1. Clackers
Clackers were all the rage in the late ’60s, and it’s easy to see why. The toy consisted of two acrylic balls attached to a string, and the goal was to make them hit each other as fast as possible, creating a loud clacking sound. Kids loved the challenge and the satisfying rhythm, but parents weren’t as thrilled about the noise—or the danger. The balls were known to shatter mid-swing, sending shards of hard plastic flying through the air.
After countless injuries and even a few recalls, Clackers quickly lost their appeal. By the early ’70s, they were practically banned in many places. The toy made a brief comeback in safer, rubberized versions, but the original’s chaotic energy was gone. For a while, though, it was the loudest toy in the neighborhood.
2. Vac-U-Form
The Vac-U-Form let kids mold their own plastic creations using heat and vacuum suction, which sounded futuristic at the time. You could make toy cars, tiny monsters, or whatever your imagination came up with. The only catch? The process involved a heating plate hot enough to burn skin. Many kids found that out the hard way.
Parents began to question whether a toy that could double as a branding iron was really a good idea. Mattel tried to tweak the design, but the damage was done. Safety standards were tightening, and the Vac-U-Form was quietly pulled from shelves. It remains one of those “how was that ever allowed?” relics of the ’60s.
3. Wham-O Air Blaster
The Wham-O Air Blaster was a toy gun that shot bursts of air instead of bullets, which sounded safe enough. It could knock over paper cups or surprise your little brother from across the room. Unfortunately, it could also launch things other than air—like rocks, marbles, or anything kids could jam into it.
That loophole made it a household hazard. Parents soon realized it wasn’t as harmless as advertised, and stores stopped carrying it after a short time. Wham-O eventually retooled the idea into safer toys, but the Air Blaster became a cautionary tale. It’s a perfect example of how quickly a good idea could backfire in the hands of creative kids.
4. Creepy Crawlers
Creepy Crawlers were the stuff of every ’60s kid’s imagination—a kit where you could “bake” rubbery bugs in little metal molds. The colorful, wiggly results were strangely satisfying. The problem was the same as many ’60s toys: it required a real hot plate. Burns were almost guaranteed if you weren’t careful.
Despite the danger, the toy was massively popular until new safety regulations hit in the early ’70s. The company tried releasing an updated version with safer materials, but it never quite caught the same buzz. Those who remember the original still recall that distinctive smell of melting plastic and the thrill of making something “gross” from scratch.
5. Moon Shoes
Before trampolines became backyard staples, there were Moon Shoes. They looked like miniature pogo contraptions you strapped to your feet, promising to make you “walk on the moon.” In reality, they made you wobble and trip more than bounce. Most kids spent more time falling than floating.
It didn’t take long for twisted ankles and scraped knees to pile up. Parents quickly realized the shoes were more trouble than they were worth. They disappeared by the end of the decade, though nostalgic versions reappeared years later in the ’90s. For a brief moment, though, every kid wanted to defy gravity in the driveway.
6. Thingmaker Fright Factory
After the success of Creepy Crawlers, Mattel doubled down with the Thingmaker Fright Factory. It let kids create gruesome monsters, masks, and fangs using the same “Plasti-Goop” material. The idea was thrilling, especially for little horror fans. Unfortunately, so were the burns.
Parents began to realize that handing children a metal mold and a heating element might not have been the best idea. It was eventually discontinued for safety reasons, though collectors still hunt down original sets today. It’s remembered fondly as the toy that blurred the line between creativity and chaos.
7. Suzy Homemaker Oven
The Suzy Homemaker Oven gave kids the chance to play grown-up by “baking” real treats using a light bulb. It was part of a broader line of domestic-themed toys aimed at young girls. While it sounded wholesome, the oven’s temperatures could soar dangerously high. More than one child ended up with singed fingers instead of cookies.
Once safer kitchen toys hit the market, the Suzy Homemaker brand couldn’t compete. Changing cultural attitudes in the ’70s also made its traditional message feel outdated. It faded quietly, though it’s now a fascinating artifact of how gender roles were marketed through play.
