1. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Few toys screamed “brilliant but dangerous” like Lawn Darts. The giant, weighted darts were meant to land in plastic rings on the grass, but more often than not they landed alarmingly close to feet—or heads. Families treated them as wholesome backyard fun.
They were wildly popular until safety concerns led to them being pulled from shelves in the late ’80s. Still, many who grew up with them remember the thrill—and the occasional near miss. Jarts remain the most infamous of ’70s toys.
2. Clackers
These acrylic balls on strings created a hypnotic clack-clack sound when mastered. Kids loved swinging them up and down to see how fast they could go. The toy was cheap, simple, and mesmerizing.
But the balls sometimes shattered into shards when struck too hard. Bruised arms and chipped teeth weren’t uncommon. Despite the risks, Clackers were a staple of ’70s playgrounds.
3. Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven seemed like pure genius—kids baking cakes with nothing but a light bulb. The joy of making your own tiny treats was irresistible. Every birthday and holiday seemed to feature one.
The danger came from that same light bulb, which got hot enough to burn fingers. The metal pans were tricky to handle, too. Still, kids proudly served up “gourmet” cakes with a few singed fingertips along the way.
4. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
This set let kids pour colorful goop into metal molds and cook them into rubbery bugs. It was creative, messy fun that sparked endless imagination. Watching the goo transform was half the magic.
The danger? That little oven got hot enough to blister skin. Combine that with fumes from the liquid plastic, and it was more hazardous than parents realized. Yet kids adored it anyway.
5. Chemistry Sets
Every budding scientist wanted a chemistry set in the ’70s. The kits included powders, liquids, and glass tubes for conducting “experiments.” It felt like real science in your own home.
Unfortunately, many sets contained chemicals that could irritate skin or worse. Glass beakers shattered easily, too. But the mix of danger and discovery made them unforgettable.
6. BB Guns
Marketed as training tools for future hunters, BB guns were a rite of passage. Ads promised endless backyard fun and target practice. Every kid wanted one, especially after watching Ralphie in A Christmas Story.
Of course, the risk of injury was high. “You’ll shoot your eye out” wasn’t just a joke—it was a real concern. Yet for many kids, the thrill outweighed the danger.
7. Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks let kids color plastic sheets and then watch them shrink and harden in the oven. The transformation was dazzling, turning flimsy art into solid charms. It felt like magic science at work.
But ovens and kids don’t always mix safely. Plus, the fumes weren’t exactly healthy to breathe. Despite that, Shrinky Dinks were a crafty craze of the decade.
8. Slip ’N Slide
Nothing said summer like unrolling the bright yellow Slip ’N Slide. A garden hose turned any backyard into a makeshift water park. Kids raced and laughed for hours.
The catch was that the slides were meant only for children. Adults or bigger teens risked serious injuries from hitting the ground too hard. Still, few could resist the temptation to try.
9. Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
Two plastic robots battling it out in the ring was every kid’s dream. The bright colors and popping heads made it endlessly fun. The clack of those controls was pure ’70s nostalgia.
The downside? Kids often got carried away and smashed each other’s fingers in the frantic button-pushing. The fights weren’t just between the robots. Still, it was worth every bruise.
10. Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle
Inspired by the daredevil himself, this toy motorcycle could rev up and launch off ramps. Watching it fly across the room was pure excitement. Kids recreated Evel’s stunts on kitchen floors and driveways.
But the cycles often smashed into furniture, pets, or siblings. Bruised shins and broken lamps were common. It was chaos, but it perfectly captured the spirit of the era.
11. Pogo Sticks
Every neighborhood had at least one kid bouncing away on a pogo stick. It was exercise disguised as fun, and mastering it gave instant playground status. The rhythmic boing-boing sound was unforgettable.
The danger came from spills—scraped knees, twisted ankles, and more. Helmets weren’t common, so falls could be rough. But that didn’t stop kids from bouncing for hours.
12. Skateboards
By the ’70s, skateboarding exploded in popularity with clay and early urethane wheels. Kids zipped down sidewalks and tried daring tricks. It was freedom on four wheels.
The risks were just as big—skinned elbows, broken bones, and plenty of spills. Safety gear was rare, so every ride carried a chance of injury. Still, skateboards became one of the most iconic toys of the decade.
