Over the years, there have been some questionable, dangerous, and just plain weird children toys to appear on the market. Even if it was kinda fun playing with them, it’s probably good news that these 20 toys won’t be seen by anybody anymore. Here’s the bottom of the barrel when it comes to playtime.
Over the years, there have been some questionable, dangerous, and just plain weird children toys to appear on the market. Even if it was kinda fun playing with them, it’s probably good news that these 20 toys won’t be seen by anybody anymore. Here’s the bottom of the barrel when it comes to playtime.
It seems like the 1950s were a wild time for toy companies. Most kids like using pretend pistols, but what about a pistol that shoots out fireballs? The Austin Magic Pistol was designed to pong balls by mixing carbide with water, which then created a fiery explosion.
It seems like the 1950s were a wild time for toy companies. Most kids like using pretend pistols, but what about a pistol that shoots out fireballs? The Austin Magic Pistol was designed to pong balls by mixing carbide with water, which then created a fiery explosion.
Moon Shoes have been around since the 1950s, but throughout time, Moon Shoes have changed their style. Considering the plastic around this version of Moon Shoes, they were a lot safer than the metal spring Moon Shoes from the 50s. Sadly, it still didn’t stop kids from breaking their ankles, soon leading to the banning of Moon Shoes.
Moon Shoes have been around since the 1950s, but throughout time, Moon Shoes have changed their style. Considering the plastic around this version of Moon Shoes, they were a lot safer than the metal spring Moon Shoes from the 50s. Sadly, it still didn’t stop kids from breaking their ankles, soon leading to the banning of Moon Shoes.
The Cabbage Patch dolls were insanely popular during the 80s and 90s. So popular that there was even a “Cabbage Patch Riot” in 1983; think about any Black Friday ever — similar to that. One particular version of the doll was a little too violent. The Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid edition were popular, it was activated by feeding the cabbage patch and had no off switch, still doesn’t sound too scary. Parents and kids soon realized the doll couldn’t tell the difference between plastic food, tiny human fingers, and hair! The dolls were eventually pulled from the shelves, but after the Christmas season, of course.
The Cabbage Patch dolls were insanely popular during the 80s and 90s. So popular that there was even a “Cabbage Patch Riot” in 1983; think about any Black Friday ever — similar to that. One particular version of the doll was a little too violent. The Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid edition were popular, it was activated by feeding the cabbage patch and had no off switch, still doesn’t sound too scary. Parents and kids soon realized the doll couldn’t tell the difference between plastic food, tiny human fingers, and hair! The dolls were eventually pulled from the shelves, but after the Christmas season, of course.
Either the people working for A.C. Gilbert Toy Company were really reckless or they desperately did want kids to learn more about science. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was a radioactive science kit, the kit included a Geiger-Mueller radiation counter, a Wilson cloud chamber, a spinthariscope, four samples of Uranium-bearing ores, and an electroscope to measure radioactivity. Besides the fact that radiation poisoning could have been a possibility, all this was available for $49.50, which would be about $400 in today’s dollars.
Either the people working for A.C. Gilbert Toy Company were really reckless or they desperately did want kids to learn more about science. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was a radioactive science kit, the kit included a Geiger-Mueller radiation counter, a Wilson cloud chamber, a spinthariscope, four samples of Uranium-bearing ores, and an electroscope to measure radioactivity. Besides the fact that radiation poisoning could have been a possibility, all this was available for $49.50, which would be about $400 in today’s dollars.
Asbestos is a known cause of cancer, and in 2007 CSI: Investigation Forensics Lab Kit, was found with more than 5% of asbestos. In November, concerns were being raised on the popular toy set, but CBS Consumer Products, decided to leave the toys on the shelves until the Christmas run. Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization filed a civil action to stop the sales of the kit.
Asbestos is a known cause of cancer, and in 2007 CSI: Investigation Forensics Lab Kit, was found with more than 5% of asbestos. In November, concerns were being raised on the popular toy set, but CBS Consumer Products, decided to leave the toys on the shelves until the Christmas run. Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization filed a civil action to stop the sales of the kit.
If you thought darts were dangerous, than you’ve never played Lawn Darts. The name alone sounds like it’s a terrible idea already. The point of the game was to pierce the lawn, similarly to horseshoes, but not as safe. Once children got a hold of them, they began to use them for a whole different purpose. After a total injury of 6,100 and the death of at least four children, lawn darts were banned by the CPSC.
If you thought darts were dangerous, than you’ve never played Lawn Darts. The name alone sounds like it’s a terrible idea already. The point of the game was to pierce the lawn, similarly to horseshoes, but not as safe. Once children got a hold of them, they began to use them for a whole different purpose. After a total injury of 6,100 and the death of at least four children, lawn darts were banned by the CPSC.
The Thing Maker may have came with a price, but breathing in deadly fumes, burning the flesh off your hands, painful blisters, and giving someone a good scare, was priceless. The Thing Maker made its first appearance in 1964, wowing kids with its creativity, colors, and of course, bugs. Kids would plug the gadget into the wall and wait until it heated up to 300 degrees before pouring the “plasti-goop” in. The problem? Kids wouldn’t wait until the hot plate cooled down before taking their creepy crawler out; resulting in many painful burns and blisters.
