20 Popular Toys That Were Actually Invented by Accident
Some of the most iconic toys ever created weren’t the result of careful planning—they were happy accidents.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Many beloved childhood toys exist today because of unexpected mistakes or experiments gone wrong. From flubbed chemistry experiments to failed engineering projects, these mishaps turned into some of the biggest toy sensations in history. Here’s a look at 20 toys that were discovered completely by accident.
1. Play-Doh
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Originally meant to be a wallpaper cleaner, this putty-like substance found new life when kids started molding it into shapes. A teacher discovered its potential as an art material, leading to a rebrand.
2. Silly Putty
Hengsheng120 on Wikimedia Commons
This gooey substance was an unintended byproduct of World War II efforts to create a rubber substitute. While it failed as a rubber replacement, it turned out to be fun to stretch, bounce, and copy newspaper ink.
3. Slinky
Tara Winstead on Pexels
A naval engineer accidentally knocked over a tension spring and watched it “walk” down objects. Fascinated, he refined the design into a metal coil that could descend stairs on its own.
4. Bubble Wrap
La Miko on pexels
Originally designed as textured wallpaper, Bubble Wrap failed to catch on as a home decor trend. Instead, it was used as packaging material before kids discovered the simple joy of popping bubbles.
5. Velcro Dart Boards
Kevin Malik on Pexels
Inspired by burrs sticking to his clothing, a Swiss engineer created Velcro for fastening shoes and clothing. Toy makers later saw the potential for a safer version of traditional dartboards.
6. The Frisbee
Katya Wolf on Pexels
What started as pie tins from the Frisbie Pie Company became iconic flying discs. College students began tossing the tins for fun, and a toy company took notice.
7. Super Glue
charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
A chemist attempting to develop a new plastic for gun sights accidentally created an ultra-sticky adhesive. The formula was too strong for industrial use, but it quickly found a market in household repairs.
8. The Yo-Yo
Thang Cao on Pexels
Though the yo-yo dates back to ancient times, its modern popularity was an accident. A businessman visiting the Philippines saw children playing with a local version and decided to mass-produce it.
9. The Koosh Ball
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
A frustrated dad looking for an easier-to-catch ball for his kids ended up creating the Koosh Ball. Made of thousands of soft rubber strands, it was designed to be easy to grab and throw.
10. Etch A Sketch
Tim Morgan~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons
This magic screen was originally developed as a potential television component. When it failed in the electronics market, the inventor realized its potential as a drawing toy.
11. The Slip ‘N Slide
Vidal Balielo Jr. on Pexels
A dad noticed his kids sliding down a wet driveway and decided to make it safer. He used plastic sheeting and a garden hose to create the first Slip ‘N Slide.
12. The Pool Noodle
KoolShooters on Pexels
These colorful foam tubes were originally meant for insulation. Someone realized they worked great as floating devices, and the idea quickly took off.
13. The Magic 8-Ball
ChristianHeldt on Wikimedia Commons
A fortune-telling device initially designed for adults found unexpected popularity with kids. The original design was a liquid-filled tube used for psychic predictions.
14. The Easy-Bake Oven
JGKlein on Wikimedia Commons
A marketing executive noticed that street vendors were baking food under a lightbulb and had a brilliant idea. The Easy-Bake Oven was born, allowing kids to make mini cakes and cookies using just a small heating element.
15. LEGO
Xavi Cabrera on Unsplash
Originally, LEGO bricks were simple wooden toys, but an accident led to the switch to plastic. A fire destroyed the company’s wood supply, forcing them to experiment with a new material.
16. The Water Balloon
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Invented by accident when a scientist was trying to make waterproof fabric, the first water balloon prototype burst. Instead of being discouraged, he realized the potential for summer fun.
17. The Bouncy Ball
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A chemist experimenting with synthetic rubber accidentally created an ultra-bouncy material. The ball’s unpredictable, high-energy bounce made it an instant hit.
18. The Teddy Bear
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This cuddly toy was inspired by an accidental hunting story. After President Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a captured bear, a toy maker created a stuffed bear in his honor.
19. The Pogo Stick
Elizabeth Chamberlain on Flickr
Originally designed to help people cross muddy terrain, the pogo stick failed as practical transportation. However, kids saw it as a fun way to bounce around instead.
20. Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Bruce Turner on Flickr
Inspired by a malfunctioning industrial machine, the designers realized the potential for a boxing-themed toy. The simple goal—knocking your opponent’s head off—made it an instant classic.