’s backyard had a set of these. They looked like oversized darts with heavy metal tips and were meant to be tossed into plastic rings on the ground. The problem was that these weren’t just fun toys—they were also dangerous projectiles. A mis-aimed throw could easily end in stitches or worse.
By the late ’80s, enough injuries had piled up that Jarts were pulled from the market entirely. Parents were shocked to realize that a toy so casually sold at toy stores and sporting goods shops could be so hazardous. Today, you won’t find anything like them in mainstream toy aisles. Companies still make safer “soft-tip” versions, but the original design is gone for good.
2. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
This toy let kids create rubbery bugs by pouring liquid plastic into metal molds. The molds had to be heated on an actual electric hot plate, which could get dangerously hot. Burns were a common occurrence, and the liquid “Plasti-Goop” wasn’t exactly kid-friendly either. But the appeal of making your own slimy bugs was hard to resist.
Parents often complained about the smell too—it was strong and chemical-like. By modern standards, giving children access to a hot plate and toxic liquids feels unthinkable. Still, the creativity and independence it offered kids made it a classic. Nostalgia for Creepy Crawlers is strong, but safety rules today wouldn’t allow the original version to ever come back.
3. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kids
These dolls were marketed as a new twist on the wildly popular Cabbage Patch line. Instead of just being cuddly companions, the Snacktime Kids “ate” plastic food that disappeared into their stomachs. The problem was that their mechanical jaws didn’t distinguish between fake french fries and a child’s fingers. Many kids ended up with pinched skin and pulled hair.
The toy sparked enough panic that it was pulled from shelves within months of its release in the mid-’90s. Parents were horrified at the thought of a toy literally biting their children. While Cabbage Patch dolls continue in safer forms, the Snacktime variety became one of the most infamous toy recalls of all time.
4. Gilbert Glass Blowing Kit
Imagine giving kids a box that encouraged them to play with fire and molten glass. That’s exactly what the Gilbert Glass Blowing Kit from the 1950s did. It came with instructions and tools for heating up glass tubes so kids could shape them into ornaments or lab-style equipment. It sounds like something that belonged in a college chemistry class rather than a toy box.
Not surprisingly, burns and accidents were common, and many parents quickly realized this “toy” was more of a hazard than a hobby starter. It’s almost shocking that it was ever approved for children. Today, there’s no way a toy like this would pass safety regulations. Still, it’s remembered as one of the wildest examples of “toys from another time.”
5. Battlestar Galactica Missile-Firing Toys
When Battlestar Galactica first aired in the late ’70s, kids wanted action figures and ships to match. The problem was that some of those ships came with spring-loaded plastic missiles. Tragically, one child choked to death after a missile got lodged in his throat. That incident was enough to prompt a recall and change toy safety forever.
Mattel redesigned the toys to have non-firing, permanently attached projectiles. Parents were left wary of any toys that involved small parts being shot across the room. Today, toy makers are extremely cautious about projectile launchers. The Battlestar Galactica toys remain a sobering reminder of how dangerous a simple design flaw can be.
6. Clackers
These toys were basically two acrylic balls attached to a string with a small loop in the middle. The idea was to swing them up and down so the balls clacked together rhythmically. It sounds harmless, but anyone who played with them remembers how quickly things could go wrong.
Clackers had a reputation for shattering, sending shards of hard plastic flying like glass. Even when they didn’t break, the balls could easily bruise wrists or smack someone in the face. They were eventually pulled from shelves, though knock-off versions sometimes popped up at flea markets. Today, they’d never pass modern safety inspections.
7. Atomic Energy Lab
This 1950s science kit included actual radioactive materials. Yes, kids were encouraged to experiment with uranium ore samples in the name of science. While the intention was educational, the execution was unbelievably risky. Parents might have thought they were buying a cutting-edge learning tool, but they were also bringing radiation into the living room.
The set was only sold for a short time before being discontinued, likely due to both cost and safety concerns. Looking back, it seems almost absurd that anyone thought this was safe for children. In today’s world, even a toy that hints at radiation would never make it past the design stage.
8. Mini Hammocks Without Spreaders
In the ’80s and ’90s, small nylon hammocks for kids were sold as a fun backyard accessory. But they lacked spreader bars to keep the opening wide. Children could become entangled and tragically, some suffocated after slipping in and getting trapped.
Recalls quickly followed, and many families got rid of them once the dangers became clear. Today, hammocks made for children always come with safety reinforcements. It’s a chilling example of how something seemingly relaxing and fun could turn into a real hazard.
9. Sky Dancers
These colorful fairy dolls launched into the air with a pull-string base. Kids loved watching them spin and twirl, but the reality was far less magical. The dolls often flew unpredictably, crashing into faces, eyes, or furniture. Emergency rooms saw their fair share of Sky Dancer-related injuries.
Eventually, the toys were recalled, though many kids still remember them fondly. They were one of those toys that felt thrilling because they were unpredictable—but that was also exactly why they were dangerous. A toy like that wouldn’t survive today’s strict safety guidelines.
10. Easy-Bake Oven (Original Metal Version)
The Easy-Bake Oven is still around today, but the first versions from the ’60s and ’70s were far less safe. They used an actual light bulb that could heat up to dangerous temperatures. Kids often burned their fingers while sliding pans in and out. Some even got their hands stuck inside the small oven slots.
Later models introduced safety doors and lower-heat bulbs, but the original design would never fly today. Parents look back with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief that they were essentially letting their children play with a hot oven. It was definitely a product of its time.
11. Splash-Off Water Rockets
These toys promised summer fun by shooting water-filled rockets into the sky. The problem was that they could launch with surprising force. Kids who stood too close risked getting smacked in the face or knocked over. Sometimes the plastic rockets cracked on impact, turning them into sharp projectiles.
Parents eventually realized they were a little too powerful to be considered safe. The toy faded from store shelves, replaced by gentler water blasters and safer launch toys. Today, the idea of kids aiming a rocket that could easily cause injury just wouldn’t pass inspection.
12. Toy Cap Guns with Realistic Looks
Cap guns were a childhood staple for decades, especially in the ’50s and ’60s. But as time went on, the realistic look of these toy guns became a serious concern. They often looked indistinguishable from actual firearms, which created dangerous situations. There were tragic incidents where children holding cap guns were mistaken for holding real weapons.
Eventually, regulations required bright orange tips and less realistic designs. The original versions, made of metal and painted black or silver, disappeared from shelves. Today, there’s no way stores could legally sell them without safety modifications. They serve as a stark reminder of how much times—and expectations—have changed.