Top 20+ Toys We All Played With That Were Actually Pretty Dangerous

Some super fun toys we all played with also had a risky side. Let’s take a look at 20 old-school toys that were wildly popular growing uo, even if they weren’t exactly safe.

20. Lawn Darts

Lawn darts, or Jarts, were weighted darts that players would throw at a target. The problem was that the metal tips were pretty sharp and heavy, which sadly meant if they came into contact with a person, they'd be seriously injured. It's a good thing the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission eventually banned them in 1988 due to safety concerns.

19. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll

The Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll wasn't just creepy, she was also pretty dangerous. She came with a mechanical mouth that could munch on plastic snacks when the food was set in her open lips. It then exited into a backpack on the doll's back. The problem was that her mouth could trap children's fingers. The doll was ultimately recalled after one too many reports of kids needing to be freed from its grasp.

18. Aqua Dots

Aqua Dots, also called Bindeez, Beados, PixOs, and Aquabeads, were small, colorful beads that could be arranged and fused together with water. Initially praised for its creativity, the toy was later found to contain a toxic chemical called 1,4-butanediol, which could metabolize into a sedative-hypnotic drug. In 2007, it was withdrawn from the North American market by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as the Australian and European markets, after too many kids fell unconscious from swallowing them.

17. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper

Modeled after the sleek fighter ship from Battlestar Galactica (1978), this toy came with a spring-loaded missile that quickly raised concerns among parents. After a tragic incident involving a child choking on a projectile, it was recalled. In January 1979, Mattel began urging consumers to return the toys or dispose of them safely according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

16. Sky Dancers

Sky Dancers were spinning, flying ballerina-like figures activated by a pull-string launcher. Despite delighting kids, especially young girls, they came with hard plastic wings that could fly rapidly (and dangerously) in unpredictable directions when launched. Unfortunately, this resulted in serious eye, face, and head injuries. By the mid-1990s, the toy was recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

15. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker

This toy, first introduced by Mattel in 1964, allowed children to create rubber insect replicas using a hot metal mold, which was heated in a special oven. However, it carried significant burn risks, as parts could get extremely hot during use. We're talking 390°F or 199°C! Additionally, children often mishandled the molds, which resulted in far too many burns and injuries. It was eventually recalled.

14. Austin Magic Pistol

Marketed as a “magic” toy, this raygun popular in the late '40s and early '50s fired caps that created loud bangs. It was notorious for posing serious safety risks, including burns from the reaction of calcium carbide and water, which would cause a fireball, and damage to the inner ear's sensory cells from the loud noise. It was eventually banned in the '60s.

13. Slip ‘N Slide

There was nothing like the thrill of going down the Slip 'N Slide on a hot summer day! However, they were pretty dangerous, especially due to the force of impact when sliding into the end of the slide. There were several instances of spinal cord damage and paralysis, including a guy named Michael Hubert who broke his neck and became paraplegic in 1989. He ended up suing Kansco, the company that sold the Wham-O Super Slip 'N Slide Water Slide, and won a whopping $12.3 million.

12. Easy-Bake Oven

Hasbro issued a voluntary recall for approximately one million Easy-Bake Ovens in 2007, citing safety concerns regarding potential burns and entrapment of children's fingers and hands in the oven's opening. One tragic incident involved a 5-year-old girl who required a partial finger amputation. The recalled ovens were primarily those sold between May 2006 and July 2007. Luckily, the company redesigned the Easy-Bake Oven with a new heating element and a more modern aesthetic.

11. Johnny Reb Cannon

This toy cannon, popular in the '60s, was marketed as an authentic Civil War cannon. Made of plastic, it featured a spring-loaded mechanism and came with plastic cannonballs and a tow rope. It was eventually taken off the market, likely due to safety concerns. Howevers, others have said that the cannon became too politically incorrect during the Civil Rights Movement, and that's also a reason it was discontinued.

10. CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit

This forensic-themed kit, based on the hit CBS show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015), allowed kids to look for fingerprints with a special powder and brushes. However, it contained up to 5% tremolite, one of the most dangerous forms of asbestos. Though it was a popular toy for many kids, it was eventually recalled.

9. Mini-Bikes

These small, motorized bikes were popular among kids, but notoriously dangerous due to their basic design and lack of modern safety features. As such, there have been several recalls, including Baja Motorsports mini-bikes due to the front forks potentially separating from the wheel and Monster Moto mini-bikes due to gasoline leaks, posing a fire hazard. In Australia, DB1 & PB2 mini-bikes were known to have had a problem with the steering head system, which didn't move freely under its own weight when the front wheel was raised.

8. Moon Shoes

These bouncy shoes, originally created in the '70s, were associated with numerous injuries and complaints. The first moon shoes had exposed metal springs, leading ankle injuries. Later versions, popular in the '90s, were made of plastic and elastic bands, but still faced criticism for safety concerns, including ankle injuries and back problems. While they were never recalled, they definitely were perceived as dangerous, leading to a decline in sales.

7. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

This toy lab kit, popular in the '50s, was designed to teach kids about nuclear and chemical reactions using real radioactive materials, specifically uranium ore, a Geiger-Mueller counter, and other tools. Despite being marketed as an educational tool, it posed serious health risks due to the presence of these radiactive materiials. The kit wasn’t only discontinued for safety issues, but for its high cost, poor sales, and difficulties in sourcing materials.

6. Dragon Flyz

Dragon Flyz were essentially the boy-version of Sky Dancers. They could fly off their base at the pull of a ripcord, creating fun, but also danger. Apparently more than 150 injuries were reported,including temporary blindness, a concussion, broken ribs, and facial lacerations. The toy was eventually banned in 2000.

5. Ride-on Power Wheels

Ride-on Power Wheels were battery-powered ride-on vehicles designed for children. They came in a ton of styles, including Jeeps, ATVs, and other models, often resembling real-life vehicles. However, there were several instances of overheating batteries and faulty wiring, which lead to unintended acceleration or lack of braking, leading to injuries. Moreover, many parents were concerned that their kids would get into collisions or fall off. Though not totally banned, some models have been recalled due to issues with batteries overheating or causing fires.

4. Slap Bracelets

Toysmith Slap Bracelets used to have a metal wristband that could pierce the protective fabric around it, thus exposing sharp edges. As such, they posed a laceration hazard to kids. In fact, several schools banned these bracelets following reports of injuries.

3. Powdered Wig Makeup Kits

These kits were designed to help mimic the appearance of historical figures like George Washington or Marie Antoinette. They even included talcum powder! Unfortunately, kids would end up inhaling talc, linked to serious health risks, including respiratory issues and potential carcinogenic effects. They seemed harmless, but were actually pretty dangerous at the time.