10 Toys That Were Surprisingly Banned in Certain Countries
Although toys are usually considered fun, some have been banned in some countries over the years for safety and cultural reasons or because they could be harmful. Even though these toys were popular in many parts of the world, they were limited by the law because of their materials, production hazards, or effects on children.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Toys are meant to be fun and entertaining, but some have caused problems and were eventually banned in some countries. In some parts of the world, these toys didn’t get past the regulators because they were made with dangerous materials or had bad designs. This article talks about 10 toys that were banned and the strange reasons why they were banned. These toys show that not all childhood favorites are as safe as they seem as they are choking hazards and cause bad behavior.
1. Barbie Dolls (Saudi Arabia)
Mattel, Inc on Wikimedia
In the early 2000s, Barbie dolls were banned in Saudi Arabia because they had unrealistic body shapes and looked bad. People thought the dolls promoted Western values that contradicted Islamic law and culture. Even though it is illegal in Saudi Arabia, Barbie is still a popular toy in many countries and has many fans worldwide.
2. Cabbage Patch Kids (Germany)
Appalachian Artworks, Inc on Wikimedia
The popular Cabbage Patch Kids doll collection was almost banned in Germany in the 1980s because its tiny parts, like the shoes and buttons, could cause choking in young children. After some modifications, the dolls became safer and were released in Germany—however, the original ban generated much discussion.
3. Lawn Darts (Australia, Canada, and the US)
David J. Boozer on Pexels
With their heavy metal tips, lawn darts were banned in some US states, Australia, and parts of Canada because they were dangerous. When thrown, the sharp points could hurt someone very badly, especially if a child was hit. Lawn darts were taken off the shelves in many countries because of this, and safer alternatives became available.
4. The Easy-Bake Oven (United Kingdom)
JGKlein on Wikimedia
In the UK during the 2000s, the Easy-Bake Oven was banned because of safety concerns about its heat source. Many kids loved this toy, but the heating element in the oven was thought to be too dangerous for kids to use without adult supervision. It was eventually allowed back with better safety features, but the fact that it was banned showed how dangerous toys with real heating elements can be.
5. The Rubik’s Cube (Vietnam)
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
In the 1980s, Vietnam briefly banned the famous Rubik’s Cube, which is known for being a difficult puzzle to solve. People thought the toy would make kids unhappy and irritable because it symbolized the Western world during a tense political time. Even though it was banned, the Rubik’s Cube became popular again in many places and is still a classic puzzle toy.
6. Thomas the Tank Engine (China)
Jonathan Beilke on Wikimedia
Early in the 2000s, the Chinese government outlawed Thomas the Tank Engine toys since their paint contained lead. The toys were discovered to have dangerously high lead levels, so children who played with them might become sick. After the paint issue was resolved, the toys were returned to the market, but the original ban raised awareness of the dangers of employing dangerous materials.
7. The Tickle Me Elmo (Various Countries)
Joshua Lim on Pexels
Even though Tickle Me Elmo was a big hit in the late 1990s, it was banned in some places for safety and legal reasons. It was found that the toy had small parts that could choke kids, and its loud, unpredictable movements could scare little kids. The toy returned with safety improvements, but the fact that it was banned at first made headlines during the toy craze.
8. Lead-Painted Toys (Multiple Countries)
J-E Nyström, Janke on Wikimedia
Many places, like the US and Europe, banned toys painted with lead-based paint as more people learned how dangerous lead is. Lead poisoning in children can slow down their growth and cause serious health issues. Toys with lead paint were not allowed in the 2000s, which was a big step toward making toys safer for kids worldwide.
9. The Pocket Knife Toy (United States)
Hariboneagle927 on Wikimedia
People in the US thought that the pocket knife toy, which looked like a small knife for adults, would encourage kids to do bad things. People feared kids would try to act like adults with the toy knife because it looked so much like a real one. The ban was part of a bigger plan to make it harder for kids to get dangerous toys.
10. Sky Dancers (United States)
SSGT Roach on Wikimedia
In the US, Sky Dancers, the flying toys that spun through the air, were banned because kids were hurt while playing with them. The dolls were put on a plastic base and launched with a pull string into the air. However, their unpredictable flight patterns put kids and adults nearby at risk. After many complaints and injuries, Sky Dancers were taken off the shelves, but similar toys with safer designs are now on the market.