8 of the Most Dangerous Toys from Yesteryear.
#1. SWaCK! (1968)
This beauty made it’s first appearance in 1968. At first it may seem like a simple harmless game. However this game became responsible for nearly broken fingers in smaller children and a number of other minor injuries. Who would’ve ever figured that a giant metal contraption invented for killing animals, would ever hurt a child?!
#2. Creepy Crawlers (Original, 1964)
Another gem from the 1960s! The Creepy Crawlers: Thing- Maker game was ground-breaking for a couple reasons. At first it seemed like a great idea. It allows children to learn about insects and have fun doing it. However after children began severely burning themselves, this game lost it’s appeal. Everyone knows about the dangers of an Easy Bake Oven. It contains a light-bulb used to “bake” sweets, that could also reach a temperature of 350 degrees. Creepy Crawlers is even worse. The basic function was to use Mattel “Plastigoop” in a heated tray to create various… well, creepy crawlers. The problem was it reached an even higher temp than an Easy Bake Oven, making it easier than ever for children to burn themselves and their friends on an exposed metal tray, or with the molten plastic inside. Fun for days!
#3. BattleStar Galactica: Colonial Viper (1978)
This futuristic space toy was a huge hit among kids in the late 70s. The Colonial Viper lost its appeal shortly after it was released. The problem was that the ship came with small missile able to be launched by a spring inside the ship. Unfortunately a younger child shot the missile into their mouth and choked to death. The Colonial Viper is now remembered as the reason “choking hazard” labels exist on toys now.
#4. Moon Shoes (70s, 80s and 90s)
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result. Well the people who designed (and kept designing) Moon Shoes did not get that memo. This toy was created in the 70s as essentially miniature trampolines strapped to your feet. What could go wrong? The main issue was broken ankles. Moon Shoes made you about a foot taller, and what happens when you roll your ankle? It will most likely break. The original design for these was a metal contraption which meant kids were standing on machines that could function as bear traps. Eventually the design made its way toward plastic and rubber. Unfortunately this did not improve anything, making them weaker and more susceptible to breaking mid-jump.
#5. Lawn Darts (pre-1988)
These classic toys are pretty obviously dangerous. Essentially its a heavy, steel bar that comes to a point at one end, and has plastic wings on the other. These were created as a target game for outdoors as a giant version of darts. The main lingering issue was that humans/children are not always accurate. Reports of kids getting stabbed, maimed or even worse caused these beauties to be banned from production. Recent versions have been reissued as smaller, plastic or rubber darts with a blunt end. However, nothing will ever be as fun as hurling metal stakes at your friends across the yard.
#6. Gilbert Glass Blowing Set (1950s)
If anyone has ever seen a glass blowing demo or even pictures of one, you should know how dangerous it can be. This kit came out in the 1950s and was designed to teach glass blowing to children. The obvious danger came from heating the glass to a malleable state, which meant heated to over 1000 degrees. Between 1000 degree temps, molten glass, and potential of combustion, its amazing something like this even existed.
#7. Sky Dancers (1990s)
90s girls!! I’m sure even if you’re a 90s boy you’ll remember this gem. Sky Dancers were roughly the size of a barbie, with hard plastic wings that propelled them through the air. Once you pulled the cord, your doll would lift off and fly in completely erratic directions. At first this toy seemed really fun and harmless. The problem was that it was essentially a flying blade, whose direction could not be predicted. Reports of scratched corneas, lacerated cheeks and foreheads, and temporary blindness from being struck by a Sky Dancer sent these little fairies packing in the early 2000s. The toy was later redesigned and released in 2005.
#8. “Snack-time” Cabbage Patch Dolls (1990s)
Cabbage Patch dolls usually don’t come to mind when thinking about dangerous toys. However a special edition released in the 90s changed that notion. SnackTime dolls were designed so children could pretend they were feeding the doll. Just like any other baby doll, the whole point is so the child can pretend to be a parent and care for the baby. The doll came with fake french fries and other foods to insert into the doll’s mouth, where mechanized jaws simulated real chewing. The problem was that sometimes the doll chewed on more than food. Smaller children suffered damage to fingers after inserting them into the doll’s mouth. Another example included parents calling the fire department after their daughters hair became entangled in the doll.
