1. Easy-Bake Oven
Wikimedia Commons
The Easy-Bake Oven may seem harmless at first glance—what’s dangerous about baking tiny cakes? Well, this toy introduced kids to the joys of cooking by using a light bulb that could get scorching hot. Curious little hands often ended up with burns, and the plastic parts could melt under the heat. Not to mention, the treats it cooked weren’t exactly gourmet. Still, there was something magical about making your own mini cake—even if it came with a side of risk. For many kids, their first “recipe” also came with their first lesson in fire safety.
2. Jarts (Lawn Darts)
YouTube
Who thought giving kids oversized, weighted darts to hurl around the yard was a good idea? Jarts were marketed as fun for the whole family, but they were essentially metal-tipped missiles. One wrong throw and someone could be heading to the ER—or worse. The Consumer Product Safety Commission eventually banned them in 1988 after numerous injuries and a few tragic fatalities. If you grew up with these, you likely remember the unspoken rule: Don’t aim at people. Yet accidents happened, leaving many of us to wonder how we ever made it through an afternoon barbecue unscathed.
3. Clackers
YouTube
Remember Clackers? Two acrylic balls on a string that kids swung up and down to smash together. These “toys” were supposed to create a rhythmic clacking sound, but they often turned into projectile weapons. If you weren’t smashing your knuckles, you were dodging shattered plastic pieces that could fly like shrapnel. It’s amazing they were ever marketed to children. Today, they seem more like a training tool for gladiators than a toy for kids. If you’ve got a scar from Clackers, consider it a badge of survival from one of the most dangerous toy trends of the decade.
4. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
Flickr
Who doesn’t love making slimy, wiggly creatures? The Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker let kids pour liquid plastic into metal molds and bake them into rubbery bugs. The catch? The toy required a literal open hotplate to work. Kids were handling liquid plastic heated to dangerous temperatures without any real safety precautions. Burns were common, as was the occasional smoke-filled room from a baking mishap. While the toy sparked creativity, it also brought a new level of danger to crafting time. If you managed to avoid a trip to the hospital, you probably ended up with some truly gnarly bugs.
5. Shrinky Dinks
Flickr
Shrinky Dinks were sheets of plastic that kids could color, cut out, and bake in the oven to shrink into tiny, hardened versions of their creations. Sounds innocent, right? Not so much. The baking process released fumes that were anything but safe to breathe in, especially if done in an unventilated space. Plus, any contact with the oven or freshly baked plastic risked burns. For all the fun of creating keychains or jewelry, the toy was a bit of a chemical hazard. Still, who didn’t love watching their art transform in the oven, even if it came at a cost?
6. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
YouTube
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a unique way to blow bubbles—using a tube of goo and a straw. The plastic-like material produced giant, colorful bubbles that were nearly indestructible. Unfortunately, the goo was full of chemicals like polyvinyl acetate and potentially toxic fumes. Kids often inhaled these chemicals while trying to inflate their creations. Some even tried biting the straw for extra grip, exposing their mouths to the hazardous material. While the bubbles were fun, the risks were anything but playful. If you remember the smell of that plastic goo, you survived a chemical-laden childhood experiment.
7. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Launcher
YouTube
Inspired by the hit TV show, this toy featured a Colonial Viper spaceship that launched tiny plastic missiles. The problem? Those missiles were choking hazards. Tragically, at least one child died after swallowing one, leading to a massive recall and stricter safety standards. Kids loved the action-packed fun, but the risks turned this toy into a cautionary tale. If you had one, you probably remember playing with it carefully—or being told to throw it away. It’s a stark reminder of how far toy safety regulations have come.
8. Johnny Reb Cannon
YouTube
This toy cannon allowed kids to “fire” hard plastic cannonballs across the yard. The Johnny Reb Cannon was marketed as a fun historical playset, but it essentially gave kids the power to shoot mini projectiles at high speeds. Eye injuries and broken windows were just part of the fun. Despite its hazards, the cannon was wildly popular among aspiring young generals. If you managed to avoid hitting your sibling—or yourself—you probably still remember the satisfying thunk of launching those cannonballs. It’s a miracle this one didn’t cause more serious injuries.
9. Baby Laugh-a-Lot
Flickr
Baby Laugh-a-Lot was supposed to be a cheerful doll that giggled endlessly when turned on. But in reality, its shrill, maniacal laugh often left kids unnerved and parents reaching for the off switch. Beyond the unsettling sound, its mechanical parts could overheat, and some kids reported getting fingers caught in the moving jaw. It wasn’t physically dangerous like lawn darts or chemistry sets, but it certainly caused emotional trauma for some. If you owned one, you probably have vivid memories of its haunting laugh echoing in your nightmares—or a quick trip to the trash bin to make it stop.
10. The Fisher-Price Roller Skates
PxHere
These “beginner-friendly” skates were adjustable, colorful, and seemingly harmless, but they turned sidewalks into a gauntlet. With no brakes and questionable ankle support, spills were inevitable. Helmets and pads weren’t as common in the ’70s, so a tumble often meant scraped knees, bruises, or worse. Add in uneven pavement, and these skates became tiny death traps for little daredevils. If you learned to skate in these, you probably earned a few battle scars along the way. Somehow, the thrill of gliding outweighed the risk of wiping out—though parents might have had a different opinion after a trip to the ER.
11. Slip ‘N Slide
Flickr
The Slip ‘N Slide turned backyards into water parks, but they were deceptively dangerous. The plastic sheet offered a high-speed ride fueled by running water, but stopping was an issue. Kids frequently slammed into the ground, collided with each other, or skidded off onto rocks and grass. Older children and teens, who were too heavy for the slide’s design, risked serious injuries like neck and spine damage. Despite the risks, the Slip ‘N Slide was a summertime favorite. If you were lucky enough to escape unscathed, you probably remember the exhilaration of that perfect belly flop.
12. Magnetic Building Sets
Flickr
Building sets with small, powerful magnets were a creative kid’s dream but also a medical nightmare waiting to happen. The tiny magnets could easily come loose and be swallowed by curious children. If more than one was ingested, the magnets could attract each other inside the intestines, causing life-threatening injuries. Parents were often unaware of the danger until it was too late. While the sets encouraged imaginative play, the risks far outweighed the benefits. If you had one, you likely remember being warned—or finding out the hard way—not to put the pieces anywhere near your mouth.
13. Chemistry Sets
Flickr
’70s chemistry sets weren’t your modern, safety-tested kits. They often came with real chemicals, some of which were corrosive, flammable, or toxic. Without gloves or goggles, kids conducted experiments that could result in burns, explosions, or chemical spills. Mixing random substances was half the fun, but it could quickly turn dangerous. Parents often had no idea what their little scientists were cooking up in the garage. If you survived playing with one, you probably walked away with both a love of science and a healthy respect for safety precautions—plus maybe a story about a fire that got out of hand.
