16 Toys That Broke as Soon as You Opened Them
These childhood toys promised hours of fun but often fell apart before the day was over.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Every kid remembers the excitement of opening a new toy; only to watch it snap, crack, or quit working almost immediately. Decades ago, we were packed with toys that were fragile. Here are 16 nostalgic toys that barely survived the first play session, leaving plenty of kids frustrated and heartbroken.
1. Slinky (Plastic Versions)
Adam Valstar on Unsplash
The metal slinky lasted, but the cheap plastic ones bent, twisted, and knotted on the first staircase attempt. Once tangled, it was nearly impossible to fix.
2. Yo-Yos from the Dollar Store
Mick Haupt on Unsplash
They looked cool in the package but couldn’t survive more than a few tricks. Strings snapped, or the axle jammed before any “Around the World” attempts were complete.
3. Slip ’N Slide Knockoffs
Student Government on Flickr
The official version held up, but the bargain ones tore after a few runs. Kids would slide once, and suddenly, the thin plastic had holes and rips.
4. Paddle Ball Toys
EvelynGiggles on Flickr
The ball-on-a-string toy was fun for about five hits before the string popped off. Some broke even sooner if the ball smacked the paddle edge.
5. Bubble Swords
Neeta Lind on Flickr
Nothing beat the thrill of waving a giant wand through the air, until the flimsy plastic cracked or the bubble liquid spilled immediately. The lids often snapped after one twist.
6. Balsa Wood Glider Planes
Bill Abbott on Flickr
These lightweight planes promised soaring flights but usually snapped on the first rough landing. A single bend in the wing meant the glider’s career was over.
7. Happy Meal Toys with Moving Parts
Ken Lee on Flickr
Fast food toys were exciting until the spring or hinge broke the same day. A tiny car’s wheel fell off, or a flip-arm figurine just stopped flipping.
8. Fake LEGO Sets
Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Off-brand bricks didn’t stick together and often cracked under the slightest pressure. Building anything taller than a few blocks was a gamble.
9. Water Guns from Discount Stores
RoyKabanlit on Wikimedia Commons
Before Super Soakers dominated, cheap squirt guns leaked, jammed, or broke mid-battle. Handles snapped, and streams barely reached a few feet.
10. Sticky Hands and Wall Crawlers
PxHere
Those sticky toys from vending machines were thrilling for about a minute before they picked up dust and stopped sticking. Worse, the stretchy arms would snap if pulled too far.
11. Remote-Control Cars with Weak Antennas
Shingo.a on Wikimedia Commons
The antenna bent or broke the first time it hit a wall, leaving the car useless. Some even lost connection after just a few feet of distance.
12. Plastic Kites from Gas Stations
Aaron Burden on Unsplash
They flew beautifully for about five minutes before the frame snapped in the wind. The thin sticks couldn’t handle a gust, and tangled string sealed their fate.
13. Clip-On Roller Shoes
RawPixel
These strap-on wheels for sneakers were a fad that often ended in disaster. The plastic clips cracked under pressure, and one broken side meant a guaranteed fall.
14. Transforming Knockoff Robots
Gobi on Flickr
They looked like budget Transformers but broke after a single transformation. Arms snapped, legs jammed, and heads popped off mid-play.
15. Pogo Balls
Srd2005 on Wikimedia Commons
These rubber balls with a plastic platform promised endless bouncing but often split or deflated quickly. One small crack, and the toy turned into a wobbly mess.
16. Cheap Foam Swords
Joint Base Lewis McChord on Flickr
Foam swords were supposed to be safe and fun until the foam tore or the plastic core poked out. After one good sword fight, they looked like shredded pool noodles.