16 Products That Were Marketed to Kids but Definitely Shouldn’t Have Been
Sometimes companies try too hard to grab a child's attention, forgetting that not everything is suitable for young minds. Over the years, several products were aimed at kids even though they carried risky messages, strange ideas, or flat-out dangerous features. These items stirred concern, confusion, and even controversy among parents and experts alike.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Kids are easily influenced by colors, cartoons, and catchy slogans, which is why marketing to them can be powerful. However, when grown-up themes, harmful materials, or inappropriate ideas are wrapped in playful packaging, things can go very wrong. These products crossed the line by targeting children when they clearly weren’t meant for young users. Here are 16 shocking items that raised serious questions about marketing and child safety.
1. Candy Cigarettes
Alf van Beem on Wikimedia
These sweets looked exactly like real cigarettes, often with a chalky stick and powdered sugar that mimicked smoke. Kids could pretend to “smoke,” which made the habit seem fun or normal. Many believe they encouraged early interest in tobacco.
2. CSI Fingerprint Kit
Porter Anderson on Wikimedia
Sold as a toy tied to the popular crime show, it let kids dust for fingerprints using a powder that reportedly contained asbestos. The product was pulled after health concerns were raised. It’s a scary example of how even science kits can pose hidden dangers.
3. Mini Kitchen Knives for Kids
Kampus Production on Pexels
Marketed as a “junior chef” tool, these sharp blades were meant to teach cooking skills to children. While learning to cook is great, real knives are never safe for small hands. Parents were shocked to find such risky items in toy aisles.
4. Play-Doh’s “Poop Troop” Set
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
This modeling kit encouraged kids to mold poop shapes and give them faces and names. While silly to some, many parents felt it sent the wrong message about hygiene and behavior. The strange concept sparked confusion about its purpose.
5. Easy-Bake Ovens with Metal Heating Plates
Polesie Toys on Pexels
The beloved toy oven used real heat to bake mini treats but had a metal plate that could cause burns. Some kids got seriously hurt while using it. The design was eventually changed after safety warnings.
6. Baby’s First Mini Tanning Bed (Gag Gift Turned Real)
Alexander Mass on Pexels
What started as a joke ended up being sold in novelty shops and online. Even though it wasn’t a real tanning bed, it sparked debate about normalizing harmful beauty trends. The idea itself caused alarm among parents and health experts.
7. Hannah Montana Card Game with “Truth or Dare” Themes
Thirdman on Pexels
This game included dares like kissing strangers or calling random phone numbers. It was sold to kids as young as eight years old. Critics questioned how such adult-style content ended up in a children’s product.
8. Slime Containing Boron
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Slime is a popular toy, but some batches have been found to contain high levels of boron, which can be harmful if ingested. It’s especially risky for young kids who may put toys in their mouths. The chemical raised red flags for parents across several countries.
9. My First Makeover Kit with Lipstick and Blush
Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels
Aimed at kids under 10, these kits included real makeup with questionable ingredients. The idea of beauty routines for children drew backlash for promoting adult standards too early. Some brands were even recalled due to allergic reactions.
10. Aqua Dots (Also Known as Bindeez)
Nick_Connolly on Wikimedia
This craft toy let kids make colorful designs using beads that stuck together with water. The issue? The coating on the beads turned into a hazardous chemical when ingested, resulting in multiple hospital visits.
11. Gummy Vitamins That Looked Like Candy
Tara Winstead on Pexels
Gummy vitamins were marketed with bright labels and cartoon characters, making them hard to tell apart from candy. Some kids ate too many and got sick because they thought it was just a sweet treat. Doctors warned against this confusing packaging.
12. Barbie and Tanner Dog Play Set
Наталья on Pexels
This toy let Barbie clean up after her dog, complete with toy poop and a magnetic scooper. Many parents questioned why pretend dog waste was being sold as a form of entertainment. It was eventually discontinued due to complaints.
13. Pole Dancing Kits for Kids (Sold in the UK)
Pixabay on Pexels
A real product sold online promised “fitness fun” with a home pole kit for little girls. It drew immediate outrage for promoting an activity closely linked with adult entertainment. The company quickly removed it after public backlash.
14. Inflatable Sumo Suits with No Head Protection
Cpl. Bruno J. Bego on Wikimedia
These were made for backyard fun but offered little to no safety features, especially for the head. Kids often fall while wrestling and get hurt. The product was pulled from many shelves after injury reports.
15. Joker Bubble Bath with Violent Labeling
cottonbro studio on Pexels
A children’s bath product featured the villain Joker holding a weapon and surrounded by chaos. Parents questioned why such dark imagery was used on a kids’ hygiene item. The design mixed fun with fear in a way that didn’t sit well.
16. Snack Foods with Caffeinated Ingredients
Magda Ehlers on Pexels
Energy drinks and caffeinated snacks were marketed with kid-friendly designs and flavors. Some children ended up with heart issues after consuming too much. Regulators stepped in to restrict how these products were labeled and sold.