25 Kids’ Toys Banned For Strange Reasons

Power Rangers Light-Up Sabers” were the ultimate toy for any fan of the hit TV show! These super cool swords had a light-up feature that added an extra layer of excitement to playtime. Unfortunately, these beloved toys were banned in the US in 2002 due to a small, cylindrical light bulb inside the plastic casing that posed a choking hazard for young children.

These colorful dots could be arranged into various designs and then sprayed with water to fuse them. However, in 2007, “Aqua Dots” were banned in the US due to the presence of a chemical called 1,4-butanediol. When ingested, this chemical can convert into GHB, a central nervous system depressant that has been used as a date rape drug. 

“Clacker balls” were banned in the United States in the 1970s because they were considered a choking hazard. The balls, which were made of two hard acrylic hemispheres that were connected by a hinge, could break easily and produce sharp shards that posed a risk of injury. In addition, the balls made a loud noise when they were played with, which could be annoying to some people.

“Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future” was a popular toy line and accompanying TV show that was released in 1987. The toys featured small, handheld “phasers” that could be used to shoot beams of light at targets or the TV screen during the show. However, the toy line was eventually banned in the US because it was found to emit a potentially harmful beam when used with the TV show. The beam was deemed to be potentially harmful to the eyes of young children and could cause serious injuries. 

Players would take turns throwing small, weighted darts at a circular target on the ground, trying to get as close to the center as possible. The game was a hit in the 1970s and 1980s, but unfortunately, it was banned in the UK in 1988 due to safety concerns. The heavy weight of the darts and their sharp points made them a hazard, particularly for young children.

Remember “Furbies”? They were hugely popular toys in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were electronic, interactive creatures that could move and make sounds on their own. Because they were too distracting to students, some schools in the US banned these furry little toys. 

“Laser Pointers” are handheld devices that emit a beam of concentrated light, typically used for pointing at objects or as a presentation aid. Unsurprisingly, “Laser Pointers” were banned in some schools in the US because they were found to be a distraction. 

“Super Soaker” water guns are a type of toy that shoots a stream of water when squeezed. They were popular in the 1990s and are still enjoyed by many today. However, in the US some cities banned “Super Soaker” water guns because they were found to be a disturbance and could potentially be used to cause harm to others. 

“Socker Boppers” are inflatable toys that are meant to be worn on the arms and used for play-fighting. However, “Socker Boppers” were banned in some cities in the US because they were found to be a choking hazard and could cause serious injuries or even death if swallowed. The small size of the inflatable parts and the risk of them being swallowed made the toy a potential hazard.

“Cabbage Patch Kids” have been around since the 1980s and have won the hearts of kids and adults alike. However, “Cabbage Patch Kids” dolls were unfortunately banned in some cities in the US due to safety concerns. The small size of the dolls’ parts posed a choking hazard, and there was a risk of them being swallowed, which could lead to serious injuries or even death. Despite the ban, “Cabbage Patch Kids” remain a beloved and popular toy for many collectors.

Who doesn’t remember “Tamagotchi”? This digital pet toy was popular in the 1990s. Players had to care for it by feeding it, playing with it, and cleaning up after it. However, “Tamagotchi” was banned in some schools in the US because the beeping sound and the need for attention from the player could disrupt the learning environment.

Everybody has heard of squirt guns. But did you know that they were banned in some US cities? Squirt guns are toys that shoot a stream of water when squeezed. They are popular with children and are often used for play-fighting. However, if misused, squirt guns could be used to cause harm to others.

“Sky Dancers” were popular in the 1990s. They are a type of toy that consists of a plastic base and a figure with spinning, propeller-like wings. When the base is wound up and the figure is released, the wings spin, and the figure “dances” in the air. However, “Sky Dancers” were found to be a choking hazard and could cause serious injuries or even death if swallowed.

“Moon Shoes” are footwear for kids who want to feel like they’re walking on the moon! These funky shoes consist of a rubber or elastic band that fits over the foot and has a small trampoline-like surface on the bottom. With a pair of “Moon Shoes,” kids can bounce and jump to their heart’s content, simulating the experience of walking on the moon. Unfortunately, “Moon Shoes” were banned in some places due to safety concerns. The unpredictable bounce and the risk of tripping and falling made the toy a potential hazard.

“Slip ‘N Slide” is a type of backyard water toy that consists of a long, plastic mat coated with a slick surface and attached to a garden hose. Players can slide down the mat and into a pool of water at the end. However, “Slip ‘N Slide” could cause serious injuries or even death.

I bet you didn’t know that “Yo-Yos” had been banned in some places! Everybody knows that a “Yo-Yo” is a type of toy that consists of a small spool attached to two strings. Players can make the yo-yo spin by pulling the strings and can perform various tricks by manipulating the strings. However, “Yo-Yos” were banned in some schools in the US because they were found to be a distraction and could potentially cause injuries if used improperly.

“Poo-Dough” is a gross-out toy for kids, but that’s not why it was banned. This funky clay is designed to look and smell like feces, providing endless opportunities for gross and giggly play. “Poo-Dough” was banned in some countries in the 1990s due to concerns about harmful chemicals. The presence of these chemicals made the toy a potential hazard, leading to the ban in some countries.

These tiny plastic building blocks are equipped with magnets on the ends, allowing players to connect them and build all sorts of amazing structures and shapes. “Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets” were banned in the US in 2006 due to safety concerns. The small size of the toy and the risk of the magnets coming loose and being swallowed made the toy a potential hazard. 

“Snap Bracelets” consist of a strip of metal covered in fabric or rubber. The bracelet is designed to snap and curl around the wrist when it is stretched and released. However, “Snap Bracelets” were banned in some schools and other public places in the 1990s because they were found to be a choking hazard.

“Easy-Bake Ovens” are a type of toy oven that allows children to bake small snacks using special mixes and light bulbs as the heat source. However, “Easy-Bake Ovens” were banned in the US in 2013 because they were found to be a burn hazard and could cause serious injuries. The heating element, which was located close to the food, could cause burns to the hands and faces of children.

“Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys” are a popular brand of toy trains and train sets that are made of wood. However, “Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys” were banned in the US in 2016 because they were found to contain high levels of lead, which can cause serious health problems if ingested. 

“Fidget Spinners” claim to be the ultimate stress reliever for those who need a little extra help focusing! These nifty toys consist of a small, ball-bearing-based device that can be spun between the fingers, providing a physical outlet for energy and helping people with anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) focus. Ironically, “Fidget Spinners” were banned in some schools in the 2010s due to concerns about distraction and potential misuse.

These chocolate eggs that contain a small toy inside continue to be a popular treat for children around the world. But did you know that they were banned in the US in 1997 because they were found to be a choking hazard? 

“Buckyballs” consist of small, powerful magnets that can be shaped and molded into various forms. However, “Buckyballs” were banned in the US in 2012 because they could cause serious injuries or even death if swallowed. 

Coming at number 1, “Squeaky Baby Dolls”, which are a type of toy doll that makes a squeaking sound when squeezed. Believe it or not, “Squeaky Baby Dolls” were banned in some countries in the 1980s because they were found to emit a potentially harmful gas when squeezed.