15 Toy Commercials That Would Be Considered Dangerous Today
These 15 toy commercials pushed fun over safety, and they would not make it on air today.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Many toys from the past were shown in ads that made them look fun but ignored real dangers. Some had sharp parts, strong magnets, or even chemicals that could harm kids. This list shows 15 examples of toys that would not be allowed today because of safety rules.
1. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
Tiia Monto on Wikimedia Commons
Marketed in the 1950s, this toy allowed children to experiment with actual radioactive materials. While it aimed to educate, the inclusion of uranium ore would be deemed highly unsafe today.
2. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Jasonbook99 on Wikimedia Commons
This toy looked like backyard fun but had kids throwing metal darts with sharp tips. The commercial made it seem harmless, like a game of horseshoes. In reality, it sent thousands to the ER before it was pulled from the shelves.
3. Aqua Dots
Nick Connolly on Wikimedia Commons
These colorful beads looked like harmless craft fun and were all over TV. The ads did not mention that swallowing them could cause serious harm. The coating turned into a powerful sedative inside the body, sending multiple kids to the hospital.
4. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll
Appalachian Artworks, Inc on Wikimedia Commons
This doll had a motorized mouth that was supposed to “eat” plastic snacks. The problem? It would not stop grabbing onto kids’ hair and fingers with no off switch in sight.
5. Sky Dancers
JoEllen Moths on Pexels
These flying dolls launched with the pull of a string and twirled through the air like mini helicopters. However, they had no clear flight path and often smacked kids in the face. Dozens of injuries led to a full recall.
6. Clackers
Santishek on Wikimedia Commons
This toy featured two hard acrylic balls swung up and down on strings to make a clacking sound. However, when they clacked too hard, they could shatter mid-air. Flying plastic pieces turned this into a real hazard.
7. Easy-Bake Oven
Bradross63 on Wikimedia Commons
It seemed like the perfect toy for kids who loved pretend cooking, but this mini oven used real heat and had tiny openings where fingers could get stuck. Dozens of burn reports turned up before major changes were made.
8. Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maebel Tinoko (U.S. Navy) on Wikimedia Commons
This toy spaceship came with spring-loaded missiles that could actually fire. One of those projectiles was small enough to be swallowed. Tragically, it led to a fatal choking incident.
9. Fisher-Price Power Wheels Motorcycle
DiscoA340 on Wikimedia Commons
The toy bike looked like a fun, fast ride for kids, but some versions had faulty pedals that stuck down, forcing the vehicle to keep going. This led to crashes, scrapes, and more than a few parent freakouts.
10. Hoverboards
Chris Hunkeler on Wikimedia Commons
These were the must-have gadgets of the mid-2010s, but they came with a spark — literally. Many models had battery issues that caused fires or explosions, and some even burst into flames while charging.
11. Buckyballs
UCL Mathematical and Physical Sciences on Wikimedia Commons
These magnetic desk toys were oddly satisfying to play with and shape, but if swallowed, the magnets could attract inside the body, damaging intestines and organs. Multiple kids required surgery before they were taken off the market.
12. Mini Hammocks
David Adam Kess on Wikimedia Commons
They seemed like a relaxing hangout for kids, but these hammocks had a dangerous flaw. Without spreader bars, they could collapse and twist like a trap. Several children died from strangulation before action was taken.
13. Hello Kitty Whistle
GiYu on Wikimedia Commons
This cute little toy came inside a fast-food meal, making it extra tempting for toddlers. However, the small parts inside the whistle could break off and become a choking hazard. It was quickly recalled after multiple incidents.
14. Transformers EarthSpark Cyber-Sleeve
Hasbro on Wikimedia Commons
This wearable blaster let kids fire foam darts from their wrists like superheroes, but the launch power was way too strong for young users. Some kids ended up with eye injuries and concerned parents.
15. Slip ’N Slide (Honorable Mention)
Imokurnotok (talk) on Wikimedia Commons
It seemed like harmless backyard fun, but the original versions of this toy were not made for adults or teens. Several people broke bones or suffered spinal injuries trying to slide down. It taught everyone that wet plastic and speed do not always mix.