14 Toys That Were Banned in Multiple Countries
These 14 toys were pulled from shelves in different countries due to safety risks, offensive content, or health concerns.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Not all toys are safe or appropriate, even if they’re popular. Some were banned in multiple countries because they caused injuries, posed health risks, or violated laws. These examples show why stricter safety rules are sometimes needed for children’s products.
1. Aqua Dots (Australia, U.S., Canada)
Nick_Connolly on Wikimedia Commons
Aqua Dots were colorful beads that stuck together when sprayed with water. However, the coating on the beads contained a chemical that turned into a strong sedative when swallowed. Several children in the U.S. and Australia were hospitalized after falling unconscious. The product was recalled and banned in multiple countries.
2. Lawn Darts (U.S., Canada, Australia)
Jasonbook99 on Wikimedia Commons
Lawn darts were large, weighted darts meant for outdoor games. They caused many serious head injuries, especially in children. After reports of deaths and emergency surgeries, several countries banned them completely. Safer alternatives without sharp tips were replaced later.
3. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Dolls (U.S., U.K.)
Joe Mabel on Wikimedia Commons
This version of the Cabbage Patch Doll could “eat” plastic snacks using motorized jaws. However, the dolls continued to chew if something else got caught, such as a child’s hair or finger. Parents reported injuries and hair being pulled out. The doll was pulled from the market due to safety risks.
4. Kinder Surprise Eggs (U.S.)
United States Customs and Border Protection on Wikimedia Commons
Kinder Surprise Eggs contain small toys hidden inside chocolate shells. The U.S. banned them due to a law that forbids embedding non-food items inside food. Officials stated that the small toy parts posed a choking hazard. Kinder later made a different version that was legal in the U.S.
5. Sky Dancers (U.S., Canada)
Ethan Doyle White on Wikimedia Commons
Sky Dancers were dolls with wings that launched into the air by pulling a string. Many children were hit in the face or eyes by the fast-moving wings. There were over 150 reported injuries. The product was eventually recalled for being too dangerous.
6. Magnetix Building Sets (U.S., Canada)
Grodalo on Wikimedia Commons
Magnetix toys used small magnetic parts that could be snapped together to build shapes. If swallowed, the magnets could attract each other inside the body and cause serious injuries or even death. Dozens of children needed surgery after swallowing them. Regulators issued recalls and banned the product in several regions.
7. Atomic Energy Lab Kit (U.S.)
Tiia Monto on Wikimedia Commons
This science kit from the 1950s actually included small amounts of uranium and radioactive materials. It was marketed to children as an educational toy. Although the radiation levels were low, it was considered unsafe for home use. The kit was removed from stores not long after its release.
8. Clackers (U.S., Europe)
Santishek on Wikimedia Commons
Clackers were two hard acrylic balls on a string that users swung together until they struck each other. The toy often shattered, sending sharp pieces flying. Many kids were injured by the broken parts. Eventually, the toy was banned due to the risk of eye injuries and cuts.
9. Jelly Bath (U.K., Australia)
Cbx74 on Wikimedia Commons
Jelly Bath was a product that turned bath water into a jelly-like substance. Children enjoyed playing with the texture, but some swallowed it, and it later hardened inside their systems. This caused choking and other medical issues. It was banned or heavily restricted in several countries.
10. Bindeez (Australia, U.S., New Zealand)
Nick Connolly on Wikimedia Commons
Bindeez were similar to Aqua Dots and also used beads that stuck together with water. Like Aqua Dots, the beads contained a toxic chemical that, when ingested, acted like a sedative. Several children ended up in hospitals after swallowing them. The toy was recalled and banned in many places.
11. Fidget Spinners with Lead Paint (U.S.)
Florian Schäffer on Wikimedia Commons
Some fidget spinners sold in the U.S. were found to contain high levels of lead in the paint and metal parts. Lead exposure is especially dangerous for children and can affect brain development. Tests by consumer safety groups showed levels far above legal limits. Stores pulled these products from shelves, and the items were banned from sale in multiple states.
12. Yo-Yo Water Balls (U.S., Canada, Australia, France)
XuliánConX on Wikimedia Commons
These toys had a stretchy cord attached to a liquid-filled rubber ball. The cords were long and could wrap around a child’s neck during play. There were multiple reports of choking incidents. Several countries banned or restricted them due to the strangulation risk.
13. Mini Hammocks Without Spreader Bars (U.S.)
David Adam Kess on Wikimedia Commons
Mini hammocks sold without spreader bars would collapse too easily. Children could become tangled and trapped inside, and there were several reported deaths. The design flaw made them unsafe for kids. Authorities banned the sale of these hammocks for home use.
14. Sky Rangers Planes (U.S., Canada)
U.S. Navy on Wikimedia Commons
Sky Rangers were motorized foam planes that launched high into the air. Some of them exploded mid-air due to a design fault in the battery system. This caused injuries and fire hazards. They were recalled and banned after multiple incidents were reported.