Do You Remember These 13 Vintage Toys That Were Recalled Or Banned

Remember when toys were just plain fun? Back in the day, some playthings seemed totally harmless until someone got hurt or sick.

Safety standards have come a long way since then! Some of these vintage favorites ended up being pulled from shelves or outright banned because they posed real dangers to kids.

1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)

Picture throwing metal-tipped missiles across your backyard while your friends try to catch them in rings on the ground. Sounds wild, right? Lawn Darts were basically weighted spears that kids tossed around during family barbecues.

After thousands of injuries and several tragic deaths, these dangerous projectiles were banned in the U.S. and Canada in 1988. The pointed tips could pierce skulls if they landed wrong, making them one of the deadliest toys ever sold.

2. Clackers (Click-Clacks)

If you grew up in the 1970s, you probably remember the hypnotic clicking sound these made. Two heavy acrylic balls on a string would clack together at high speeds when you swung them up and down.

However, the balls could shatter into sharp shrapnel, sending plastic shards flying into kids’ faces and eyes. Many schools banned them outright before they were eventually recalled for being serious safety hazards.

3. Sky Dancers

Who wouldn’t want a fairy that could actually fly? Sky Dancers were magical dolls with foam wings that launched into the air when you pulled a ripcord. Kids loved watching them spin and soar around the room.

Unfortunately, these whirling wonders caused over 150 injuries, including eye injuries, broken teeth, and facial lacerations. The unpredictable flight patterns meant they could smack you right in the face. Galoob recalled millions in 2000.

4. Magnetix Building Set

Building magnetic structures felt like pure magic for creative kids. Magnetix sets featured powerful magnets inside colorful plastic rods and balls that snapped together to form amazing 3D creations.

Tragically, the magnets could fall out, and when swallowed, they’d attract each other through intestinal walls, causing life-threatening blockages. After a toddler died in 2005, millions of sets were recalled. The danger was just too real to ignore anymore.

5. Easy-Bake Oven (Older Models)

Baking tiny cakes with a lightbulb seemed like pure genius! Easy-Bake Ovens let kids feel like real chefs, creating miniature treats in their bedrooms. Generations grew up dreaming of opening their own bakeries thanks to this iconic toy.

Older models had a dangerous design flaw: kids could insert their hands into the front opening and get them trapped or severely burned by the heating element. After nearly 250 burn injuries, Hasbro recalled about one million ovens in 2007.

6. Burger King Poke Ball (1999 Kids Meal)

When Pokemon mania swept the world, Burger King jumped on the bandwagon with collectible Poke Balls in their kids’ meals. The plastic spheres opened up just like in the cartoon, making them instant must-haves.

Tragically, the two halves could fit over a toddler’s nose and mouth, creating a suffocation risk. After a baby died, Burger King recalled 25 million of them. Sometimes even the coolest promotion can turn deadly serious.

7. Kinder Surprise (Banned In The U.S.)

Chocolate eggs with hidden toys inside sound like every kid’s dream, right? Kinder Surprise has delighted children worldwide for decades with its combination of sweet treats and collectible surprises.

Though the U.S. banned them in 1938 under a law prohibiting non-edible objects embedded in food, citing choking hazards. The ban remains today, though Kinder Joy (with separated compartments) is now legal. Still, smuggling them across the border can result in hefty fines!

8. Bindeez (Aqua Dots)

Arranging colorful beads into patterns and spraying them with water to fuse together was seriously satisfying. Bindeez (called Aqua Dots in North America) won toy awards for being creative and mess-free.

But here’s the nightmare: the coating on the beads metabolized into a date-rape drug when ingested. Several children fell into comas after swallowing them. The 2007 recall was swift and global. Imagine winning Toy of the Year, then becoming infamous for poisoning kids. Yikes!

9. Neodymium Magnet Balls (Buckyballs/Zen Magnets)

These mesmerizing desk toys consisted of hundreds of tiny, powerful magnetic spheres that you could shape into endless sculptures. Adults and teens found them incredibly addictive, creating geometric patterns for hours.

When kids got hold of them, disaster struck. Swallowing multiple magnets caused intestinal perforations and blockages requiring emergency surgery. The CPSC fought to ban them, leading to massive recalls and legal battles. Though they’ve made comebacks with age restrictions, the danger remains very real.

10. Slap Bracelets

Nothing felt cooler than slapping a straight piece of metal that instantly curled around your wrist. Slap bracelets became the must-have accessory in the early 1990s, with everyone collecting different colors and patterns.

Schools started banning them when the fabric covering tore, exposing sharp metal edges that could slice skin. Some versions were basically repurposed measuring tape, which could cause nasty cuts. While they’re still around today with better safety standards, the original versions were legitimately dangerous fashion statements.

11. Fidget Spinners (Some Models Recalled)

When fidget spinners exploded onto the scene in 2017, everyone from kindergarteners to grandparents was spinning them. These handheld gadgets supposedly helped with focus and anxiety, though mostly they just looked cool.

Multiple models were recalled for battery fires and choking hazards. Some battery-powered light-up versions caught fire while charging, and small parts could detach and choke young children. While most were safe, the rapid manufacturing rush led to quality control disasters for certain brands.

12. Self-Balancing Hoverboard Scooters (Multiple Recalls)

Gliding around like you’re from the future seemed amazing until your ride burst into flames. Hoverboards became the hottest gift of 2015, despite not actually hovering or being boards.

Cheap lithium batteries overheated, causing fires and explosions in homes, stores, and even mid-ride. Airlines banned them, and millions were recalled. Videos of hoverboards spontaneously combusting went viral. Though safer models exist now with UL certification, the original craze was literally a dumpster fire waiting to happen.

13. Slip ‘N Slide (Widely Warned/Restricted For Adults)

Summer wouldn’t be complete without laying out a long plastic sheet, hooking up the hose, and sliding across your lawn. Kids have been cooling off with Slip ‘N Slides since the 1960s, making backyard memories for generations.

Adults attempting to relive their childhood suffered serious spinal cord injuries, including paralysis. The CPSC issued warnings that the slides are only for children under 5 feet tall. Teens and adults moving too fast can stop abruptly, causing devastating neck injuries. Stick to the kiddie pool, folks!