10 Dangerous Toys from the Past That Prove Your Grandparents Were Made of Tougher Stuff
When we think of children’s toys today, safety standards are paramount. With regulations like the ASTM F963, the U.S. government ensures toys meet strict safety guidelines.
Modern toys are designed with soft materials, non-toxic paints, and rounded edges to minimize the risks of harm. However, this was not always the case. In the past, children’s toys were often far more dangerous, designed with far less consideration for safety and much more for fun, often pushing the limits of what was deemed acceptable for playthings.
The Belt Buckle Derringer Toy Gun- The Toy That Shot While You Walked
Back in 1959, Mattel released the Belt Buckle Derringer Toy Gun, a unique design that allowed kids to shoot a toy gun without using their hands. This toy, worn like a belt buckle, fired plastic bullets when the wearer thrust their hips forward.
While it may sound harmless, it was anything but. The toy often fired at unexpected moments and in unintended directions, leading to chaos as kids ran around, firing their guns simply by moving.
A.C. Gilbert’s Glass Blowing Kit- A Kit for Kids Who Wanted to Play with Fire
Imagine giving a child a blow torch to play with, well, that’s exactly what the A.C. Gilbert Company did in the 1920s.
They released a Glass Blowing Kit for Boys, which included a working blow torch, tubes for shaping molten glass, and instructions for experiments that involved holding hot glass in bare hands.
Austin Magic Pistol- A Toy Gun That Fired Ping Pong Balls Through Explosions
The Austin Magic Pistol was a futuristic-looking toy gun from the 1940s that could shoot ping-pong balls via a chemical reaction.
When water mixed with calcium carbide (referred to as “magic crystals”), it created a flammable gas that caused an explosion to propel the ball. The toy’s explosive nature made it a thrilling, yet hazardous, plaything.
Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker- A Toy Oven That Could Melt Your Skin
Introduced in 1964, Mattel’s Thingmaker toy allowed children to create plastic figurines called “Creepy Crawlers” using an oven that heated up to a dangerous 400°F (204°C).
The toy included a substance called Plasti-Goop, which children squirted into molds before heating them. While fun for creative minds, the risks of burns from the high temperatures, coupled with the toxic fumes from the Plasti-Goop, led to its discontinuation in the early ’70s.
Sixfinger- A Toy That Gave You an Extra Hand
The Sixfinger was a bizarre toy designed in the 1960s, featuring an extra “finger” that kids could wear between their thumb and index finger. Along with its odd design, this “finger” could shoot projectiles like missiles or cap gun shots.
The toy’s strange combination of functions and odd appearance made it a memorable, if odd, piece of toy history. The bizarre nature of Sixfinger left many wondering how such a peculiar product could have made its way into children’s hands.
Zero-M Sonic Blaster- A Toy Gun That Caused Hearing Loss
Mattel’s Zero-M Sonic Blaster from the 1960s was the perfect tool for every aspiring secret agent. The 34-inch-long blaster shot compressed air at such high decibels that it could cause permanent hearing damage.
Clackers- Dangerous Fun with Glass Balls
Clackers were popular in the ’60s and ’70s, consisting of two glass balls attached to a string that children could strike together to create a satisfying clacking sound.
While fun, the glass balls were prone to shattering upon impact, sending sharp shards flying. The toy’s dangerous design led to its FDA ban in 1971.
Zulu Blow Gun- A Toy That Could Make Kids Inhale Dangerous Objects
The Zulu Blow Gun, a favorite in the 1950s, was a simple toy, a tube from which kids could blow foam pellets.
However, the toy had a serious design flaw. When children sucked air into the tube to launch the pellets, it was not uncommon for them to inhale the foam pellets instead, potentially choking on them.
Baby Cages- A Toy That Suspended Babies from High-Rise Windows
Baby cages were a real thing in the 1920s to the 1950s, designed to provide fresh air to children living in cramped city apartments.
These cages were suspended from windows and often hung 10 stories above the ground. Though no fatalities were reported, the inherent risks of such devices are obvious.
Empire Little Lady Stove- A Cooking Toy That Could Burn You
In the 1950s, the Empire Little Lady Stove was marketed as a miniature stove for young girls.
However, its design included exposed burners that could reach 600°F (315°C). While the stove was intended to teach children how to cook, it posed a serious burn risk.
Conclusion
The toys of yesterday were far different from the safe, cushioned products we see today. From explosive chemical reactions to dangerously hot ovens, these toys reflect a time when the line between fun and danger was often blurred.
They remind us that previous generations were accustomed to taking risks in their play, an attitude that seems unimaginable in today’s world of safety-conscious parenting.
While some of these toys are now relics of the past, their stories continue to evoke curiosity about how much more daring children’s play once was.
