1. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts)
In the ’70s, lawn darts were the ultimate backyard game. The concept was simple: toss heavy, pointed darts toward a plastic target ring on the grass. It was a competitive family activity, but those metal tips made them more like weapons than toys. Kids loved them, but plenty of parents quickly realized how risky they could be when a dart went off course.
Today, it’s almost shocking to think these were marketed as family fun. With their sharp ends and heavy weight, they caused thousands of injuries before being banned. Looking back, it feels like a lawsuit waiting to happen. They may have been exciting, but it’s safe to say modern safety standards would never let these see the light of day.
2. Clackers
Clackers were those colorful acrylic balls connected by a string that you’d swing up and down until they smacked together. The sound was addictive, and every kid wanted to master the perfect rhythm. But it didn’t take long before people started noticing the dangers. If the balls shattered, they could send sharp shards flying everywhere.
They were also pretty tough on the wrists and arms, leaving bruises if you got too wild. Schools banned them, parents hid them, but kids still snuck them out for one more go. They might look harmless, but anyone who had a pair remembers the sting of a miscalculated swing. It’s a classic example of how fun and danger often went hand in hand in the ’70s.
3. Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
This toy let kids create their own bugs by heating up goopy “Plasti-Goop” in metal molds. The oven used for this process got scorching hot, and the fumes weren’t exactly friendly to young lungs. Still, it felt magical to watch colorful rubbery insects take shape right before your eyes.
The danger was obvious to anyone who touched the oven without supervision. Burns were common, and the chemicals weren’t safe by modern standards. Parents were often more worried about their tablecloths catching fire than the bugs being made. It was equal parts creative and hazardous, but it’s remembered fondly by many who survived it.
4. Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven sounds wholesome, but the ’70s versions used real light bulbs that got dangerously hot. Kids could bake cakes and cookies, but they could also burn their fingers trying to pull trays out. For a toy marketed to children, it packed some real risks.
Even so, there was something magical about baking your own treats without adult help. The thrill of independence made kids ignore the burns or hot metal trays. It’s a reminder that even the most innocent-looking toys weren’t always designed with safety first. Today’s versions are much safer, but they don’t carry the same daredevil edge.
5. Space Hoppers
These giant inflatable balls with handles were playground favorites. Kids would bounce around the yard or down the sidewalk, racing each other while holding on for dear life. The problem was, one wrong bounce and you’d go tumbling face-first onto the pavement.
Scraped knees and bruises were practically guaranteed. Some hoppers even popped under pressure, sending kids flying. Parents considered them a safe way to burn off energy, but looking back, the lack of helmets or padding feels reckless. They were fun, but not exactly stable.
6. Shrinky Dinks (Original Version)
Shrinky Dinks were sheets of plastic you colored and then baked to shrink into charms. The craft itself seemed safe, but it required kids to use the family oven. Not every parent felt comfortable letting children handle something that hot.
While the plastic creations were cute, there were safety concerns about fumes and burns. Plenty of kids leaned in too close to watch them curl up inside the oven. It may not sound like the riskiest toy compared to others, but it still made safety experts nervous. Today’s versions are much more controlled, but back then, it was another case of fun meeting danger.
7. Chemistry Sets
Every budding scientist in the ’70s wanted a chemistry set. The kits came with real chemicals and glass beakers, allowing kids to mix and experiment. It sparked curiosity, but it also sparked actual flames. Without much oversight, the experiments could quickly go from cool to catastrophic.
Some sets even included ingredients that are no longer considered safe for kids. Burns, explosions, and eye injuries weren’t uncommon. They inspired a love for science, sure, but at a risk few parents would tolerate today. Modern kits are much tamer, but they don’t carry the same thrilling danger.
8. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
This toy let kids blow giant bubbles from a colorful goo using a small straw. The bubbles looked amazing, but the chemical smell was unmistakable. The goo contained toxic fumes, and kids often ended up inhaling them while trying to blow bubbles.
Parents eventually realized just how unsafe it was, but not before it became a playground craze. The bubbles didn’t last long, but the memories of dizziness and headaches did. It’s the kind of toy that could never pass modern regulations. At the time, though, it was just another experiment in fun gone wrong.
9. Roller Skates with Metal Wheels
Roller skating was huge in the ’70s, but the early skates often had clunky metal wheels. They were noisy, unstable, and almost impossible to control on anything but smooth pavement. Kids still strapped them on and sped down sidewalks with no pads or helmets.
Falls were inevitable, and broken bones weren’t rare. Parents encouraged the activity for exercise, but there was little thought given to protection. Today’s smooth polyurethane wheels make skating safer, but those old metal ones turned every ride into a risky adventure. They might look charming now, but they were brutal back then.
10. BB Guns
Many kids in the ’70s begged for a BB gun, especially after watching A Christmas Story years later. They felt like the ultimate grown-up toy, giving kids a sense of independence. But the potential for injury was massive. BBs caused plenty of eye injuries and accidents.
They were marketed as a rite of passage, but they came with serious risks. Parents often underestimated how dangerous they were until something went wrong. Even so, for many kids, getting one was a big milestone. It’s no surprise they’d be heavily restricted today.
11. Water Rockets
Water rockets were powered by pumping air into a bottle filled with water, then releasing it for blast-off. They could shoot surprisingly high and fast, which thrilled kids. But they were also strong enough to cause injuries if one hit you on the way down.
The unpredictability was part of the fun but also the danger. Some kids aimed them at each other, turning a toy into a projectile weapon. Parents often shrugged it off as harmless fun, but accidents happened more often than anyone admitted. It’s the kind of toy that seems exciting until you’re on the receiving end.
12. Slip ’N Slide
On a hot summer day, nothing beat a Slip ’N Slide stretched across the yard. Kids would take a running start and dive onto the plastic sheet, hoping for a smooth glide. The problem was, the ground underneath wasn’t always soft. Rocks, bumps, and uneven grass made for painful landings.
Adults also occasionally joined in, but the slides weren’t designed for their weight, leading to serious injuries. Broken bones and bruises were common, though kids rarely let that stop them. It was a mix of joy and pain that defined summertime play. Today, it comes with far more warnings and safety rules.
13. Pogo Sticks
Pogo sticks were the ultimate test of balance and bravery. Kids would hop around the driveway or sidewalk, competing to see who could stay on the longest. But with no protective gear and plenty of hard surfaces, the falls could be brutal.
Head injuries, sprained ankles, and broken arms were common side effects of mastering the pogo stick. Parents often encouraged it as a way to stay active, but it wasn’t exactly safe. It required skill and luck to avoid a bad tumble. Looking back, it’s amazing how many kids stuck with it despite the risks.
