12 Toys That Were Banned for Being Too Dangerous
Some toys were so risky that they had to be pulled off the shelves, proving that fun can sometimes come at a high cost.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Not all toys are made for safe playtime. Some have sharp edges, toxic materials, or even explosive parts, making them too dangerous to stay in stories. Whether it was a choking hazard, fire risk, or something even more extreme, these toys ended up getting banned to protect kids from serious harm.
1. Lawn Darts
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wikimedia Commons
Lawn darts looked like a fun backyard game, but their sharp metal tips turned them into deadly weapons. After causing several serious injuries and even fatalities, they were permanently banned in the U.S. in 1988.
2. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll
Joe Mabel on Wikimedia Commons
This doll had a motorized mouth that “ate” plastic snacks but did not know the difference between food and fingers. Reports of kids getting their hair and fingers stuck inside led to a recall.
3. CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Marketed as a fun detective tool, this kit contained fingerprint powder that was later found to contain asbestos. Once the health risks were exposed, it was quickly taken off the market.
4. Sky Dancers
JoEllen Moths on Pexels
Sky Dancers were launched into the air with a pull-string, but they were unpredictable. Many kids were hit in the face, leading to eye injuries, broken teeth, and a recall.
5. Aqua Dots
Nick_Connolly (talk) (Uploads) on Pexels
Aqua Dots looked like harmless craft beads, but they contained a chemical that turned into a powerful sedative when swallowed. Several children were hospitalized, forcing a recall.
6. Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher
Oo Jiflip on Unsplash
This toy spaceship came with a spring-loaded missile, but the small projectiles became a serious choking hazard. After a tragic fatality, the toy was banned.
7. Clackers
Santishek on Wikimedia Commons
Clackers were two heavy acrylic balls on a string that kids swung together, but they sometimes shattered into sharp shards. The risk of eye injuries and cuts led to their ban.
8. Easy-Bake Oven
Bradross63 on Wikimedia Commons
The Easy-Bake Oven let kids cook miniature treats, but some models had a design flaw that trapped children’s fingers inside. Several cases of burns and amputations forced a recall.
9. Magnetix
Grodalo on Pexels
Kids could swallow the tiny, powerful magnets in this toy, and when two or more got stuck in their intestines, it caused life-threatening blockages. The toy was recalled after multiple injuries.
10. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
Brstein on Wikimedia Commons
This 1950s science kit included real uranium samples to help kids “learn” about atomic energy. However, the radiation risks were too great, so it was removed from the shelves.
11. Slap Bracelets
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia Commons
Slap bracelets were fun accessories, but some had metal strips that poked through the fabric, causing cuts. Schools banned them, and manufacturers had to redesign them.
12. Hoverboards
Frank Schwichtenberg on Wikimedia Comments
Hoverboards became popular quickly, but their lithium-ion batteries sometimes overheated and caught fire. After multiple incidents, airlines and retailers banned them.