20 Toys That Were Banned from Our Childhood Wishlist

Childhood toys were created to bring joy, but sometimes, they ignited lawsuits, injuries, and even complete bans instead. From radioactive science kits to dolls that chewed on more than just plastic food, these infamous playthings took innocent fun and turned it into wild hazards. Here is a nostalgic and humorous list of 20 of the most dangerous toys from our childhoods, which left parents baffled and kids (occasionally) in the ER.

1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)

RetroVibzz from eBay

These metal-tipped missiles were a staple of every backyard—until they started impaling people. With over 6,000 reported injuries, they were banned in 1988, etching themselves into the record books of toy history. It’s almost as if this was what would happen if medieval weapons and family fun crossed paths.

2. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll

JP Shoppe from eBay

This “hungry” doll didn’t stop at plastic french fries—it started munching on kids’ hair and fingers. Its motorized mouth had no off-switch, turning playtime into a horror movie. The concept of “feed your doll” took a terrifyingly literal twist.

3. Sky Dancers

CastleDeOmaCollections from eBay

These fairy-like flying toys seemed magical—until they started dive-bombing kids’ faces. With over 150 reported injuries, they were recalled for their kamikaze tendencies. Who knew enchanting flight could result in black eyes and chipped teeth?

4. Aqua Dots

Feel Camera from eBay

Harmless-looking beads that became a gateway to trips you didn’t plan for. When the child swallowed them, they metabolized into the date-rape drug GHB and sent kids to the emergency room. The lesson here? Even arts-and-crafts may be hazardous to your health.

5. CSI Fingerprint Kit

Piece of Time from eBay

It promised to make kids feel detectives, but there was a catch—real asbestos powder. Exposure to this cancer-causing substance turned sleuthing into a potential death sentence. Ironically, it made kids part of a crime scene.

6. Magnetix Building Set

Amsinger Vintage Resale from eBay

A magnet-filled construction kit that doubled as a digestive hazard. If swallowed, the magnets could link up inside your intestines, causing severe internal damage. Building extraordinary structures wasn’t worth a trip to the operating room.

7. Easy-Bake Oven (2007 Edition)

Pippin’s Pallisade from eBay

This classic toy became an unintended trap, with kids sticking their fingers in its fiery chamber. Over 250 burn injuries and one finger amputation later, the model was recalled. Baking brownies never felt so high-stakes.

8. Clackers

qiuwu_dance from eBay

Two hard acrylic balls on a string that you clacked together until they shattered—or bruised your wrist. These 1970s toys often exploded into sharp shards, creating a hazard worthy of a ninja movie. The noise alone should’ve been banned.  

9. Yo-Yo Water Balls

serendipity_mart from eBay

These soft, liquid-filled toys became strangulation hazards due to their stretchy cords. Several near-suffocation incidents led to their ban in multiple states. Once again, this proves that the more fun a toy looks, the more danger it hides.

10. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

Retro Girl 82 from eBay

Nothing says “fun” like a DIY nuclear kit for kids. Sold in the 1950s, it contained accurate radioactive material, including uranium. Today, it’s a collector’s item and a jaw-dropping example of vintage parenting choices.

11. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper

weliketoplay from eBay

This spaceship toy featured a spring-loaded missile that kids loved to swallow. After one tragic death, Mattel revamped toy safety standards industry-wide. Space exploration was fun—choking hazards, less so.

12. Slip ‘N Slide (Pre-Regulation)

jogeko1996 from eBay

These backyard slides proved to be more of a spinal-crunching adventure for older kids and adults. Several serious neck injuries and paralysis cases led to stricter safety measures. Water slides shouldn’t double as chiropractor visits.

13. Rollerblade Barbie

R Dolls from eBay

What’s better than Barbie on Wheels? A doll that shoots real sparks from her skates. Unfortunately, this fiery feature also set carpets—and occasionally fingers—on fire.  

14. Sky Rangers Park Flyer Radio-Controlled Airplane

audioemporium from eBay

These battery-powered planes had an explosive twist: their lithium batteries often burst into flames mid-flight. Flying the friendly skies turned out to be a fire hazard. If you wanted to learn about combustion, this toy had you covered.

15. Yo-Yo Bolo Ball

JakerJaz from eBay

A rubber ball attached to a stretchy cord that would inevitably wrap around your head or neck. This “harmless” toy caused whiplash, bruises, and more than a few tears. Yo-yo skills didn’t matter when the toy fought back.

16. Sit ‘N Spin (Original Version)

Plush Candy from eBay

Although intended to provide dizziness with fun, the toy often injured wrists and caused flying toddlers to hurt themselves. Kids spun too fast, flew off, or broke the toy altogether. It was a merry-go-round without safety precautions.

17. Zulu Blowgun Darts

The College Funds from eBay

A toy that allowed kids to practice their blow-darting skills until they inhaled the darts instead of blowing them out led to skyrocketing ER visits due to lodged darts in throats and lungs. Nothing screams “dangerous” like a game of pretend tribal warfare gone wrong.

18. Skip-It (With Counter)

Radically Awesome Wares from eBay

This ankle-hula-hoop toy often became an ankle-wrecker. Enthusiastic skipping led to bruises, sprains, and many frustrated kids. Bonus: the built-in counter was wildly inaccurate, so you didn’t know how often you failed.

19. Power Wheels Motorcycle (1996)

ArtistHand from eBay

This ride-on toy came with a glitch: it wouldn’t stop accelerating. Kids either careened into walls or learned an early lesson in high-speed wipeouts. Fun, yes—until the lawsuit-worthy crashes.

20. Moon Shoes

usa*stores from eBay

They were marketed as “mini trampolines for your feet, " turning every kid into a walking safety hazard. Broken ankles, scraped knees, and more faceplants than a clown college became the norm. Let’s say moonwalking wasn’t as graceful as Michael Jackson promised.

• Tags:
• Childhood
• nostalgia
• toys