18 Random Objects That Were Somehow Toys
Here's a list of real, often bizarre or unintended objects that became beloved toys across generations.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Children have a talent for turning the most unexpected items into playthings. From rocks and tires to kitchen spoons and novelty erasers, this list reveals how everyday or even odd objects found second lives as toys. These playful examples reflect creativity, nostalgia, and the ever-surprising world of childhood.
1. Pet Rock
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This smooth, ordinary stone was marketed as a low-maintenance pet in the 1970s. It came in a box with air holes and a humorous training manual. Kids named them, talked to them, and even bought accessories.
2. Clackers
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Clackers were two acrylic balls attached to a string that kids swung up and down to make them smack together. They were more weapon than toy, often breaking and sending shards flying. Despite injuries, they became wildly popular in the late 1960s.
3. Pogo Ball
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A Pogo Ball was essentially a rubber ball stuck in a plastic platform that kids stood on and bounced with. It looked like a cross between a flying saucer and an exercise tool. Balance and broken ankles were part of the fun.
4. Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid
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This doll “ate” plastic snacks by pulling them through motorized rollers in its mouth. Unfortunately, it didn’t discriminate between snacks and hair or fingers. The toy was pulled from the shelves after several kids got hurt.
5. Big Mouth Billy Bass
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This wall-mounted animatronic fish became a surprise novelty toy in the early 2000s. Press a button, and it would sing songs like “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Kids loved the goofy movement and catchy tunes, despite it originally being a gag gift.
6. Moon Shoes
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These mini trampolines for your feet were marketed as giving kids the power to “walk on the moon.” Really, they were awkward platforms with elastic bands that made walking difficult. Still, they were a backyard hit in the 1990s.
7. Bottle Caps
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Before safety concerns, kids would collect metal bottle caps and use them like currency or weapons in street games. They could be flipped, stacked, or even thrown. Some kids made entire games based on bottle cap tricks.
8. Cardboard Boxes
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No matter what toy came inside, the cardboard box often became the real star. Kids turned them into forts, cars, or spaceships. The possibilities were endless with just imagination and a few markers.
9. Corn Husk Dolls
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Made from dried corn husks, these simple dolls originated from Native American and pioneer traditions. They lacked faces but carried deep cultural value and charm. Many kids made them by hand as crafts or toys.
10. Wooden Spoons
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Wooden spoons weren’t just kitchen tools, they were also used as makeshift puppets or action figures. With a little paint and fabric, they could be transformed into characters. Some children even held “spoon battles” in the living room.
11. Old Tires
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Old tires became playground staples in rural and urban areas alike. Whether used for rolling races or swinging from trees, they turned scrap into fun. They were heavy, dirty, and dangerous, but kids didn’t care.
12. Marbles
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Originally made of glass or clay, marbles were more of a collector’s item than a toy in some homes. Kids played countless competitive games on the schoolyard with them. The designs and colors made them appealing beyond just play.
13. Slap Bracelets
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Slap bracelets were strips of metal covered in colorful fabric that snapped around your wrist. They were banned in some schools for causing small injuries, but that didn’t stop kids from loving them. They started as a fashion item and turned into a playground obsession.
14. Stretch Armstrong
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This rubbery figure could be pulled, stretched, and twisted to extremes. Inside was a strange, sticky gel that allowed it to return to shape. Kids were mesmerized by the physics-defying toy, even though it felt a bit weird to touch.
15. Soap Box Derby Cars
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These were handmade, gravity-powered race cars often crafted from crates, wheels, and old furniture. Entire neighborhoods would host races. What started as junk turned into speed machines built for glory.
16. Tamagotchi
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Though not a physical object in the traditional sense, this digital pet fit on a keychain and required constant attention. It beeped for food, playtime, and even bathroom breaks. Kids took them to school and cried when they “died.”
17. Pencil Erasers
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Shaped like fruits, animals, or sushi, novelty erasers became collectibles more than tools. Kids traded them at school like currency. Some were scented, making them feel like toys rather than school supplies.
18. Broomsticks
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Long before “Harry Potter” popularized flying on brooms, kids used broomsticks as pretend horses or swords. They made galloping sounds and had imaginary duels. All it took was a handle and imagination to launch epic adventures.