The Most Shocking Childhood Toys That Are Now Banned

1. CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit

Image Source / PinterestReleased in 2007, this fingerprint examination kit had great potential. The idea of becoming a crime-scene investigator and taking fingerprint samples is pretty cool to an adult, let alone a child. However, an urgent recall was made after the discovery that the kit’s powder contained 5% asbestos! Thankfully, no children were harmed as a result of the powder.

2. Rollerblade Barbie

Image Source / PinterestBarbie has had many hobbies over the years - from surfing to mountain biking and everything in between. In this 90s version, Barbie was a rollerblading pro with lightning fast skates. Literally… her skates had a cigarette-style mechanism inside which was designed to create sparks as she rolled along. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out why this one was banned...

3. Crossbows for kids

Image Source / CoolshopThere’s something about flinging sharp objects over great distances at super speed that’s just irresistible to kids. As such, launcher-style products continue to be manufactured all over the world, despite the obvious risks. Recently, children in China were getting injured after a new crossbow toy that used toothpicks could pierce a can over 18m away! Safe to say not all the toothpicks landed in the cans… It’s not just China where these dangerous toys are made - in 2017, well-known brand NERF was questioned over its Nerf Zombie Strike Dreadbolt Crossbow. Adverts of the product show a much older boy using the bow but let’s be honest, put these deadly ‘toys’ in the hands of younger kids and it’s a recipe for disaster.

4. Libra Frog Intelligence Game

Image Source / AmazonThis game seems innocent enough - a cute frog with little pieces to support kids learn to count. Hmm, did you spot the red-flag word that led to this product being recalled? That’s right - small pieces aka choking hazards. Toys have to be made to specific regulations to prevent children from choking on them and this game broke those laws. Plus, the actual packaging the pieces came in was also too big and could have caused suffocation if placed over the head of a youngster.

5. Atomic Laboratory Kits

Image Source / thebulletin.orgJust like the forensic finger-printing kit before, this lab kit from the 60s was an early hit with budding young scientists. Back in the 60s laws on what could be in kids toys were only just developing but it’s still pretty shocking that this kit was allowed to be sold. Why? It contained four different types of the radioactive substance uranium ore. Eek!

6. Princess-J Cartoon Magnetic Fashion Stud Earrings

Image Source / AmazonSee if you can work out what the hazard is with this product: small, magnetic earrings for kids. Got it? It’s the small size combined with the magnet that saw this product being recalled. Ingesting magnets is never a good idea and of all the small items a child could potentially swallow, a magnet is one of the worst. Why? Well, if you swallow both parts of a magnet the magnetic force remains and the pieces can tear through your gastrointestinal tract. It’s a medical emergency and can even lead to death.

7. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Doll

Image Source / Brooks Kraft, Sygma, CorbisCabbage Patch Dolls are an iconic toy of the 80s. Their famous chubby cheeks and cute, string hair made them irresistible. This version of the popular toy allowed kids to feed the dolls mini carrots and french fries. Cute, huh? Not so much - the mechanical jaws that snapped into place to chomp down on the food were way too powerful and snapped their way through hair and even fingers! Makers Mattel recalled the doll and offered a $40 pay back to the 500,000+ owners of this snapping toy.

8. Fidget Spinners

Image Source / EducationWeekAh, this 2017 favourite was a pain for teachers and parents alike. Spinning disks that could be cleverly balanced on your finger were owned by pretty-much every kid the world-over. They were even branded a solution for kids with ADHD as it gave them something to fidget with (hence the name). As with all hugely popular products, knock-offs were quickly produced and never to a high quality. Some parts of these poorly made gizmos flew off (and at great speed!) Thank god these lost their popularity as quickly as they gained it.

9. Easy-Bake Oven

Image Source / AmazonIn 2006, toy giant Hasbro released a new product for any budding bakers - the ‘Easy-Bake Oven’. With the rise of shows like Bake Off, it’s easy to see the appeal of this cute mini-cooker. However, after reports of nearly 30 children getting their hands and fingers stuck in the door, along with 5 reports of serious burn injuries the oven was redesigned. This didn’t help though - despite the new design, complaints continued and after one girl had to have her finger amputated following an injury, Hasbro recalled a whopping 985,000 Easy-Bake Ovens.

10. Aqua Dots

Image Source / GrungeThese small beads were pretty clever, in theory. You arranged them into cute patterns and then sprayed them with water, causing the beads to stick together and create a permanent picture. What’s not to love? Well, shockingly, the beads contained the chemical GHB which is known as the date rape drug! Three poor children swallowed the toxic beads, leading to them going into a coma. Of course the kits were recalled after this - all 4.2 million of them.

