17 Childhood Toys That Were Banned For Being Totally Unsafe

Over the years, some toys that seemed fun or educational were later discovered to have hidden dangers, ultimately leading to their removal from shelves. From toxic chemicals to flammable parts, these retro toys each had a design flaw that posed serious risks to children. Here are 20 infamous toys that were banned for their unexpected hazards.

1. Aqua Dots (2007)

A box for Aqua Dots, a childrens craft toy, features two kids using the product. Text describes it as Colorful Dots to Cool Designs and 2007 Toy of the Year. The toy promises to magically join dots with water and includes a warning.

The Hazard: Toxic ingestion risk
Banned: 2007

Aqua Dots allowed children to create colorful bead art that bonded with just water. However, the beads contained a chemical that converted to a powerful sedative if swallowed, leading to several children falling into comas. After the dangers became clear, Aqua Dots were pulled from stores in 2007.

2. Lawn Darts (Jarts) (1970s–1988)

A set of red and yellow lawn darts is spread out on the grass, with many landing inside a white circular target. The scene is outdoors on a sunny day, with gravel and plants visible in the background.

The Hazard: Blunt-force injuries
Banned: 1988

This popular outdoor game involved throwing heavy, metal-tipped darts. Unfortunately, it often led to injuries when players or bystanders were struck. Following reports of serious injuries and fatalities, Lawn Darts were officially banned in the U.S. in 1988.

3. Easy-Bake Oven (2007)

A teal and white Easy-Bake Oven is displayed on top of its box with packaging. Accompanying items include a yellow oven spatula, a package of standard light bulbs, and an Easy-Bake cookbook. The table is covered with a green tablecloth.

The Hazard: Severe burns and trapping hazard
Banned: 2007 (voluntary recall)

A classic toy, the Easy-Bake Oven, allowed kids to cook miniature treats. But a 2007 model had a design flaw where children’s fingers could get stuck in the oven’s hot interior, leading to severe burns. After numerous incidents, this version was recalled and redesigned.

4. CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit (2007)

Image of a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Fingerprint Examination Kit box. Includes items like a notebook, magnifying glass, test tubes, and crime scene tape, for ages 10 and up. Contains warnings and supervision recommendations.

The Hazard: Asbestos exposure
Banned: 2007

This CSI-themed toy, meant to mimic forensic fingerprint analysis, contained asbestos in its fingerprint dust—a toxic substance known to cause serious respiratory issues. After the hazardous ingredient was revealed, the toy was quickly banned and removed from shelves.

5. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kid (1996)

A doll with curly hair and blue eyes, holding a crinkle-cut fry in its moving mouth. It wears a colorful outfit. A label reads “Feed Me” with a carrot, and the text below says, “My mouth really moves!”.

The Hazard: Hair and finger entrapment
Banned: 1996

This Cabbage Patch doll could “eat” plastic snacks fed to it, but it didn’t stop at pretend food. The doll’s motorized mouth was known to trap children’s fingers or hair, causing painful injuries. After widespread complaints, Mattel recalled the doll in 1996.

6. Sky Dancers (1994)

A Sky Dancers doll named Sea Starr is displayed in its packaging. The box is pink and purple with illustrations of the doll flying. The doll wears a green outfit with pink accents and stands on a green base. Price tag visible.

The Hazard: Eye and facial injuries
Banned: 2000 (recalled)

Sky Dancers were whimsical flying dolls that launched into the air, often unpredictably. Many kids found themselves hit in the face or eyes, resulting in injuries from broken teeth to scratched corneas. After numerous reports, the toy was recalled in 2000.

7. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab (1950s)

Vintage Atomic Energy Lab science kit in an open red case. Includes tools like a Geiger counter, cloud chamber, radioactive samples, and instruction booklet, with colorful packaging featuring a child scientist illustration on the lid.

The Hazard: Radiation exposure
Banned: 1951

One of the most surprising toys on this list, the Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab came with actual radioactive materials for children to experiment with. While the radiation levels were low, the potential risk was serious enough for this toy to be pulled from the market in 1951.

8. Clackers (1970s)

A pair of red acrylic balls attached by a white cord lies on a surface, casting shadows. A gold ring is looped through the cord.

The Hazard: Shattering hazards
Banned: 1976

Clackers, also called “click-clacks,” were two acrylic balls on strings that players swung together. Unfortunately, the acrylic material often shattered on impact, sending sharp fragments flying. The toy was banned in 1976 due to the risk of injury.

