24 Toys From the 1960s You’d Never Find on Indiana Store Shelves Today

In Indiana homes during the 1960s, toy boxes were packed with items that would make today’s safety experts cringe.

From melting plastic to mini-explosions, some toys were more thrilling than thoughtful.

These toys were beloved in their time. But they definitely wouldn’t make it past today’s strict regulations.

The Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker

This toy let kids pour colorful liquid plastic—called Plasti-Goop—into metal molds and bake them using a heating element.

The result? Slimy rubber bugs that looked cool but came with a real risk of burns.

There was no protective casing around the hot plates, and curious hands often got too close.

It was wildly popular, but modern safety standards would never approve it for kids today.

Clackers

Clackers were two hard acrylic balls attached to a string that kids swung up and down to make them smack together.

The goal was to build enough rhythm and speed for a continuous clack-clack motion.

Unfortunately, the balls sometimes shattered on impact, sending sharp plastic pieces flying.

They were eventually pulled from shelves, and today they’d never make it through product testing.

Johnny Reb Cannon

This toy cannon let kids fire small plastic cannonballs using a spring-loaded mechanism.

Marketed with a Civil War theme, it was meant to be “historical” but ended up being controversial and unsafe.

The projectiles were powerful enough to cause injuries if aimed at people or pets.

It disappeared from stores and wouldn’t meet today’s stricter guidelines for projectile toys.

Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

This science kit actually included small amounts of radioactive material for kids to experiment with.

It came with real uranium ore, a Geiger counter, and instructions on how to conduct atomic tests.

While it was meant to be educational, it clearly crossed a line that modern toy makers would never go near.

It was pulled from the market quickly and is now remembered as one of the most dangerous toys ever sold.

Jarts (a.k.a. Lawn Darts)

Jarts were large metal-tipped darts meant to be tossed at targets in the yard.

They were fun for adults and kids alike—until too many people ended up in the emergency room.

The sharp ends could pierce skin and even cause life-threatening injuries.

After several accidents, they were banned and are now illegal to sell in many places.

Real Chemistry Sets with Hazardous Chemicals

1960s chemistry kits weren’t just for mixing colored water. They often included real acids, bases, and compounds that could burn skin or release fumes.

Some even contained potassium permanganate or ammonium nitrate, which can be reactive under the right conditions.

There were minimal safety warnings, and kids were encouraged to mix freely.

Modern kits are far safer, with non-toxic ingredients and clear parental guidelines.

The Vac-U-Form Toy Maker

This device let kids heat plastic sheets until soft, then mold them over shapes using a vacuum process.

The heating plate reached temperatures high enough to cause burns.

There were no guards or automatic shutoffs, just a plug, a switch, and lots of trust.

While it inspired creativity, today’s toys would require layers of safety protection to do the same thing.

Battling Tops with Metal Parts

The idea was simple: wind up your top and launch it into the ring to battle another.

The problem was, early versions used sharp-edged metal parts and strings that could snap back.

If two tops collided at the wrong angle, pieces could fly out of the arena.

Safer plastic versions later took over, but the original could be risky in the wrong hands.

Play Guns with Realistic Sounds and Flash

In the 1960s, toy guns looked and sounded a lot like the real thing.

Some cap guns used actual paper roll caps that produced small bangs and sparks.

Without orange tips or warnings, these toys often alarmed neighbors or worse.

They’re now heavily regulated, and realistic features are no longer allowed for children’s toys.

Wham-O Air Blaster

This toy used compressed air to fire a powerful invisible burst capable of knocking over cups or hats.

It seemed harmless, but if aimed at someone’s face, it could sting or even hurt the eyes.

It didn’t launch a physical object, so it flew under the radar of safety rules at the time.

Today, toys using air pressure are tightly regulated to avoid unintended injuries.

Shoots and Bangs: Exploding Cap Grenades

Some toy grenades from the 1960s were designed to explode with a loud pop when tossed.

They used roll caps or pressure-sensitive charges to mimic a real grenade blast.

The sound could be startling, and the devices sometimes misfired or exploded in a child’s hand.

With today’s concern about noise levels and projectile hazards, these toys would be a hard no for modern shelves.

Toy Cigarettes That “Smoked”

These novelty items let kids pretend to puff on a cigarette, complete with powder or sugar vapor that looked like smoke.

