Toys, right? Meant to be all about fun, sparking imagination, and maybe even teaching us a thing or two. But hold up, what if some of them were… kinda lethal? Here’s a wild list of 12 toys that got the boot in the U.S. We’re talking strangulation, burns, and – wait for it – even poisoning from date-rape drugs. I know, right? Total “say what?!” moment.
Fidget Spinners
Alright, flashback to 2017: there was this super popular toy that wasn’t just driving teachers up the wall. These plastic doodads were also a choking nightmare. The pros over at the Good Housekeeping Institute did some digging and, yep, both the real deal and the copycats had bits that could break off. Super risky for the little ones under 3. Not the kind of surprise anyone wants in their toy!
Aqua Dots (2007)
There was this toy back in 2007 where you’d line up tiny beads, give them a splash of water, and bam! They’d stick together. Cool concept, right? But here’s the kicker: if you accidentally ate them, the outer layer of these beads turned into something called GHB, which is, yikes, known as the date rape drug. Things got real serious when three kids ended up in comas after munching on them. So, the bigwigs at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had to step in and pull about 4.2 million of these kits off the shelves. Crazy, huh?
PS: It’s a great idea to keep up-to-date with the Consumer Product Safety Commission for recalls.
Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids (1997)
Alright, check this out: There were these dolls that could “eat” plastic food – sounds kinda cool, right? But here’s the wild part: instead of just munching on their fake snacks, they sometimes got a taste for kids’ fingers or hair. Ouch! Needless to say, they got the boot because no one wants a toy that doubles as a mini hairdresser or finger snatcher! Some unscrupulous people are still selling them.
Sky Dancers (2000)
Oh man, remember Sky Dancers? Those dolls that you’d launch into the air and they’d spin around? Super fun in theory, but in reality? Not so much. Turns out, they had a mind of their own and would sometimes go all rogue, smacking people in the face or eyes. Yikes! So, they got benched for being a bit too wild for playtime. Safety first, right? And yet, they are still for sale.
Easy-Bake Oven (2007)
Oh, the Easy-Bake Oven! Sounds harmless, right? Just a cute lil’ oven for kids to whip up tiny treats. But here’s the tea: there was this design goof where kiddos could accidentally get their hands stuck inside. And yep, you guessed it, some tiny chefs ended up with burns. Major bummer. Good news though, they pulled it back, gave it a makeover, and fixed that pesky problem. All’s well that ends well, I guess!
Yo-Yo Water Balls (2003)
Alright, so there were these water-filled balls on stretchy cords, right? Seemed like a blast at first glance. But here’s the twist: some kids started swinging them around their heads, and, well, things got a bit dicey. Turns out, they were a strangulation hazard. After a few too many close calls and injuries, the powers that be decided to give them the boot. Better safe than sorry!
Magnetix Building Sets (2006)
So, there were these building sets with teeny, super-strong magnets, right? Super cool for building stuff, but here’s the snag: those little magnets could pop out. And guess what? If they got swallowed, they could do some serious damage on the inside. The sets were recalled.
Hoverboards (2015)
Hoverboards, remember those? They were the must-have toy of the 2015 holiday season. But, man, did they have a dark side. These battery-run bad boys had a nasty habit of catching fire if you charged them too long. And the real heartbreaker? A 3-year-old in Pennsylvania tragically lost their life when one of these dodgy boards started a house fire.
CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit (2007)
Okay, so get this: there was this toy that came with fingerprint dust powder, kinda like what detectives use. Cool concept, right? But hold up, there was a plot twist: folks started worrying that the powder had asbestos in it. Yikes! So, they had to give it the axe. No one’s trying to play with that kind of danger!
Magnetic Jewelry (2006)
Magnetic jewelry marketed as a stress-relief toy was banned because if the magnets came loose, they could be swallowed, causing serious health issues.
Creepy Crawlers Bug-Maker Oven (1960s)
The original Creepy Crawlers toy used a hot metal plate to cook plastic, which could cause burns. It was redesigned to improve safety.
Please note that toy safety regulations are subject to change, and new bans or recalls may have occurred since my last update in September 2021. Always ensure you check the latest safety guidelines and product recalls from relevant authorities when purchasing toys for children.
Lawn Darts (70’s and 80’s)
Lawn Darts, or as some called ’em, “jarts”. Picture this: heavy spikes soaring through the air. Sounds like a chill backyard game, right? Or, you know, a disaster waiting to happen. The CPSC first gave them the side-eye in 1970, trying to keep them off the toy shelves. But get this: even with those efforts, about 6,000 kiddos ended up in the ER in the ’70s and ’80s because of these things. And, heartbreakingly, three didn’t make it. By 1988, the CPSC was like, “Enough’s enough!” and banned them for good. If you’ve still got a set lying around, they say to trash it ASAP. Safety first, folks!
From David Bowie to Stevie Nicks: Celebs You NEVER Expected to See as Barbie Dolls!
Have you heard that Mattel recently announced the debut of a Stevie Nicks Barbie? It got us thinking about what other famous people have been recreated in Barbie form. Some of these surprised us, and we had no idea that David Bowie had been honored. Let’s start with Margot Robbie, who starred in the recent Barbie movie. Read More Here.
What’s Up With “Barbie Feet” Trend?
If you were someone who played with Barbie, you are definitely aware that Barbie’s feet remain in a high arch, ready to take on high heels, and chances are even if you did not play with Barbie yourself, you are familiar with this feature. Why are Barbie’s feet the way they are, and does it matter? Is there any greater meaning to that high arched foot, other than what meets the eye?
The new Barbie movie is out, and the trailer is built around an iconic image of Barbie stepping out of her heels – as her feet remain in that tiptoe, high arched position. Read: What’s Up With “Barbie Feet” Trend?
Eat Like Barbie! 9 Of The Wildest Barbie Inspired Food Products You Can Eat Now
Barbie has a complicated relationship with food. We all know that her figure is a human impossibility, but was food even portrayed in Barbie’s world? And if Barbie were to enter the real world, what would her food look like? Several food manufacturers say they know.
Read: Eat Like Barbie! 9 Of The Wildest Barbie Inspired Food Products You Can Eat Now
