Banned Children’s Toys That Would Never Be Allowed Today

Some children’s toys from the past were so dangerous, offensive, or poorly designed that they’d be unthinkable today. From radioactive kits to choking hazards galore, these banned toys show just how far safety standards have come.

1. CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit

This toy was sold in the 2000s. However, it had an 80s-style flair. This kit had asbestos in its fingerprint powder. It was recalled after parents discovered the shocking ingredient.

2. Johnny Reb Cannon

This toy shot hard plastic cannonballs over 30 feet. Nevertheless, when aimed the wrong way, it could do some serious damage.

3. Fisher-Price Power Wheels

These early electric ride-on vehicles had little in the way of speed control or even battery safety. Fires and rollovers weren’t that uncommon.

4. Pogo Balls

This was a ball surrounded by a plastic platform that kids stood on to bounce, until they flew off and probably broke an arm. Some say stability was not its strong suit.

5. Moon Shoes

These mini trampolines strapped to your feet were made for a fun yet hazardous experience. Twisted ankles and falls were guaranteed.

6. Mad Science Kits

These chemistry sets used to include some real chemicals, some of which were flammable or even extremely toxic. Safety gear was optional, and the goggles rarely fit the kids.

7. Stretch Armstrong

Though fun to stretch and twist, the gel inside this interesting toy could leak out and irritate the kids' skin or eyes. Once punctured, it was one sticky mess.

8. Big Wheel Tricycles

These low-riding plastic trikes were fun but pretty invisible to cars in driveways. Lack of visibility and no brakes led to many dangerous driveway accidents.

9. Water Wiggle

This toy was attached to a garden hose and whipped around uncontrollably. It used to cause some facial injuries. It even caused one fatality.

10. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic

Children used a straw to blow a plastic solution into the balloons, and this allowed the release of strong chemical fumes. Inhaling the vapors could cause dizziness or even nausea.

11. Zulu Blowgun

This was a blowgun that used to shoot darts with some needle-like tips. Some parents say that it was like a homemade weapon marketed as a game.

12. Wham-O Air Blaster

This dangerous toy shot powerful bursts of air that could even knock over objects or injure kids at close range.

13. Rocket Firing Boba Fett

This Star Wars figure used to have a spring-loaded rocket and was later removed due to choking concerns. Only prototypes exist, and today they’re worth thousands.

14. Space Hoppers

These giant inflatable balls used to have handles and encouraged wild bouncing. Falls, head injuries, and twisted limbs were part of the "fun".

15. Plastic Sword and Shield Sets

These dangerous toys were often made from sharp-edged plastic that could break easily. Once broken, the jagged pieces were pretty dangerous.

16. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic

This trippy-colored goo allowed kids to blow large plastic bubbles with a straw. Just think bubble gum meets chemical plant. The problem was that the goop released chemical fumes and could cause dizziness, headaches, and even chemical burns. Moreover, it was dangerously flammable.

17. Dip-a-Flower

These kits were supposed to be a wholesome craft project. However, they gave kids a stick, a pool of chemical sludge, and a prayer. You could twist a wire into a flower shape and dip it into the colorful resin, hoping it hardened before the fumes knocked you out.

18. Disc-o-Punch

This toy was basically a plastic gun that fired little frisbee discs across the room at very alarming speeds.

19. Wham-O Slip N’ Slide

These popular water-themed toys were made to look like a blast in commercials, but the reality was a little more dangerous. This popular toy required kids to hurl themselves onto their fronts, usually on very hard ground, and it was discovered that this was dangerous for teens and adults, as spinal injuries could happen.

20. Shrinky Dinks

This toy was a crafty kid’s dream: you could color on thin sheets of plastic, then pop.

21. Lawn Darts or Jarts

These heavy metal darts were thrown high into the air, aiming for ground targets. Unsurprisingly, they caused several injuries and even fatalities before being banned.

22. Clackers

These acrylic balls would smack together at high speeds, often shattering and sending shards flying. Many children ended up with bruises and cuts.

23. Creepy Crawlers ThingMaker

This toy used to let kids pour liquid plastic into hot metal molds to create rubbery bugs. The heating device reached dangerously high temperatures, and that caused severe burns.

24. Battlestar Galactica Missile-Firing Toys

These action figures and ships shot small plastic missiles that posed a serious choking hazard. At least one kid died, which led to a recall and redesign.

25. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

This kit contained small amounts of radioactive materials. It was marketed to kids curious about nuclear science.

26. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kid

These creepy dolls had motorized jaws to eat plastic snacks, but they didn’t know when to stop. Children’s fingers and hair got caught in their mouths.

27. Sky Dancers

These flying fairy dolls could be launch into the air with spinning wings. Nevertheless, the uncontrolled flight often led them crashing into kids' faces and eyes.

28. Easy-Bake Oven

The early models of these toys had exposed heating devices and narrow openings. Kids' fingers were often burned or even trapped inside.

29. Kenner’s Alien Action Figure

Based on the R-rated movie Alien, this toy was far too terrifying and complex for young children. It had sharp teeth and a spring-loaded jaw, making it inappropriate and hazardous.

30. Slap Bracelets

These seemingly harmless fashion statements had a metal strip inside that would break through the fabric. When broken, the sharp metal edge could cut kids.