Childhood toys are supposed to be fun and safe, but sometimes they cross the line into dangerous territory. Over the years, certain toys have been pulled from shelves after causing injuries, posing hazards, or sparking public outrage.
These are the toys that earned a spot in the hall of infamy for being too dangerous to stay on the market.
Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Few toys are as infamous as lawn darts. These oversized metal-tipped darts were intended for outdoor fun, but their design turned them into dangerous projectiles. Reports of severe injuries and even deaths led to a widespread ban in 1988.
While some modern versions exist with safer tips, the original lawn darts are a grim reminder of why toy safety standards are so important.
Easy-Bake Oven (Pre-2007 Versions)
For kids who loved cooking, the Easy-Bake Oven was a dream come true, but earlier versions were anything but safe. These mini ovens used actual light bulbs to generate heat, and children frequently burned their fingers or hands while reaching inside. Some models even had parts that could trap small fingers. After multiple reports of injuries, including severe burns, the design was updated in 2007 to include better safety features.
Aqua Dots
At first, Aqua Dots seemed like a harmless craft toy. Children could arrange small, colorful beads into designs that stuck together with water. However, the beads were found to be coated with a chemical that turned into GHB, also known as the “date rape drug,” when ingested.
Several children who swallowed the beads ended up hospitalized with severe symptoms, including respiratory issues. The toy was pulled from shelves in 2007.
Clackers
This toy was a huge craze in the ‘70s. Clackers were made up of two hard acrylic balls attached to a string. Kids swung them in a circular motion, causing the balls to hit each other with a loud “clack.” Unfortunately, the acrylic balls were prone to shattering on impact, sending shards flying in all directions. Eye injuries and cuts became so common that the toy was banned.
Magnetix
Fun? Yes. Safe? No. Magnetix construction toys were a hit with kids who loved building, but the small magnetic pieces could easily come apart, and if swallowed, the magnets could cause blockages or tears in the intestines. These injuries required emergency surgery and, in some cases, led to fatalities.
Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
In the 1950s, this toy allowed kids to play with hazardous materials. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab was marketed as educational, but it contained actual radioactive materials. The kit included uranium ore samples and a Geiger counter, which exposed children to radiation. While the toy was ahead of its time in terms of scientific curiosity, the health risks were undeniable.
It was pulled from shelves after a brief run, but it remains one of the most shocking toys ever sold.
Rollerblade Barbie
The ever-popular Barbie has taken on many forms over the years, but Rollerblade Barbie came with a hidden danger. Her skates sparked as she rolled, which seemed fun at first, but it didn’t take long for kids to discover that the sparks could ignite flammable materials.
Incidents of minor fires and burns led to concerns about the toy’s safety. While Barbie remains iconic, this particular version was pulled.
Yo-Yo Water Balls
These squishy, liquid-filled toys were popular for their stretchy strings, but they posed serious hazards. The strings could easily wrap around a child’s neck, creating a strangulation risk. Plus the liquid inside was flammable, adding another layer of danger. Several injuries and close calls prompted many states to ban Yo-Yo Water Balls outright.
Buckyballs
They were marketed as desk toys for adults, but Buckyballs quickly became a hit with kids, with dangerous consequences. The small magnetic spheres could be arranged into endless designs, but swallowing just two of them could cause severe internal injuries. Magnets could attract inside the body, pinching tissues and causing blockages. After numerous injuries and lawsuits, Buckyballs were banned in 2012.
Fisher-Price Power Wheels
Kids loved Power Wheels because these miniature vehicles felt like they were driving. But some early models had faulty wiring that caused them to overheat and catch fire. Reports of burns and melted components raised alarms among parents.
Fisher-Price recalled several models in the 1990s and updated their safety standards to prevent future issues.
Slip ‘N Slide
A summer staple for decades, Slip ‘N Slides are not without risks. The slides are designed for kids, but when older children or adults use them, the potential for injury skyrockets. The hard landings and sudden stops have caused neck and spinal injuries, some of which were severe.
Safety warnings have since been added to limit usage to small children.
Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
This craft toy allowed kids to make their own rubbery insects by heating plastic in small molds. While the idea was creative, the execution was risky. The heating element could reach temperatures high enough to cause serious burns, and the melted plastic emitted toxic fumes. Despite its popularity, the Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker was eventually discontinued.