11. Barbie and Tanner

Image Source / YoutubeIn this 2007 Barbie edition, Barbie came accompanied by her pet dog, Tanner. Tanner the pooch could each and even poop! The problem wasn’t with the dog but with the scooper accessory used to pick up Tanner’s business. The magnet on the scooper came loose and, just like the earrings, could cause serious internal injuries if swallowed. Safe to say, Barbie and Tanner were recalled.

12. Mini Hammocks

Image Source / GosocialThese kid-sized versions of the adult favourite were a hit in the 90s. That was until almost 3 
million were recalled in 1996 following the death of 12 children. Most hammocks have ‘spreader bars’ - wooden or plastic poles at either end which help to keep the hammock’ shape and stop it from twisting. But many of these kid versions were not built to such high standards and horrifyingly, as kids went to get out of the hammock, the netted material coiled around their necks, causing them to choke to death.

13. Hoverboards

Image Source / CNETThese were a recent phenomenon and whether you were a pro glider or leg wobbler, the horror stories of hoverboards bursting into flames were everywhere. The mega batteries needed overnight charging which meant many were left plugged in overnight. Tales of electrical faults and even burns were everywhere and very sadly one 3-year-old from Pennsylvania actually died after the hoverboard caused a house fire.

14.  Polly Pockets With Quik Clik

Image Source / BonanzaLike Barbies, Polly Pockets were the toy to have for any 90s or 00s kid. This ‘Quik Clik’ version was recalled in 2004 after the magnets used to quickly fasten the clothes became loose and, well you know the risk of magnets by now! You’d think these toy manufacturers would stop putting magnets in everything, given the number of product recalls they seem to have.

15. Lawn Darts

Image Source / WikipediaThese ‘Lawn Darts’ were popular back in the 70s and 80s. They were basically weighted spikes that you could throw to a friend. Kind of like a frisbee but quicker, sharper and more dangerous! An astonishing 6000 kids ended up in hospital with injuries from the ‘jarts’ with 3 fatalities. These lethal darts were recalled and finally banned once and for all in 1988.

16. Captain America Civil War Dancing Toy Robot

Image Source / FruugoThis toy is fairly innocent looking but when put through its paces, all that dancing led to it getting really rather hot! In addition to Captain America becoming too steamy, he failed the ‘drop test’ - a test where, you guessed it, the toy is dropped to assess how it stands up to the general handling of a 5 year old. Shattering into pieces (or getting burning hot) isn’t exactly what I’d look for in a toy!

17. Magnetix

Image Source / TwitterOk, I’m going to keep this one brief as I think the clue’s in the name…This much-loved building set from the 00s was recalled when one child died any many others were injured after swallowing the magnets. A redesigned version of Magnetix is still available today, with updated design and labels - would you risk it?

18. Clackers

Image Source / WBSMAsk your parents or grandparents about these and they’re sure to remember them. Clackers were all the rage in the 70s. It was a simpler time back then and the toys reflected that - clackers were hard acrylic balls connected with a string that you literally just smashed together. Not only were they annoying to listen to, they presented a major safety hazard as the balls would often shatter into tiny pieces, causing endless injuries.

19. Slip N' Slides

Image Source / PinterestFunnily enough, Slip N' Slides are one product that cause more injuries to adults than to children. Why? Well, as you get older, you get heavier and therefore quicker when hurtling down a slide. Factor in the added risk of water and washing up liquid and it’s easy to see why Slip N' Slides are so dangerous. Many slides are home-made creations but those that have been manufactured have often been recalled, such as the WHAM-O slide which, in 1999 was recalled after seven adults and a teen sustained serious neck injuries.

20. Toy Guns

Image Source / LiveAuctioneersMini guns have been a popular choice since the rise of kids toys in the 40s and 50s. Two of the most well-known retro examples are the Austin Magic Pistol and Mattel's Belt Buckle Derringer. The Austin Magic Pistol used ‘magic crystals’ a.k.a. calcium carbide to fire ping pong balls. Sounds pretty cool. They were, until water combined with the crystals and boom, the gun would explode..!

21. Baylis and Harding - Goodness Kids Detangler

Image Source / TheWorchesterNewsThe concern over this kids’ hair product was that it contained a dodgy bacterial organism called  Pluralibacter gergoviea. For small children (who the product was aimed at) and others with existing health complications, this bacteria was an absolute no-go. Unsurprisingly, the product did not comply with the ‘Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013’ and was swiftly banned.

22. Buckyballs

Image Source / Live ScienceYet another example of magnet disasters. Although Buckyballs were never directly aimed towards children, just like the crossbows, their popularity meant they quickly wound up in the hands of kids. After 1,700 children were rushed to the ER after ingesting the Buckyball magnets they were taken off the shelves.

