These old-school toys were fun—but definitely not safe
Let’s face it, childhood in the ’70s and ’80s hit different. Back then, safety labels were more like gentle suggestions, and the thrill of danger? Practically built into the toy. From fire hazards to full-on health risks, some of our favorite childhood playthings would be banned before hitting shelves today. Curious how we ever made it out alive? Wait till you see what used to pass for “fun.”
1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Lawn darts were backyard missiles that gave countless kids a crash course in ER visits. These heavy metal-tipped projectiles were meant for a game similar to horseshoes but with a much higher risk of impalement. By the late ’80s, after numerous serious injuries and even deaths, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned them outright. If you played with these in your yard, consider yourself lucky and probably fast on your feet. Source: CPSC.gov
2. Clackers
Made of two acrylic balls on a string, Clackers seemed innocent until they cracked or cracked something else. Players swung them rapidly to make them smack together, often resulting in shattered plastic or bruised knuckles. These toys were notorious for breaking into sharp pieces mid-swing. Eventually, injuries prompted stricter regulations, and they disappeared from toy aisles. Today, they’d never pass modern safety tests, but back then, they were pure kinetic chaos. Source: 7 Most Dangerous Toys From Your Past
3. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
This toy let kids bake gooey plastic “bugs” in a hot metal mold with no child-proofing whatsoever. The Thingmaker reached temperatures hot enough to fry your fingers. It wasn’t uncommon for kids to suffer burns while making their wiggly creations. While it’s been revamped in safer versions, the original would be a lawsuit magnet today. Still, there was something magical about making your own toxic-smelling plastic insects. Source: Thingmaker from Mattel (1964) | Toy Tales
4. Battlestar Galactica Missile-Firing Toys
Inspired by the popular sci-fi series, these toys came with spring-loaded missiles that kids could actually shoot. The problem? They were small enough to be swallowed. Tragically, a child choked to death in 1978, prompting major toy recalls and stricter regulations on projectile size. It was a hard lesson that changed toy safety standards forever. These days, you’d never find something like this on shelves without major modifications.Source: Boba Fett and Battlestar Galactica – The Firing Missile Crisis
5. Easy-Bake Oven (Original Models)
The original Easy-Bake Oven used a real 100-watt incandescent bulb as a heat source, which sounds fine until you realize how easily it could burn a child’s hand. Kids often reached inside while it was still hot, leading to blisters and worse. By today’s standards, that kind of open-heat design would be a legal nightmare. It’s since been redesigned, but the original definitely lived up to its “hot toy” reputation.
6. Kenner’s Alien Action Figure
This toy was based on the 1979 horror film Alien, a movie that was absolutely not for kids. Yet, here was a 14-inch monster with a terrifying second mouth and a glow-in-the-dark skull being sold to children. Parents were outraged, and it was quickly pulled from shelves. It’s a prime example of how marketing misfires from the past would never slide today, especially one involving nightmare fuel from an R-rated movie.
7. Slap Bracelets
These seemed harmless at first, colorful strips that curled around your wrist with a satisfying snap. But the metal inside was prone to breaking through the fabric, cutting kids in the process. By the early ’90s, many schools banned them entirely. Although still around today in safer forms, the original versions were deceptively sharp. What started as a fun trend turned into a minor fashion hazard almost overnight.
8. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kids
In 1996, Mattel thought it’d be fun to release a Cabbage Patch doll that “ate” plastic food. The problem? It didn’t stop, even if fingers or hair got in the way. Kids got minor injuries, and the dolls had no off switch. After dozens of complaints, it was yanked off the market. It’s a wild reminder that even seemingly sweet toys could be surprisingly aggressive when batteries were involved.
9. Chemistry Sets
Kids in the ’70s and ’80s were basically given entry-level lab kits with real chemicals. Some even included substances now regulated or banned. Sure, they sparked a love for science, but also caused plenty of burns, toxic fumes, and kitchen disasters. Today’s versions are much tamer, often with food-safe ingredients. Back then though, you were basically one misstep away from recreating a science fair explosion in your living room.
10. Fisher-Price Power Wheels (Early Models)
The original Power Wheels looked like a dream come true, mini cars for kids to drive. But without proper speed limits or automatic brakes, they could go a bit too fast, especially downhill. Add in the early battery issues and lack of seat belts, and you had a recipe for neighborhood crashes. While modern Power Wheels are way safer, their first versions were like bumper cars without the bumpers.
11. Cap Guns with Realistic Designs
Cap guns were everywhere, and they looked just like real firearms. In an era with less concern about public safety optics, this wasn’t a big deal. Today, it would cause panic or worse. Many of these toys were later required to have bright orange tips, but the original ones could easily be mistaken for actual weapons. Given current safety concerns, these just wouldn’t cut it anymore.
12. Moon Shoes
Marketed as mini trampolines for your feet, Moon Shoes gave kids the ability to bounce awkwardly across the pavement. That also meant sprained ankles, twisted knees, and a lot of bruises. They looked fun in commercials but proved dangerous in reality. No modern toy manufacturer would risk the liability that came with giving children unstable spring-loaded footwear. Still, they had a weirdly irresistible charm.
13. Toy Guns That Fired BB Pellets
Before Nerf, there were toy guns that shot hard plastic or metal BBs. These weren’t toys in the innocent sense, they hurt. Eye injuries were common, and protective gear was rarely included or even suggested. Eventually, safety regulations cracked down, replacing them with foam alternatives. But if you played war with these as a kid, you probably remember the sting. Today, they’d be filed under “absolutely not.”
Remember a toy that felt a little too risky back in the day? Share your throwback toy tales in the comments. Which one of these do you remember most and did it leave a scar or just a wild story? Let’s get nostalgic together.
