14 Toys from the ’80s That Would Be Recalled Today
These retro toys, once icons of fun, would never make it past today’s strict safety standards.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
In the 1980s, toy design was far more lenient, with a focus on excitement rather than safety. Many toys from that decade, while nostalgic today, caused injuries ranging from minor cuts to life-threatening hazards. Looking back, it’s clear that the line between fun and danger was a little too thin.
1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
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These sharp metal-tipped missiles were marketed as backyard fun, but they turned deadly fast. Designed to be thrown across the yard, they were responsible for thousands of injuries and even several child fatalities. By 1988, they were banned outright in the U.S., but not before they left a tragic legacy.
2. Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids
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These dolls had mechanical jaws that “chewed” plastic snacks, but they didn’t stop there. Kids got their fingers and hair caught in the doll’s mouth, with no off switch to stop the motor. It took multiple injury reports before Mattel finally pulled them from shelves in the ’90s, though the issue began in the late ’80s.
3. Clackers (Click Clacks)
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Two acrylic balls on a string — what could go wrong? Everything, apparently. As kids slammed them together to make a clicking sound, the balls would sometimes shatter, sending shards of hard plastic flying into eyes and skin.
4. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper
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This toy featured a tiny spring-loaded missile that kids could launch from a spaceship replica. The problem? One boy tragically choked to death after the missile lodged in his throat, prompting new toy safety regulations that still shape design today.
5. Slap Bracelets
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Although technically safe in theory, many of these had metal strips that could pierce through the fabric. Several kids ended up with cuts deep enough to need stitches. Schools eventually banned them across the U.S., and newer versions had to be redesigned with safety foam.
6. Polly Pocket (Early Editions)
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Before the bigger redesigns in the ’90s, Polly Pocket sets had dangerously tiny pieces. Kids frequently put them in their mouths, creating choking hazards that went largely unregulated for years. It wasn’t until toy safety standards tightened that Polly got a safer makeover.
7. He-Man Power Sword
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It was supposed to be plastic, but it felt like a bat when kids swung it full force. The rigid material meant injuries — from black eyes to broken knick-knacks — were common in living rooms. Parents quickly learned that pretend sword fights weren’t as harmless as they seemed.
8. My Pet Monster Chains
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The toy itself was cuddly, but the bright plastic handcuffs were another story. Some kids got them stuck too tightly or used them on each other in ways that led to injuries. Safety experts later flagged it for encouraging restraint play without safe release mechanisms.
9. Magnum 440 (Race Car Set)
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This electric race car track got hot — literally. The high-speed cars could spark and even burn fingers if touched while in motion. It seemed thrilling, but parents soon noticed their kids’ little raceways had fire-hazard vibes.
10. Fisher-Price Power Wheels (Early Models)
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Before better engineering and battery safeguards, these tiny ride-on cars had issues with short circuits and runaway acceleration. Some even caught fire in garages. Despite the joy they brought, safety recalls plagued early versions of this iconic toy.
11. Sky Dancers
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They were elegant spinning fairies — until they launched like helicopters into kids’ faces. Eyes, teeth, and even ceiling fans weren’t safe. The toy was eventually recalled in the early 2000s, but its design problems had been present since its late-1980s prototypes.
12. Creepy Crawlers (Original Mold Sets)
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These let kids “cook” plastic bugs in a mini oven. But the heat source could cause serious burns, especially on curious fingers. The idea of giving children a plug-in heating device with molten plastic molds would never fly under modern safety standards.
13. Teddy Ruxpin
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Though beloved for storytelling, early models had mechanical jaws and cassette players inside that could jam or malfunction. Some kids got their fingers pinched or the cassette player overheated. If produced today without updates, it would face intense regulatory scrutiny.
14. Stretch Armstrong
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Filled with corn syrup-like goo, Stretch Armstrong was endlessly pulled and twisted by eager kids. However, if punctured or torn, the insides became a sticky, potentially mold-growing mess. The toy was fun, but its leaking innards weren’t exactly non-toxic.