23. Sky Dancers

Image Source / CaruosellNow this is a 90s throwback! Innocent-looking flying fairies that shot into the air with the pull of a string. And shot up they did! Whilst most children enjoyed harmless fun, 150 did not. Reports of eye traumas, broken teeth, facial injuries, and even a mild concussion it’s easy to see why Galoob Toys Inc. recalled about 8.9 million of the flying fairies and stopped selling them for good in 2000.

24. Slingshots

Image Source / MasterfileA classic toy it may be but the health and safety police of the past were a bit more chilled out than today. Despite the obvious potential for injury, manufacturers just can’t resist making new and updated versions to entice modern youngsters. In 2006, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) recalled over 100,000 after horrific injuries such as blinding were reported.

25. Trampolines

Image Source / Wikipedia CommonsIf you were lucky enough, your Mum and Dad might have bought you a trampoline when you were younger. Did you know that a lot of home insurance deals refuse to cover trampolines due to the high injury rate they hold? Every year in the US alone, over 90,000 people turn up to the ER with trampoline-related injuries. It’s easy to see why, you’re literally flinging your body into the air and hoping you make a safe landing back on the bounce pad. And if you’ve ever been double bounced… you’re literally asking for a one-way ticket to the emergency room!

26. Children’s LED Rechargeable Music Phone

Image Source / DesertcartYoung kids love playing with their parents’ mobile phones so it’s no surprise that toy manufacturers have designed miniature versions to appeal to their young audiences. A recent model from China was quickly banned after it was found to reach a staggering 54.9 degrees Celsius. The UK gov product safety report said “a child may pick up the phone and burn their hand, face, or ear.” Ouch. Good job this model has been swiftly banned.

27. Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Game

Image Source / EbayIt’s hard to imagine how a card game would need to be recalled but that’s exactly what happened to the Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Game in 2007. When tested, the cards were found to contain dangerous levels of lead, 75X the safe amount in fact!

28. Slap Bracelets

Image Source / WikipediaI think we’ve all had a slap bracelet at one point or another. They’re simple fun - open up the ‘bracelet’ into its rigid shape and then slap it on your wrist and see it coil round at lightning speed. Mostly good fun, but like any popular toy, cheap versions popped up with sharp wire that caused cuts to the wrists of their owners.

29. Gilbert Glass Blowing Set

Image Source / LiveAuctioneersAnother toy from an era of lax health and safety laws. This children’s kit - which allowed you to glow molten glass - is a hazard if ever I saw one. I mean yes, the idea of blowing my own glass vase is ridiculously cool but I wouldn’t want to risk trying it at home, let alone giving it to a kid to experiment with! Glass has to be extremely hot to melt and mould and in this throwback kit, temperatures reached 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit… Funnily enough, the Gilbert Glass Blowing Set was taken off shelves for being too dangerous!

30. Wacky Tracks Fidget Toy

Image Source / YoutubeThese wiggly plastic snakes are a popular new trend and are still available to buy online. However, the Wacky Tracks brand has been banned in the UK as the small parts present a choking hazard and do not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

31. The Kite Tube

image source: reddit.com

In theory, the idea of combining an inflatable raft - which we all love - with the fun pastime of parasailing sounds like it would work. And it did work... it just wasn't what you'd call safe. The inflatable Kite Tube launched people into the air to have them crash back down into the water below. It was banned after quite a few accidents!

32. Belt Buckle Gun

image source: pinterest.com

This genius (and by genius we mean dangerous) idea for a toy saw you being able to shoot from your toy gun by thrusting your hips forward with the thing on your belt! What fun! Except for the fact that you have a gun that shoots out a "safe" shell very close to a poor kid's crotch.

33. Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab

image source: reddit.com

If you wanted your kids to have their very own at-home radioactive material, this was the toy to get. This toy was fun for learning all about the atom, whilst also getting exposed to radiation poisoning. The most shocking thing of all? It wasn't banned, it was discontinued because it wasn't selling.

34. Gilbert Kaster Kit Jr.

image source: liveauctioneers.com

Ah, there's nothing like painting and crafting your own lead figurine. Nothing looks amiss with this, right? Well, apart from the fact that kids using this set were expecting to create their own lead molds by pouring out molten toxic lead which could of course get onto their skin and burn them..

35. Splash Off Water Rockets

image source: youtube.com

It doesn't seem like it would be too dangerous - it's only water, right? And as long as the rocket's facing away from you... Well. But many children actually ended up injured because of this toy, and the rockets broke apart after being filled up due to the water pressure!