They were often sold at candy counters or packaged alongside other “grown-up” toys.

They encouraged imitation of adult habits long before health warnings became widespread.

Toys that mimic smoking are now banned in many places due to concerns about normalization and early exposure.

Zorro Playsets with Real Whips

Zorro was a popular TV hero, and kids wanted to dress the part—including the cape, mask, and whip.

Some sets included real leather or vinyl whips that could cause welts or eye injuries.

They were marketed as action gear but posed obvious dangers in unsupervised play.

Today’s costume accessories are much safer and made from soft, flexible materials.

Magic Shot Shooting Gallery

This toy used a puff of air to shoot lightweight pellets at cardboard targets inside a plastic case.

The mechanism seemed harmless, but the projectiles could pop out of the chamber at unexpected angles.

The force was enough to surprise or injure a curious sibling or pet.

Today, any toy that shoots an object must meet strict guidelines about distance, pressure, and age grading.

Water Wiggle Sprinkler

Marketed as a fun backyard sprinkler, this toy connected to a garden hose and flailed unpredictably.

If the internal nozzle detached, the toy could whip around violently and strike kids in the face or body.

Several injuries were reported, and it was eventually recalled from the market.

Modern water toys have safety valves and pressure controls to avoid this kind of risk.

Metal Playgrounds with Built-In Toys

Some 1960s toys weren’t even sold in stores—they were built into neighborhood playgrounds.

Metal jungle gyms came with integrated toy features like spinning wheels, spring-mounted rides, and sometimes even movable parts with sharp edges.

Surfaces got dangerously hot in the sun, and there was little cushioning beneath.

Many of these playground toys would be considered hazardous by today’s standards for impact and burn risk.

Miniature Electric Guillotines

As strange as it sounds, some science-themed toys featured working models of historical tools, like guillotines.

These weren’t life-sized, but they included a real falling blade mechanism for “educational purposes.”

The idea was to teach history or engineering, but it also came with a chance of pinched fingers or worse.

It’s hard to imagine any toy company pitching this idea now, let alone selling it.

Build-Your-Own Musket Kits

In an effort to make history feel hands-on, some 1960s kits let kids assemble mini muskets or toy rifles.

They weren’t fully functional weapons, but they included small working parts and sometimes even used caps for sound.

The goal was realism, but they too closely resembled real firearms for modern comfort.

Toys like these were phased out as concerns over safety and appearance grew.

Gas-Powered Model Airplanes

These weren’t remote-controlled, they had real combustion engines fueled by small amounts of gasoline or starter fluid.

The planes could fly short distances, but handling the fuel and spinning propellers posed major risks.

Starting one required precision and courage, especially for a kid.

Today’s model planes are battery-operated and far less dangerous to use.

Tin Toys with Sharp Edges

Many 1960s wind-up toys were made from thin stamped tin, painted with bright graphics.

They were affordable and fun, but the edges were sharp and could easily cut small fingers.

Moving parts like gears and wheels were often exposed, creating pinch points.

Modern toys use molded plastic for a reason: safety and durability.

Inflatable Toys with No Weight Limits

Some inflatable ride-on toys and bounce balls from the 1960s didn’t include any weight guidelines or usage warnings.

Kids of all sizes would hop, bounce, or ride without knowing how much pressure the toy could take.

Punctures and sudden deflations were common, often resulting in painful falls.

Today’s inflatable toys must meet strict labeling and durability standards to avoid these risks.

Fireworks Sold as Toys

In some areas during the 1960s, small fireworks like cherry bombs or cap-loaded rockets were marketed directly to kids.

They were often sold at toy counters or bundled in play kits for holidays.

There was little regulation, and accidents involving burns or property damage were far too common.

Fireworks are now heavily restricted, and they’re no longer treated as playthings for children.

Whistle Bombs and Air Rockets

These toys launched into the sky using pressurized air or gunpowder-based caps, producing a loud whistling sound.

While fun to watch, they could veer off course and hit nearby people or property.

There were also risks of premature ignition or faulty seals causing small explosions.

Modern toys with launch features are limited in range and must meet safety codes for propulsion and noise levels.

Sparker Pistols and Trick Lighters

Marketed as magic or novelty items, some toys used a flint wheel to produce real sparks.