12 Once-Popular Toys That Were Actually Dangerous

Although toys are supposed to make people happy, several well-liked playthings have shown to be potential disasters over time. These toys led to accidents, litigation, and eventually bans because of choking risks, poisonous chemicals, or just harmful designs. Their safety records make them unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, even though they could evoke fond recollections.

1. Lawn Darts

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Also known as Jarts, these weighted metal darts were essentially small spears. They were responsible for numerous injuries and even fatalities when children were struck in the head.

2. Easy-Bake Oven (Older Models)

JGKlein on Wikimedia Commons

The idea of kids baking their own treats sounded great—until fingers started getting trapped in the heating chamber. Some models reached temperatures high enough to cause severe burns.

3. Aqua Dots

Nick_Connolly on Wikimedia Commons

These colorful beads looked innocent but contained a toxic chemical that, when ingested, turned into a substance similar to a date rape drug. Several children were hospitalized after falling unconscious from swallowing them.

4. Clackers

Santishek on Wikimedia Commons

These swinging acrylic balls were meant to create a rhythmic clacking sound but often shattered mid-use. Fragments flew everywhere, leading to eye injuries and facial cuts.

5. Moon Shoes

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Marketed as mini trampolines for your feet, these plastic-and-bungee contraptions caused sprained ankles and broken bones. Kids frequently lost balance and took nasty falls.

6. Magnetix

Wikimedia Commons

This building set contained small, powerful magnets that could be swallowed by young children. If multiple pieces were ingested, they could attract inside the intestines, causing life-threatening blockages.

7. Skip-It

Saskatoon Public Library on Wikimedia Commons

A spinning ankle toy that encouraged kids to jump over a rotating plastic ball, Skip-It seemed harmless. However, when children were playing with them, tripping, ankle bruises, and even fractures were common complaints.

8. CSI: Fingerprint Examination Kit

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A seemingly educational toy turned out to be coated in asbestos, a known carcinogen. Parents were horrified to learn that children were playing with material linked to deadly diseases.

9. Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher Toys

Sascha Grant on Flickr

In the late ‘70s, this toy’s tiny plastic missiles were a choking hazard, with at least one reported death. The incident led to stricter toy safety regulations, including the now-standard “choke test” for small parts.

10. Yo-Yo Water Balls

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These squishy, liquid-filled yo-yos had a stretchy cord that could wrap tightly around a child’s neck. There were numerous reports of strangulation risks and even breathing difficulties.

11. Buckyballs

U.S. Department of Energy on Wikimedia Commons

These tiny, powerful magnetic spheres were meant for desk toys but became a nightmare when children swallowed them. The magnets could link together inside the digestive system, causing severe internal injuries.

12. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

Atomicdragon136 on Wikimedia Commons

Yes, this 1950s science kit actually contained small amounts of radioactive material. Though it was marketed as a fun way to learn about nuclear energy, the potential health risks were staggering.