1. Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids
The Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids doll had a mechanical jaw that could “eat” plastic food. But the doll didn’t always distinguish between plastic snacks and things like kids’ fingers, clothing, or hair. Fingers and ponytails got caught in those unrelenting jaws, and parents everywhere had to step in to prevent a snacktime disaster.
2. Easy-Bake Oven
This mini-oven promised kids the joy of baking, but it came with its own hazards. Early models were powered by a literal light bulb that got so hot it could burn little fingers or, worse, trap them if they got too curious. The toy was updated to improve safety, but the early models hold a legendary status among kids who wanted to cook like adults—and paid the price with a singe or two.
3. Slip ‘N Slide
Few things screamed “summer” like a Slip ‘N Slide. You’d run, jump, and slide down the plastic runway, but if you hit a rock or went a little too fast, you could be in for some painful tumbles. These slides were intended for kids, but if an adult attempted to join in, it often resulted in sprains, bruises, and worse. Despite the risks, everyone remembers the thrill of trying it out at least once.
4. Clackers
Two hard acrylic balls attached to a string, Clackers were a playground favorite that seemed simple enough… until you got hit. The goal was to get the balls swinging and clacking together, but one wrong move, and they’d come down on your knuckles or wrists with some serious force. Despite the bruises, Clackers were strangely addictive—proof that ‘80s kids had no problem with toys that came with a bit of pain.
5. My Little Pony with Long Hair
My Little Pony dolls were a childhood favorite, but some of the models featured extremely long, flowing manes that tangled easily. Kids loved to braid and play with the hair, but if it got caught in anything—like a hairdryer or a vacuum—it was a recipe for disaster. That didn’t stop kids from collecting them, though, and every ‘80s kid had at least one My Little Pony with a mane that ended up in knots.
6. Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks let kids create their own artwork, bake it, and watch it shrink. But baking these plastic sheets gave off some questionable fumes—not the healthiest for a household activity. While they were fun and harmless with proper supervision, some parents started wondering if filling the kitchen with the smell of hot plastic was the best idea.
7. Aquanet Hairspray
It wasn’t an ‘80s hairstyle without Aquanet. This aerosol hairspray could hold a skyscraper of a hairdo, but it was highly flammable. With everyone spraying it in closed spaces, inhaling the fumes was practically a rite of passage. And we won’t even get into its environmental effects—Aquanet did a number on the ozone layer, too.
8. Bubble Lights on the Christmas Tree
Bubble lights were a Christmas decoration staple in the ‘80s. These little lights, filled with colorful liquid, would heat up and start bubbling, adding a bit of holiday magic to the tree. But here’s the catch: they got hot—really hot. Touching one was like pressing your finger to a stovetop, and if one broke, it was a mess of glass and liquid. Despite the hazards, the mesmerizing bubbling effect made them an iconic decoration, and every ‘80s kid remembers the thrill (and maybe a tiny bit of fear) that came with them.
9. Micro Machines
These tiny toy cars were beloved, but they were also an absolute hazard if left lying around. Stepping on one barefoot was painful enough, but swallowing or choking on them was a real risk for little kids. That didn’t stop ‘80s kids from collecting them, though—they just came with a lesson in looking where you stepped.
10. Jelly Shoes
Jelly shoes were the height of ’80s fashion, with their bright, transparent colors and unique texture. But those adorable shoes were not designed with comfort—or traction—in mind. They were slippery, blister-inducing, and if you wore them in the heat, your feet were practically glued to them by the end of the day. Kids today may wonder what the appeal was, but every ‘80s kid remembers their first pair.
11. Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite was magical, letting kids create glowing pictures with tiny colored pegs. But those pegs, small and sharp, weren’t exactly toddler-friendly and posed a choking hazard for younger siblings. Not to mention the pain of stepping on one barefoot! Despite the dangers, Lite-Brite was a blast and made us feel like artists in the dark.
12. Pop Rocks
The fizzy sensation of Pop Rocks popping in your mouth was thrilling—though rumors swirled about kids “exploding” if they drank soda with them. While the rumor was just a myth, Pop Rocks gave parents plenty of worry, and the intense fizzing sensation was enough to scare younger kids. But for adventurous snackers, Pop Rocks were the ultimate candy challenge.
13. Lawn Pool Slides
A makeshift pool slide in the backyard seemed like a great idea in the ‘80s, but they were far from safe. Kids would drag plastic slides over to their above-ground pools, climbing and diving off them with no lifeguard in sight. Slip-ups and injuries were frequent, but back then, these slides added an extra thrill to summer days—and no one thought much about the risks.
14. Pogo Balls
Pogo Balls were like a cross between a pogo stick and a ball, with a platform for your feet and a ball underneath. They were loads of fun… until you fell. Keeping your balance was tricky, and one bad move could send you flying. Despite the bruises, every kid who had one of these mastered the art of bouncing and loved it, hazards and all.
15. Skipping Stones
These weren’t your average skipping stones but the plastic, multi-colored ones sold in toy aisles that were specifically designed to skip across water. They seemed innocent enough until you realized that one wrong throw could send a stone right at a friend’s shin or even face. There’s nothing quite like the sting of a plastic stone skimming off the water and hitting its target, but somehow, we all kept playing.
16. Big Wheels
These low-riding plastic tricycles were wildly popular, but they were not without risks. Big Wheels had a tendency to tip over on sharp turns or crack under rough play, especially if you took a hill too fast. And with barely any traction, stopping suddenly was never an option. But every ‘80s kid remembers the thrill of riding one down the driveway or street, hazards be damned.
These beloved ‘80s items brought endless fun and a few scrapes and bruises along the way. But in their own way, they taught us resilience, caution, and the art of living a little dangerously. They may have been hazardous, but the thrill they brought is something we’ll always remember fondly.
