Everyone remembers the pure joy of getting their hands on a longed for toy during their childhood, whether you saved up your pennies or excitedly tore open the birthday wrapping to reveal exactly what you'd wished for.
But in the '60s and '70s, many toys came without any warning of the dangers hidden inside. From choking hazards to electric shocks, harmful chemicals and risky garden darts, there was plenty to fear in the toy boxes of yesteryear. Read on to find out which of your own go-to toys brought a dose of danger...
© Toronto Star via Getty ImagesRiveting might not sound, well, riveting to kids today, providing them with a construction tool of their very own.
Riviton Construction Set
Can we fix it? Yes we can! But not with the original Parker Brothers' Riviton construction kit. Rubber rivets and plastic shapes provided kids with hours of fun, providing them with a riveting tool of their very own.
It wasn't the deadly nature of DIY that had these recalled, but the smaller pieces included in the set. Toy Expert Peter Jenkinson, explains, "In 1978, Parker Brothers withdrew around 900,000 sets after two child deaths were associated with this product."
© Getty ImagesClackers introduced an element of danger to the playground
Clackers
Clackers were the toy industry's answer to conkers with a more dangerous twist. Toyologist Peter Jenkinson explains, "Clackers became a playground sensation in the early 1970s, with children swinging the balls until they smacked together above and below their hands."
However, with a risk of shattering, splintering or a strong thump to the forehead, it's not too surprising that these portable safety hazards were withdrawn from sale in Britain.
Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker
Before the slime generation were mixing up gooey concoctions on the playroom bench, Mattel's Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker provided the equipment for kids to create their own rubber insects. The kit included metal moulds, Plasti-Goop and – here's the dangerous bit – an electric heating unit. Peter explains, "The mould was heated to around 390°F, undermining the phrase 'children's craft toy'."
The idea dates back to 1964 but ov 60 years on, it seems unlikely modern parents would be willing to provide their children with the makings of a house fire, just to get a couple of hours of peace and quiet.
© Getty ImagesChemistry sets had more dangerous potential than today's editions
Risky chemistry sets
"Vintage sets contained real chemicals, glass equipment and experiments far removed from today's vinegar-and-bicarbonate approach," Toy Expert Peter says.
Thanks to further regulations in the '60s and '70s, hazardous substances and dangerous equipment were shelved and the modern chemistry set is a far less deadly rainy-day activity.
© Getty ImagesIt sounds more 19th- than 20th-century, but the dangers of lead carried over into the '60s
Lead-painted soldiers
Toddlers investigate their small part of the world by sticking household objects in their mouths. If overseen correctly, it's a harmless part of development – that is, until their toys come with a side helping of lead.
Our Toy Expert explains, "Brightly painted toy soldiers, dolls and other vintage playthings could contain levels of lead that would horrify modern parents, and rightly so. Britain introduced restrictions on lead and other toxic substances in toy paint from the 1960s onwards, with later rules tightening the limits further."
© Getty ImagesCelluloid dolls were a key part of playtimes past, but came with a fiery threat
Celluloid dolls
Creepy or cute, opinions are still split over these horror-movie ready baby dolls but they're still remembered as a definitive part of any vintage toy box.
Unfortunately, the dolls came with a dangerous downside. "Highly flammable cellulose nitrate was once widely used for dolls and other playthings," Peter explains. "Britain responded by prohibiting toys made from celluloid under its toy-safety regulations."
© Getty ImagesJarts led to three child deaths before being banned from sale
Jarts
Lawn games are still a favourite today, from oversized chess to foot golf and all-time classic croquet. But Jarts attempted to transform pub-dwelling favourite darts into a supersized activity for all the family.
Toy Expert Peter explains that these 'toys' were "responsible for serious injuries and three child deaths in the US before the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned their sale in 1988." A much-needed end to a risky garden game.
Toy phonograph
With vinyl making a major comeback, it might be tempting to get your kids involved early on with their own miniature phonograph. But keep them far away from the more risky record players of the 1970s which provided a hefty electrical shock hazard alongside the grooviest of tunes.
Peter explains that at least one model sold in the '70s posed a risk, saying: "In 1977, America's Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled the Teletone Model 54740 because it failed electrical safety requirements and banned it from sale. Today, giving a child a record player is charming. Giving them an electrically unsafe one is a very different vintage experience."
© Getty ImagesThe original train sets of the '60s would send modern parents off the rails
Mains-powered toy trains
Like Scalextric sets, the appeal of a toy train track doesn't diminish with age. But they used to be powered by mightier stuff, plugging sets with faulty wiring and excessive voltage into the mains electrical supply and providing kids with a shock risk.
Toyologist Peter details the subsequent changes made, saying: "Britain moved to require kids’ electrical toys to operate at low voltage, US regulators recalled and banned non-compliant toy-train transformers." Toy trains are, officially, back on track.
