Toys Every Child Had That Are Now Considered Dangerous

Well, folks, gather ’round as we take a stroll down memory lane to an era when safety regulations were more like friendly suggestions. Back in our day, we survived childhood with toys that would make modern parents faint! Let’s revisit some of these beloved “death traps” that somehow made it onto toy store shelves – and into our hearts.

1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)

Ah, Lawn Darts – or “Jarts” as we called them. These foot-long metal spikes with plastic fins were basically miniature javelins that we’d toss toward plastic rings on the ground. The fact that we were literally throwing weighted spears into the air seemed perfectly reasonable at the time. Banned in 1988 after numerous injuries and at least one tragic death, these backyard missiles are now considered one of the most dangerous toys ever sold.

2. Clackers

Remember those two acrylic balls on a string that we’d swing up and down to make that satisfying “clack” sound? What we didn’t know was that these plastic orbs could reach speeds of 250 mph and sometimes shatter into sharp shrapnel. The early versions were made of glass – yes, glass! They were eventually banned after reports of facial injuries and broken bones became too numerous to ignore.

3. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

In 1951, A.C. Gilbert released what might be the most dangerous chemistry set ever made. This educational toy included actual radioactive materials like uranium ore and radium. The set came with a Geiger counter and a government manual on how to prospect for uranium. Thankfully, it only lasted a year on the market, partly due to its hefty $50 price tag (equivalent to about $500 today).

4. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker

The original Thingmaker let us create rubber bugs by pouring “Plastigoop” into metal molds and cooking them in an open-faced electric hot plate that reached temperatures of 350+ degrees. There were no safety locks, no automatic shut-offs, and the metal molds had to be handled with flimsy metal tongs. Third-degree burns were just part of the creative process back then!

5. Sky Dancers

These innocent-looking fairy dolls would launch into the air when you pulled a string, spinning like tiny helicopters. The problem? They were essentially unguided plastic missiles that could take off in any direction, causing eye injuries, scratches, and even temporary blindness. After millions of recalls and numerous injuries, these flying hazards were finally grounded.

6. Mini-Hammocks

These woven rope hammocks were marketed as fun outdoor toys in the 1960s and ’70s, but their loose weave created dangerous gaps that could entangle children. When the ropes stretched, they could form noose-like openings. After multiple fatalities, they were recalled in 1996, proving that sometimes the simplest toys could be the most dangerous.

7. The Johnny Seven O.M.A. Gun

This 1964 toy was essentially seven weapons in one, including a grenade launcher, anti-tank rocket, and anti-bunker missile. The projectiles were hard plastic, and the gun could shoot them with surprising force. While it was every boy’s dream toy, it was also responsible for countless bruises, eye injuries, and broken windows before safety concerns led to its discontinuation.

8. Swing Wing

Introduced in 1965, the Swing Wing was a plastic hoop attached to a helmet that you’d wear on your head. The idea was to swing your head around to make the hoop spin. What could possibly go wrong? Well, besides neck injuries, headaches, and the occasional case of whiplash, it was a perfectly safe way to spend an afternoon!

9. Chemistry Sets with Real Chemicals

Unlike today’s watered-down versions, chemistry sets from the ’60s came with real chemicals that could explode, catch fire, or create toxic gases. The A.C. Gilbert Company’s set included potassium permanganate, ammonium nitrate, and even radioactive materials. These sets could literally blow up your basement – and many did!

10. The Slip ‘N Slide

While still available today, the original Slip ‘N Slide from 1961 was particularly hazardous. The yellow plastic sheet provided little cushioning from hard ground underneath, and teenagers or adults who used it risked serious neck injuries and paralysis. The Consumer Product Safety Commission eventually issued warnings that it was never intended for anyone over 12 years old or 5 feet tall.

11. Easy-Bake Oven

The original 1963 Easy-Bake Oven used a real 100-watt incandescent light bulb as its heat source, reaching temperatures of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The tiny opening made it all too easy for small fingers to get caught and burned. In 2007, one version was recalled after reports of children getting their hands and fingers caught in the oven’s opening, resulting in second and third-degree burns.

12. Moon Shoes

These mini trampolines for your feet promised to let kids bounce like astronauts on the moon. The reality? They were ankle-breaking hazards that strapped to your shoes with flimsy rubber bands. The original 1970s metal versions were particularly dangerous, offering virtually no stability and a good chance of sprains, breaks, and falls. Even the later plastic versions in the ’90s weren’t much safer!

13. The Wham-O Water Wiggle

This 1960s water toy consisted of a long hose with a head that would wildly whip around when water pressure was applied. Marketed as a “crazy new sprinkler toy,” it was recalled in 1978 after a tragic incident where the head separated from the hose and caused a fatality. The powerful water pressure could turn this innocent-looking sprinkler into an unpredictable water weapon.

14. Roller Derby Skates with Metal Wheels

Before polyurethane wheels became standard, we clattered down sidewalks on metal-wheeled skates that attached to our shoes with adjustable metal clips. These death traps had virtually no grip, no brake system, and could easily slip out from under you on any slightly uneven surface. The metal clips were also notorious for failing at high speeds, sending kids tumbling across concrete.

15. Battle Star Space Ships

These Battlestar Galactica toys from 1978 were recalled after just a few months when children began choking on the spring-loaded missiles. Despite the recall, many of us still had these spacecraft with their dangerous projectiles. The missiles could be launched with enough force to cause serious injury, and their small size made them perfect for swallowing.

16. The Flying Spinner

This seemingly innocent toy from the early 1970s consisted of a plastic propeller attached to a cord that you’d wind up and release into the air. The problem? These spinners could reach impressive heights before plummeting back to earth at dangerous speeds, often hitting unsuspecting kids (or adults) below. The sharp edges of the propeller could cause serious cuts and eye injuries.

17. The Snake Toys in a Can

Before modern safety standards, these practical joke toys used actual compressed springs that could release with enough force to cause serious injury. The original versions from the 1960s were particularly dangerous, with metal springs that could snap back and hit you in the face or eyes. Many kids learned the hard way that these “harmless” gag gifts packed quite a punch!