The Thing Maker may have came with a price, but breathing in deadly fumes, burning the flesh off your hands, painful blisters, and giving someone a good scare, was priceless. The Thing Maker made its first appearance in 1964, wowing kids with its creativity, colors, and of course, bugs. Kids would plug the gadget into the wall and wait until it heated up to 300 degrees before pouring the “plasti-goop” in. The problem? Kids wouldn’t wait until the hot plate cooled down before taking their creepy crawler out; resulting in many painful burns and blisters.
Aqua Dots became 2007’s most popular toy, it seemed fun, innocent, and kids really enjoyed it, what could go wrong? When kids began swallowing the colorful beads, some began throwing up, experiencing seizures, while others, were lapsing into comas. Scientist soon discovered the glue-contained chemicals of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, otherwise known as the date rape drug. Toy companies blamed Chinese subcontractors, but eventually 4.2 million Aqua Dot kits had to be recalled.
Aqua Dots became 2007’s most popular toy, it seemed fun, innocent, and kids really enjoyed it, what could go wrong? When kids began swallowing the colorful beads, some began throwing up, experiencing seizures, while others, were lapsing into comas. Scientist soon discovered the glue-contained chemicals of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, otherwise known as the date rape drug. Toy companies blamed Chinese subcontractors, but eventually 4.2 million Aqua Dot kits had to be recalled.
If you were kids during the 1960s or 1970s, chances are, you were playing with Clackers. Clackers were a popular children toy and were safe, until you swung the clackers too hard and the acrylic balls would shatter, sending flying shrapnel everywhere. In 1985, Clackers were banned, but during the 1990s, clackers came back with a new style, appearing safer to use for children.
If you were kids during the 1960s or 1970s, chances are, you were playing with Clackers. Clackers were a popular children toy and were safe, until you swung the clackers too hard and the acrylic balls would shatter, sending flying shrapnel everywhere. In 1985, Clackers were banned, but during the 1990s, clackers came back with a new style, appearing safer to use for children.
Usually with remote control airplanes the worry is about, flying it into someone’s head, into your neighbors window, or even upsetting the elderly. The Sky Ranger Park Flyer came with a different worry and took it to new heights. Sometimes, the plane would unexpectedly catch fire in the sky, or if the plane hit something, it would then blow up without any warning. This resulted in ear damage, burns, and shrapnel injuries. Doesn’t sound like too much fun.
Usually with remote control airplanes the worry is about, flying it into someone’s head, into your neighbors window, or even upsetting the elderly. The Sky Ranger Park Flyer came with a different worry and took it to new heights. Sometimes, the plane would unexpectedly catch fire in the sky, or if the plane hit something, it would then blow up without any warning. This resulted in ear damage, burns, and shrapnel injuries. Doesn’t sound like too much fun.
Children have a tendency to keep their hands busy. In 2004, Magnetix came out with a creative way for children to do just that. Sadly, the magnets would easily come off from the plastic it was attached to, making it easy for toddlers to swallow the magnets. The magnets were so powerful, if swallowed they would still attract each other inside the body, causing serious health problems. In 2006 Magnetix’s were recalled, after 30 more kids were injured and after the death of 22-month-old Kenny Sweet.
Children have a tendency to keep their hands busy. In 2004, Magnetix came out with a creative way for children to do just that. Sadly, the magnets would easily come off from the plastic it was attached to, making it easy for toddlers to swallow the magnets. The magnets were so powerful, if swallowed they would still attract each other inside the body, causing serious health problems. In 2006 Magnetix’s were recalled, after 30 more kids were injured and after the death of 22-month-old Kenny Sweet.
If you were born in the 1960s and have chronic neck pain today, lets hope it’s not from the Swing Wing. The Swing Wing came to play after the hula-hoop craze, Transogram Games decided to make a hula-hoop for your head. Since its release in 1965, the Swing Wing has received much notoriety, simply for being a terrible children’s toy.
If you were born in the 1960s and have chronic neck pain today, lets hope it’s not from the Swing Wing. The Swing Wing came to play after the hula-hoop craze, Transogram Games decided to make a hula-hoop for your head. Since its release in 1965, the Swing Wing has received much notoriety, simply for being a terrible children’s toy.
Sixfinger is a toy you’re less likely to see around, a plastic finger that shoots missiles, writes, and lets you shoot cap bombs. It may have been small, but the Sixfinger packed some serious firepower to make up for its small size.
Sixfinger is a toy you’re less likely to see around, a plastic finger that shoots missiles, writes, and lets you shoot cap bombs. It may have been small, but the Sixfinger packed some serious firepower to make up for its small size.
The Little Lady Stove sounds like a really innocent, cute oven set up for kids to bake tiny treats in. The problem with this 1960s children’s toy is, that the temperature would reach 600 degrees, and real ovens automatically shut off at 500 degrees. Because children were handling this much heat, incidents did happen. Why would a children’s toy need to reach 600 degrees for anything?
The Little Lady Stove sounds like a really innocent, cute oven set up for kids to bake tiny treats in. The problem with this 1960s children’s toy is, that the temperature would reach 600 degrees, and real ovens automatically shut off at 500 degrees. Because children were handling this much heat, incidents did happen. Why would a children’s toy need to reach 600 degrees for anything?