8. Incredible Edibles
If Creepy Crawlers were too creepy, Incredible Edibles offered a “safe” alternative: you could eat these creations. The toy used a similar process, with a heat plate to cook up gummy-like shapes made from “Gobble-De-Goop.” The problem was the taste—most kids thought it was disgusting.
Even worse, confusion between edible and inedible goops led to a few unfortunate accidents. Safety concerns and a shrinking appetite for gooey snacks led to its quick demise. Still, it was one of those toys that perfectly captured the experimental spirit of the decade.
9. Battling Tops
Battling Tops was one of those toys that started with a frenzy and vanished just as quickly. You’d spin colorful tops into an arena and watch them clash until one remained standing. The thrill came from the unpredictability, and every kid had their “lucky top.”
But as electronic toys started taking over, the novelty wore off. Kids moved on to more exciting gadgets, leaving the tops to collect dust. It had a brief revival in later decades, but the original craze never returned. For a while, though, it was the noisiest kitchen-table competition around.
10. Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite was one of the most mesmerizing toys to come out of the ’60s. Kids would poke tiny colored pegs into a black screen, creating glowing pictures that looked like stained glass when the light turned on. It felt futuristic and creative, giving every child a chance to feel like an artist in the dark. The bright hum of that tiny bulb is something many still remember fondly.
But after the novelty wore off, so did the patience it required. Losing the tiny pegs was a constant frustration, and stepping on them barefoot was almost as painful as a LEGO mishap. By the early ’70s, many sets ended up tucked in closets or missing crucial parts. Even so, for a few shining years, Lite-Brite turned countless living rooms into neon art studios.
11. Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
When Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots debuted in 1964, it was an instant hit. Two colorful robots—Red Rocker and Blue Bomber—slugged it out in a plastic ring until one’s head popped up in defeat. It was simple, loud, and wildly fun. Every kid wanted a turn to deliver the knockout punch.
But after the initial craze, the repetitive gameplay grew old. By the early ’70s, the novelty had worn off, and kids had moved on to more interactive toys. It did make nostalgic comebacks over the years, but the original ’60s version was a short-lived sensation. For a time, though, no living room was safe from the sounds of plastic fists colliding.
12. Great Garloo
The Great Garloo was a remote-controlled green monster that could walk, bow, and carry things. It was marketed as a friendly giant, though many kids found it more frightening than fun. Its mechanical movements were jerky, and its size made it intimidating. Still, it was considered a marvel of toy engineering at the time.
The high price tag didn’t help its longevity. As newer battery-powered toys emerged, Garloo started to look outdated. It vanished from shelves within a few short years. Today, collectors love it, but back then, it was the toy that scared as many kids as it entertained.
13. Etch A Sketch
When Etch A Sketch debuted in 1960, it instantly became one of the decade’s most iconic toys. With two little knobs and a gray screen, it allowed kids to “draw” pictures without ever picking up a pencil. The simple design made it endlessly entertaining and oddly satisfying to shake away your mistakes.
Despite its brilliance, the fad cooled after a few years as newer drawing toys hit the market. Many kids found it tricky to master, and their creations often turned into squiggly disasters. It would return in later decades as a nostalgic favorite, but its first wave of fame burned out fast. In its heyday, though, Etch A Sketch felt like pure magic in red plastic.
14. Barbie’s Dream House
Barbie’s Dream House was the ultimate symbol of luxury playtime in the ’60s. Introduced in 1962, the first version was made of cardboard, complete with mid-century furniture and space for Barbie to live her stylish, independent life. It represented something new: a toy home that wasn’t about being a wife or mother—it was Barbie’s own space.
But like many fads, its early popularity waned once newer, more elaborate versions arrived. Kids moved on to bigger, flashier toys, and the original Dream House quietly disappeared from store shelves. Collectors now pay big money for those early editions, complete with the turquoise couch and fold-out walls. For a while, though, it was every child’s dream to live like Barbie.
