The 80s were a golden era for toys—bold, colorful, and just plain cool. Back then, toys were often less regulated, and a lot of them encouraged creativity, exploration, and sometimes even a little danger. It wasn’t until some of these playthings started causing issues (or lawsuits) that they were abruptly pulled from shelves. Today, with stricter safety rules, it’s hard to imagine toys like these ever making it into kids’ hands. Let’s take a nostalgic look back at 14 iconic toys from the 80s that ended up being banned or discontinued and think about how times have changed.
1. Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid
These dolls were meant to “eat” pretend snacks by pulling them into their mouths with motorized jaws. Unfortunately, they didn’t discriminate between plastic snacks and kids’ hair or fingers. They were recalled in 1997 after some horrifying incidents, but the 80s kids who had them remember their short-lived magic.
2. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
The quintessential backyard game, Lawn Darts were a summer staple—until people realized flinging weighted metal spikes around wasn’t the safest idea. After reports of serious injuries, they were banned in 1988. These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything quite as risky on toy shelves.
3. Clackers
These acrylic balls on a string were a playground phenomenon in the early 80s. Kids would slam them together to make noise, but they often shattered, sending sharp shards flying. They disappeared quickly after safety concerns, though they live on in fond (if slightly bruised) memories.
4. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Toy
This spaceship toy had a spring-loaded missile launcher, which was all the rage in the 80s. But when a child tragically choked on one of the missiles, toy safety standards shifted overnight. It became the reason you rarely see projectile toys without some sort of foam tip today.
5. Slip ‘N Slide
A backyard favorite, the Slip ‘N Slide was thrilling for kids but not so much for teens or adults, who could suffer serious injuries if they used it. By the late 80s, warnings discouraged anyone over 12 from sliding, but it’s hard to forget the rush of running and diving headfirst into the fun.
6. Sky Dancers
These whimsical dolls, launched by a ripcord, soared through the air—sometimes unpredictably. They looked magical, but they were pulled from shelves in the late 90s after numerous injuries from the flying toys hitting faces or eyes. Still, for a moment, they made kids feel like they could fly.
7. Shrinky Dinks
While Shrinky Dinks are still around in a safer, updated form, the 80s versions were made with materials that could release harmful fumes if not used properly. Nostalgic fans remember baking these colorful creations and watching them shrink, though some parents were understandably wary of the potential hazards.
8. Easy-Bake Oven (Early Models)
The Easy-Bake Oven was a dream toy for aspiring bakers, but earlier models posed significant burn risks due to the exposed light bulb heating element. It’s still around today, but the design has been revamped to meet modern safety standards. For 80s kids, though, nothing beat the excitement of baking your own tiny cakes.
9. Power Wheels Barbie Corvette
Power Wheels were the height of cool in the 80s, but the Barbie Corvette faced recalls due to faulty wiring that could cause fires. While these little cars were eventually made safer, the original model gave new meaning to playing with fire.
10. Slap Bracelets
Slap bracelets were the ultimate fashion accessory for kids in the late 80s, but their metal cores would sometimes poke through the fabric, causing injuries. They vanished for a while, only to return years later in a safer, nostalgia-fueled form.
11. Creepy Crawlers
This toy let kids “bake” rubbery bug molds in a mini oven. While the concept was wildly fun, the hot metal trays often caused burns. Today’s version is a lot tamer, but 80s kids remember the thrill of making gross creations—even if it came with a few singed fingers.
12. Zizzle Zoundz
This electronic music toy seemed futuristic at the time, but its sharp-edged pieces and small parts were a choking hazard. While it didn’t last long, it gave kids a taste of creating their own soundscapes—a glimpse into the music-mixing apps we see today.
13. Buckyballs
These magnetic desk toys were marketed as stress relievers for adults but quickly found their way into kids’ hands. The high-powered magnets were dangerous if swallowed, leading to an eventual recall. They’re remembered fondly for their mesmerizing possibilities but also for the havoc they could cause.
The toys of the 80s often came with a sense of freedom and creativity that’s hard to replicate today. Sure, some of them were a little risky—or downright dangerous—but that’s part of what made them so memorable. They remind us of a time when play felt boundless, even if it meant a trip to the ER once in a while.