36. Yo-Yo Water Ball

image source: nbcnews.com

Speaking of water - most 90s kids will remember these things, but you might not have known they were dangerous (or even called Yo-Yo Water Balls!). But when you actually think about it, it's easy to see why they were a hazard to kids. The stretchy cord was a strangulation risk, the liquid inside was toxic and the material was flammable.

37. Aqua Leisure Inflatable Baby Boats

image source: reddit.com

Just as the name suggests, this was an inflatable boat that a baby could sit in at the pool. But when you're dealing with babies, there are even more dangers you have to be aware of. Sadly, these baby boats were prone to breaking, including the seat ripping so that the baby would be dropped into the water below!

38. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper

image source: reddit.com

After the TV premiere of Battlestar Galactica, a huge sci-fi hit, the Colonial Viper hit the shelves in 1978. Even after the series was cancelled, this toy remained popular - largely because it could launch a missile from the front of it. Tragically, a young boy launched a missile right down his own throat and choked to death.

39. Creepy Crawlers' Thingmaker

image source: reddit.com

Kids are always interested in bugs, insects and creepy crawly things at a certain age - were you? - so this makes sense as a toy. So the premise of this toy was to actually make casts of your favorite insects using a little oven and some gel. The problem with this was high heat causing burns and toxic fumes!

40. Fisher-Price Power Wheels

image source: reddit.com

So you might be surprised to hear a Fisher-Price toy on this list, because they're such a well known and reputable brand. But back in the 90s, they had to recall a lot of their power wheels products, with dangers including some of the vehicles being unable to brake and others being a fire hazard!

41. Burger King Pokémon Toys

image source: reddit.com

We all know the fast food kids meals that give away free toys - they've always been awesome, right? Especially when it's Pokémon. You'd think the issue with this Pokémon ball toy having a tiny Pokémon inside would be the choking hazard of the toy itself - but actually, the ball was the issue. Somehow, the half of the plastic ball when opened would get suctioned on to children's faces and suffocate them.

42. Sky Rangers Park Flyer Radio-Controlled Airplane

image source: eightieskids.com

A radio-controlled airplane doesn't sound like anything particularly dangerous in the realm of kids' toys. But it was the batteries that was the problem. The batteries of the plane would explode while it was being flown! And, of course, this resulted in bits of debris flying everywhere and plenty of injuries.

43. Flubber

image source: eightieskids.com

We all loved the movie, and we all know the appeal of a great load of slime as a kid! The Flubber toy was the best of the best - apart from when it wasn't. That's because complaints started coming in about kids breaking out in rashes or sore throats when the played with the stuff.

44. Moon Shoes

image source: gosocial.co

The idea of this chonky toy was that it was sort of like a mini-trampoline with every step - like if you were walking on the moon without gravity. The problem was, that's obviously going to cause a lot of accidents, and kids were having fractures and injuries on their legs and feet from being thrust forward!

45. Plug Aqua Ballistics Water Balloon Launcher

image source: gosocial.co

Anything with 'ballistics' and 'launcher' in the title is going to be a recipe for disaster when it comes to kids toys! This toy was made for 3 people to control together, with a water balloon being propelled a great distance. Unfortunately, this meant pain and injuries for innocent passersby.

46. Fisher-Price Trikes

image source: gosocial.co

Along with the Power Wheels cars kids could drive were the Trikes, and the problem with this one was the attention to detail. The trike would include a fake ignition key sticking out - made from plastic, of course - which causes a lot of injuries when kids fell forward onto it!

47. Swing Wing

image source: gosocial.co

This toy was sort of like a hula hoop for your head - which sounds dangerous enough as it is. It had a hard hat a kid would wear and then ropes attached to it with streamers on the end to swing around. So, inevitably, this toy caused neck injuries and even concussions! Ouch.

48. Wham-O Air Blaster Gun

image source: gosocial.co

This 'gun' was marketed with the power to hit targets 40 feet away! Sounds cool when you're playing, not so cool when you think about the potential injuries. But wait! The air gun only shot air, right? How did that hurt anybody? Well, because kids can be stupid, and then began shooting the powerful air straight into other kids' ears.

49. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic

image source: gosocial.co

This toy would have been all fun and games - literally - if it wasn't complete with toxic materials which kids would then put their mouths on to be able to blow the balloons. The liquid plastic gave off noxious fumes which then built up in the straw you were supposed to use in your mouth.

50. Little Lady Stove

image source: gosocial.co

Any toy that's a fully functioning piece of kitchen equipment is going to be dangerous for kids. This stove - marketed for 'little girls' - was a fully functional electric one, which meant serious risks of burns. Funnily enough, it wasn't that which took it off the market - it was actually material shortages during the Second World War!