9. Magnetix Building Sets (2005)

Colorful magnetic balls cube composed of 216 pieces in black, green, purple, orange, red, and blue. Below, various shapes illustrate possible configurations using the balls. Ball size is 5mm.

The Hazard: Internal injuries from swallowed magnets
Banned: 2007

Magnetix building toys used small, powerful magnets that posed severe risks if swallowed. The magnets could attach inside the digestive tract, leading to life-threatening injuries. After multiple emergency surgeries, the toy was banned in 2007.

10. Yo-Yo Water Ball (2003)

A display box of colorful YoYo Waterballs. The box contains assorted spiky balls in bright colors like pink, green, yellow, blue, orange, and purple. Each ball has a looped string for playing. The text reads YoYo Waterball and Mini Size. — Version 1.0.0

The Hazard: Strangulation hazard
Banned: 2003

This liquid-filled yo-yo toy with a stretchy cord was popular in the early 2000s. However, the elastic string caused strangulation incidents, particularly for young children. Many countries, including the U.S., banned the toy in 2003.

11. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper (1978)

A vintage toy spaceship with a white body, orange and blue stripes, and the number 10 on its wings. The spacecraft is equipped with dual engines at the back, and a small red projectile is positioned below it on a dark fabric surface.

The Hazard: Choking hazard
Banned: 1979

The Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper toy spaceship featured spring-loaded missiles that were a choking risk. After a tragic incident where a child choked on one of the projectiles, the toy was banned in 1979, and stricter projectile safety guidelines were enforced.

12. Toy Guns with Explosive Caps (1950s–1980s)

The image shows two toy revolver cap guns and their packaging. One package is orange with 48 Super Caps, and the other red with 64 Super Caps. Both display images of the caps with circular patterns, and the word Bang in bold letters.

The Hazard: Burns and fire risks
Banned: 1980s

These toy guns used small explosive caps to create realistic firing sounds but frequently caused burns or small fires. As injuries mounted, they were banned in the 1980s, and new safety standards were applied to toy firearms.

13. Rollerblade Barbie (1991)

The Hazard: Fire hazard
Banned: 1993

This Barbie doll came with skates that sparked as she moved, creating a potential fire risk. After incidents of burns and concerns over fire hazards, Rollerblade Barbie was banned in 1993.

14. Sky Rangers Park Flyer Radio-Controlled Airplane (2007)

Box of an Estes Sky Rangers electric radio control park flyer. Features include: push button radio control, self-steering, full RC airplane, 14-inch wingspan. Designed for ages 10 and up, great for limited flying spaces.

The Hazard: Exploding battery packs
Banned: 2007

This radio-controlled airplane had a battery flaw that led to explosions or fires mid-flight. After numerous reports of the toy catching fire, it was banned in 2007, and the manufacturer issued a safety warning.

15. Zhu Zhu Pets (2009)

Four plush toy hamsters in white, gray, yellow, and brown, each with embroidered designs on their backs and pink noses. They are arranged side by side against a white background.

The Hazard: Toxic chemical exposure
Banned: 2009 (recalled)

These electronic hamster toys were found to contain high levels of antimony, a chemical that can cause health issues. After safety concerns were raised, the toys were recalled and effectively banned in 2009.

16. Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Game (2007)

A Disney Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Game tin featuring a smiling girl with long blonde hair, wearing a glittery purple outfit against a blue background. Text bubble says, Its your turn to be in the spotlight!.

The Hazard: Lead exposure
Banned: 2007

This card game featured high lead levels, raising concerns over potential lead poisoning. In 2007, the cards were banned, and retailers quickly removed them from shelves to prevent exposure risks.

17. Moon Shoes (1990s)

Image of Moon Shoes packaging with a pair of black and pink bouncy shoes in front. The box shows a child jumping with excitement, highlighting the tagline Mini Trampolines for Your Feet! and One Size Fits All! on a starry background.

The Hazard: High risk of ankle injuries
Banned: 1990s (recalled)

Marketed as mini trampolines for the feet, Moon Shoes were a hit in the 90s. However, their bouncy nature often led to ankle twists and sprains, prompting many stores to stop carrying them in the 90s due to safety concerns.

Conclusion

These toys, once loved by children, proved to be too dangerous for their own good. Each ban highlights the importance of toy safety regulations, reminding parents and manufacturers alike to prioritize safety. Although these toys have been taken off shelves, they remain memorable examples of why safety comes first.

17 Toys That Were Banned for Being Totally Unsafe