Old toys can give us so many memories when we look back. Many of these toys were enjoyable but later identified to be dangerous. Some of them were just accidents waiting to happen. A few of these toys were banned since they harmed kids or had hidden dangers.
In this list, we take a look back at ten vintage toys that were banned.
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Easy-Bake Oven (Original Model)
The Easy-Bake Oven was a toy that every kid wanted. It was a kit that let children bake small cakes using just a light bulb. Kids would get their fingers stuck in the oven or burn them on the hot light bulb. Some kids had serious burns. After a number of complaints, the oven was banned and later redesigned to make it safer.
Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid
Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid was a doll that “ate” plastic food. You would put the food in and it would move its motorized jaw, as if chewing. But it just could not know where to stop! The doll began to “eat” more than food. Kids’ fingers and hair often got stuck in the doll’s mouth. Parents were terrified. And the toy was soon recalled and banned.
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Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Lawn darts used to be a popular outdoor game in the 1970s and ’80s. The darts were meant to be thrown onto the ground. They were heavy and had a sharp metal tip. This caused serious injuries and deaths. After too many accidents, they were banned in the late 1980s.
Sky Dancers
Sky Dancers were flying fairy dolls that took to the sky when you tugged on a string. But these toys flew in random directions and often hit kids in the face or body. Many children suffered injuries like cuts, broken teeth, and even concussions. The toy was banned in the early 2000s (after thousands of complaints).
Atomic Energy Lab
The Atomic Energy Lab was this science kit from the 1950s that taught kids how to harness nuclear energy. It contained real radioactive materials. Back in those days, people had not yet fully realized just how dangerous radiation truly is. As the carcinogenic risks of radiation were discovered, the toy was eventually banned. It is now considered one of the most dangerous toys ever sold.
Creepy Crawlers
With Creepy Crawlers, kids could pour liquid plastic into a heated mold to create rubbery bugs. The toy was a hit with kids, but it had a big issue. They were heated with metal plates that could reach very high temperatures. These heated plates could burn children. Because of this safety concern, the toy was recalled and redesigned.
Clackers
Clackers were these basic toys with two acrylic balls on strings. Kids swung them up and down and the balls would hit each other while making a loud “clack” sound. But they had a nasty little habit of shattering on impact with another ball if hit hard enough. This caused shards of plastic to fly around, causing damage. Many children were injured with this toy and it was banned in the 1970s.
Aqua Dots
Aqua Dots was a crafting kit for kids that let them design beads together. They could spray the craft with water to make the beads become one piece. However, it was later discovered that the beads were covered in a toxic chemical. It led to severe health issues like seizures and comas if swallowed. The toy was then banned across the world after children began to fall ill.
Magnetix
Magnetix was a building toy that used little, powerful magnets to create structures. Even if it was just for fun, the tiny magnets could be extremely dangerous if swallowed. When more than one magnet was swallowed, they could bunch up in the body and ultimately cause damage to the intestine. As many children needed surgery after swallowing the magnets, the toy was removed from sale.
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