The toys of the 1970s were memorable, but let’s be honest—many of them would never make it to shelves today. From high-flying projectiles to scorching hot molds, the toys of that era took risks that would make today’s safety inspectors cringe. Here’s a look back at some of the fun (but definitely not safe) toys we loved as kids.
1. Clackers
These were two heavy, solid balls on a string that kids clacked together—until they shattered into dangerous shards. Clackers were thrilling but notorious for injuries, and they didn’t last long before safety concerns yanked them off the market.
2. Jarts (Lawn Darts)
Throwing sharp metal-tipped darts across the yard was family fun… until it wasn’t. Lawn darts led to countless injuries (and a few lawsuits) before being banned. But for those of us who played, it was an unforgettable game of chance.
3. Creepy Crawlers
These DIY plastic bugs required a tiny oven that could heat up to scorching temperatures—hot enough to burn small hands. Pouring “Plastigoop” into metal molds and watching it bubble into creepy-crawlies was a thrill, but the burn risks were real.
4. Easy-Bake Oven
While not exclusive to the ‘70s, the Easy-Bake Oven of this era was essentially a miniature oven that could burn you. Using a lightbulb to cook, it was undercooked brownies on a good day and singed fingers on a bad one. Surprisingly risky, but beloved.
5. Water Wiggle
These squishy, water-filled tubes were practically designed to burst open, leaving slippery chaos in their wake. Full of water and dye, they were a mess waiting to happen, and if the outer layer broke, it left water hazards and staining everywhere.
6. Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Two colorful plastic robots punching each other may seem innocent enough, but kids often hurt their hands furiously smashing the controls to get that “winning” head pop-off. The heavy base also had a habit of tipping, leading to pinched fingers and bruised toes.
7. Shrinky Dinks
Coloring on sheets of plastic and baking them down into tiny creations? Fun, but it meant hovering by a hot oven while plastic heated up and melted down into potentially toxic fumes. Shrinky Dinks were cool, but safety wasn’t exactly their strong suit.
8. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper
Inspired by the popular show, the Colonial Viper toy was designed to shoot tiny plastic missiles. It sounds fun until you realize that kids (and even adults) accidentally inhaled or swallowed those projectiles, which led to major recalls and safety redesigns.
9. Sky Dancers
Sky Dancers were little fairies you could launch by pulling a cord, sending them soaring into the air. But these “flying” toys quickly became infamous for their erratic flight patterns, often whacking kids and parents alike. Sky Dancers looked magical, but they were way too unpredictable to be safe.
10. Big Wheel
This low-to-the-ground plastic tricycle was every kid’s dream, but it was practically designed to tip over at high speeds, especially when taking sharp turns. Scraped knees, elbows, and hands were inevitable.
11. Fisher-Price Little People (Wooden Edition)
These tiny wooden figures were a choking hazard waiting to happen. Although they were adorable, small enough to be swallowed, and not much safer even when made of plastic, Fisher-Price later changed the design to meet updated safety standards.
12. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
This wasn’t your average bubble kit—Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a tube of semi-liquid plastic and a separate straw for blowing up balloons. The fumes alone were questionable, and the plastic material was highly flammable, making this toxic-smelling toy a disaster waiting to happen.
Looking back, these toys taught us some hard lessons about risk and reward. Whether it was the thrill of Evel Knievel’s stunts or the “creative” burns of Creepy Crawlers, we grew up on these dangerous-but-loved toys—probably just a bit tougher for having done so.
