12 Old-School Toys That Would Be Considered Unsafe Today
Some of the toys we grew up with were fun, but looking back, it’s a miracle we survived them.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Toy safety standards weren’t always as strict as they are today, which means some of the classics from decades past would never make it to shelves now. From hazardous chemicals to serious choking risks, these playthings were basically accidents waiting to happen. Let’s take a nostalgic yet slightly terrifying look at 12 old-school toys that would be considered too dangerous today.
1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
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Lawn darts were basically metal spears with plastic fins, designed to be tossed across the yard. The problem? They were heavy and sharp and could impale anything or anyone in their path. After several serious injuries and even fatalities, they were banned in the U.S. in 1988. Today’s versions have soft, rounded tips but never have the same dangerous thrill.
2. Creepy Crawlers Oven
Berry Prince on Wikimedia Commons
This toy let kids pour liquid plastic into metal molds and bake them in a small oven to create rubbery bugs. Unfortunately, the “Plasti-Goop” contained harmful chemicals, and the oven got hot enough to cause serious burns. Kids ended up with scorched fingers or inhaling toxic fumes. Later versions were made safer, but the original was a recipe for disaster.
3. Clackers
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Clackers were two heavy acrylic balls attached by a string that kids swung up and down until they smacked together. If that sounds like a terrible idea, that’s because it was—especially when the balls occasionally shattered like glass, sending sharp pieces flying. The injuries ranged from bruises to eye damage, leading to their ban in the 1970s. A safer version exists now, but it’s just not the same without the risk.
4. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
Tiia Monto on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, you read that right! This toy set contained small amounts of real uranium ore. Marketed in the 1950s, it was meant to teach kids about nuclear energy, but handling radioactive materials probably wasn’t the best lesson. While exposure levels were low, long-term effects were a concern, and the kit was eventually discontinued. Today, this would be a lawsuit (or a hazmat situation) waiting to happen.
5. Easy-Bake Oven (Original Version)
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The original Easy-Bake Oven used an actual lightbulb to generate enough heat to bake tiny cakes. The problem? That bulb could reach over 350°F, leading to countless burned fingers. Some later models even had a design flaw that allowed kids’ hands to get trapped inside. After multiple recalls, it was redesigned with safer heating elements.
6. Slip ‘N Slide (Original Version)
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A backyard classic, the Slip ‘N Slide seemed harmless—until older kids and adults started using it. Unlike small children, heavier bodies could gain too much momentum, leading to spinal injuries or concussions. The product was never banned but came with strong warnings against use by anyone over 12. It turns out that head-first sliding onto hard ground wasn’t the best idea.
7. Sky Dancers
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Sky Dancers were fairy dolls launched into the air by pulling a ripcord, but their flight paths were anything but graceful. These toys were often shot off in unpredictable directions, hitting kids (or parents) in the face or eyes and even breaking windows. After numerous injuries, including concussions and scratched corneas, the toy was recalled in the early 2000s. Today’s versions have softer materials and better controls.
8. Yo-Yo Water Balls
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A seemingly simple toy, the Yo-Yo Water Ball consisted of a squishy liquid-filled ball attached to a stretchy cord. Kids would sling them around, but the cords could wrap around their necks, creating a major strangulation risk. Some also contained a flammable liquid inside, adding another layer of danger. While not officially banned, many retailers stopped selling them due to safety concerns.
9. Buckyballs (Magnetic Desk Toys)
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Originally marketed as desk toys for adults, these tiny but powerful magnets became a nightmare when kids started swallowing them. If two or more magnets were ingested, they could attract each other inside the body, causing serious internal injuries or even requiring surgery. After numerous medical emergencies, Buckyballs were banned in the U.S. for several years. While they’ve made a comeback with stronger warnings, they remain a risky toy.
10. Nerf Gun
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Nerf guns are used to shoot foam darts with surprising force, often leading to eye injuries and bruises. Early versions didn’t come with the soft, rounded tips we see today, making them even riskier. Kids would shoot them at close range, sometimes aiming directly at faces because, let’s be honest, that was part of the fun. Nowadays, stricter safety guidelines ensure that toy blasters are less likely to cause an impromptu trip to the ER.
11. Cabbage Patch Kids
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In the ‘80s, Cabbage Patch Kids were a must-have, but the “Snacktime” edition in the ‘90s was a nightmare. This version had a motorized mouth that could “chew” plastic food—and anything else that got in the way, including kids’ fingers and hair. Parents had to intervene as these dolls chomped down without an off switch, making for some pretty traumatic playtime.
12. Toy Crossbows
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Some toy crossbows were so powerful they could shoot plastic darts at speeds strong enough to break the skin. Some models even fired small arrows, which led to injuries ranging from eye damage to full-blown puncture wounds. Eventually, manufacturers had to tone down their power to avoid accidental battlefield-level injuries. It turns out that arming kids with medieval weapons wasn’t the best idea after all.