Comments on: From dumb to deadly: the world’s worst toys

By: Jenn the Hen

Jenn the Hen — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:18:51 +0000

I think they remade that Cabbage Patch kid because I had one that ate in the 90′s.

By: james

james — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:05:00 +0000

they still amke lawn darts
but instead of a metal end the end is a little fabric bag usually with a design on it filled with those styrofoam beads

By: Darkstar

Darkstar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:28:00 +0000

I WANTED lawn darts soooo bad! Still do! I had no problem playing with lawn darts as a kid. But then I wasn’t an idiot. I’m glad I grew up in the 70′s and 80′s before common sense and taking responsiblity for your actions disappeared completely. And the ‘Safety Nazi’s’ came and put an end to all the crazy fun! I remember the days when a good sharp pocket knife and a good multi-pump BB-gun were the best toys a boy could have! (And still are. Depending on how good a job the parents did raising their kids.) Besides the Lego’s, Hot Wheels or a Tyco race car set or a Train!

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:25:00 +0000

Creepy Crawlers Thing Maker!!! OMG! I had HOURS of fun. Never burned myself but had to change that water in the tray lots of times, I even melted it a bit once cuz I wasn’t paying attention of the evaporation.
I was selling my crawlers at school, til the kids didn’t have lunch money, and I got “busted”. I had a packed lunch. (I didn’t know where their money was comming from.) All I knew was I could buy more plastic goop to support my habit over the Thing Maker hot plate!) I even made both of my Grandpa’s fishing lures.
I even had a Batman mold, from the 60′s TV show.

We had Jarts, and just knew better then get “stupid” with them…besides if we didn’t kill ourselves, Dad would have if he got wind of it. They were alot of fun. Horseshoes were just too heavy to toss and the stakes were too far apart for youngsters.

I had that thing the you put on your ankle and jumped over. The grand kids would love to have those. I think I’ll take the suggestion and make a few for them. Let them know that you don’t always have to run to the store for “fun”.

Shall we talk about a good ole’ Gilbert Chemistry set?!? lol!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:43:48 +0000

Re: Lee post of 8/13/08 – I am looking for that hot wax mold toy! Do you remember the name of it? or who made it? I’ve been searching for a while and can’t find any info on it….I want one!
Contact me directly if you like.
mgoody@lelwd.com
Thanks,
Mike

By: Bookratt

Bookratt — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:39:44 +0000

I was trying to explain Lawn Jarts here in Poland, and parents from all nations were like “What?! You gave your kids flying metal spears and let them loose in the yard? Why not just give them guns? Oh wait, you already do that!”

For the record, I did my best to hold up the American side in that debate.

Was that hot-plastic flower thing called Pretty Petals by Whiting? My older sister had one–until she burnt herself so badly the ER doctor said to get rid of it. The new version of that toy is sissy stuff. Target sells it.

I got the Sunshine Family dolls and treehouse and a Spirograph. DD got the EZ bake oven and Pretty Petals.

And scars. Scars are cool.

By: Vickey

Vickey — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:58:49 +0000

What about the Kenner EZ bake oven?? Burned myself on that a few times.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:58:02 +0000

I had a thingmaker too. Had a blast with the insect molds. Only trouble was getting the goop to get into the smaller areas like the feet and antenna. Loads of fun but never burnt myself on it.

Also had a similar toy. You melted pieces of plastic (wax?) and poured the very hot liquid into molds of army men, tanks and jeeps. The molds weren’t to scale and everything was green, but it was fun. You could also re-melt the plastic to make different army men or equipment.

Lawn darts were fun. Didn’t know anyone who got hurt by them though. Interestingly enough, the F-16 in the Air Force is called a ‘lawn dart’ by it’s crews – probably because if you loose the single engine, it magically transforms from a multi-million dollar aircraft into a rather expensive lawn dart.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

By: sarah

sarah — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:30:54 +0000

i so remeber footsies.. not dangerous; just lame.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:43:14 +0000

Anyone remember Jillions of Jewels? I loved this! I don’t remember how it worked except that it melted stuff to make jewels and the settings to put them in. . . hmmm, come to think of it, I didn’t have it for very long…. I wonder why…..