ADVERTISEMENT

You can often find a lot of variety within a kid's toy collection. And I'm not just talking about old, noisy cars and soft, cuddly teddies.

This time, Bored Panda is focusing on creepy toys—those that parents hope their child will never notice or at least come across in the store because there's something disturbing about them. For example, Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings, who looks like an addict, or bootleg dolls with anatomical deformities.

So continue scrolling to check out some of the funniest, strangest, and downright scariest toys ever made. I don't know what the creators of these funny toys were hoping for, but these abominations are probably responsible for one too many nightmares.

#1

My Wife Asked If I Wanted To See The Creepiest Doll In Her Collection. I Was Not Prepared

My Wife Asked If I Wanted To See The Creepiest Doll In Her Collection. I Was Not Prepared

foolwiththefez Report

#2

Somebody's Drugged The Waterhole

Somebody's Drugged The Waterhole

CANT_TRUST_HILLARY Report

While I understand why people wouldn't like these creepy toys in their homes, shielding kids from scariness entirely isn't ideal either.

A survey of 1,003 UK parents by online bookseller The Book People found that 33% would steer clear of books for their children containing frightening characters. Asked about the fictional creations from children’s books they found scariest as kids, a fifth of parents cited the Wicked Witch of the West from L Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with the Child Catcher from Ian Fleming’s Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang in second place. Third was the Big Bad Wolf, in his grandmother-swallowing Little Red Riding Hood incarnation, fourth was the Grand High Witch from Roald Dahl’s The Witches, and fifth, Cruella de Vil, from Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

#3

Broken Leg? No Worries, The Doctor Has A Gun

Broken Leg? No Worries, The Doctor Has A Gun

darkman21 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

So I Bought An Already Creepy Looking Garfield Toy, But Then It Showed Up Vacuum Sealed, And Oh My God

So I Bought An Already Creepy Looking Garfield Toy, But Then It Showed Up Vacuum Sealed, And Oh My God

miragonz Report

#5

They Couldn't Find A Better Place To Blow Up This Toy

They Couldn't Find A Better Place To Blow Up This Toy

kiralkira Report

However, psychologist Emma Kenny told The Guardian that fear is a natural response. “When you are reading a scary story to a child, or they’re reading to themselves, the child has got a level of control – they can put it down, or ask you to stop. And the story can raise a discussion, in which they can explore and explain the way they feel about a situation.”

Being frightened by a book or creepy kids toys, according to the psychologist, “helps forge resilience.”

“The world can be a scary place – children will get into situations where they're told off by teachers, or fall out with friends. Knowing how to confront fear is a good thing.”

#6

Meanwhile In Australia

Meanwhile In Australia

greggobbard Report

#7

So I Was In The Toy Store And Saw This

So I Was In The Toy Store And Saw This

ksigler Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

Evil Looking Teddy Bear I Found In The Children's Section

Evil Looking Teddy Bear I Found In The Children's Section

rzyua Report

ADVERTISEMENT

The good thing is that many of us know that. At least intuitively. The Book People’s survey also discovered that while a third of parents avoided books with scary characters, 78% said that baddies helped children “differentiate between good and evil,” 53% that they helped children “learn to cope with difficult situations,” and 48% that they help conquer fears.

“Children are often being wrapped up in cotton wool,” Kenny added. “Risk and fear are something we need in childhood. We know that people who take risks, in the long term, do better than those who don’t … And how can you feel safe and secure until you know what it’s like to be afraid? Anything that gives you a wide range of emotions in a safe and controlled environment is great.”

#9

The Impossible Beauty Standards Of Chinese Dolls

The Impossible Beauty Standards Of Chinese Dolls

ClassyLion Report

#10

Pikachu? I Haven't Heard That Name In Years

Pikachu? I Haven't Heard That Name In Years

lurkingupvotetroll Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Yes, This Will Help My Child Learn About Proper Dental Care. Not Terrify Them

Yes, This Will Help My Child Learn About Proper Dental Care. Not Terrify Them

mldutch , EpicAblaze Report

#12

This Rather Disturbing Ball Launcher Toy

This Rather Disturbing Ball Launcher Toy

Mouthmouthmouth Report

Some of the most common childhood fears are:

  • Being alone;
  • The dark;
  • Dogs or other big animals;
  • Bugs;
  • Heights;
  • Getting shots or going to the doctor;
  • Unfamiliar or loud noises;
  • Imaginary monsters — the “thing” under the bed, etc.
#13

Another Fantastic Toy

Another Fantastic Toy

trob Report

#14

I Choose You, Chikapu

I Choose You, Chikapu

Sunflake685 Report

#15

Rubber Duckies That Float Upside Down

Rubber Duckies That Float Upside Down

zoerows Report

#16

A Ride-On Toy For Kids

A Ride-On Toy For Kids

roma_amor Report

But again, “Being afraid sometimes is a normal, healthy part of growing up,” says Elianna Platt, MA, LMSW, a licensed social worker. And, while kids do unfortunately sometimes face things that are truly frightening, most childhood fears, like these funny creepy toys, for instance, don't represent an actual threat — the “monster” in the closet is just an old coat you’ve been meaning to donate — which means they actually present an ideal chance for kids to work on their self-regulation skills. But for that to happen, parents have to address their own anxiety first.

ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Bear Anatomy Toy

Bear Anatomy Toy

angelbossrussell Report

#18

It Was Time For Thomas To Leave, He Had Seen Everything

It Was Time For Thomas To Leave, He Had Seen Everything

nunchuck-lady Report

#19

Blob Fish And Yoda Has Something Going Apparently

Blob Fish And Yoda Has Something Going Apparently

nickflemens Report

#20

McDonald's Happy Meal Toy

McDonald's Happy Meal Toy

theblondepenguin Report

“We want to give kids the chance to practice getting through difficult situations,” Platt adds, “but for a lot of parents, that’s easier said than done.”

When you see your child in distress, the natural response is to want to make it better, especially if the fix seems easy. But even though jumping in might help your child be less afraid in the moment, in the long run, it can actually make it more difficult for them to learn how to calm themselves down. “If kids get the message that mom or dad will always be there to do the comforting, there isn’t much incentive, or opportunity, to learn how to do it themselves.”

ADVERTISEMENT

So if they, for example, stumble across creepy toys, try to allow them to make sense of it on their own.

#21

They Should Have Thought About This Kinder Egg Toy A Little Longer

They Should Have Thought About This Kinder Egg Toy A Little Longer

Kiekoes Report

#22

Chinese LEGO Never Disappoint

Chinese LEGO Never Disappoint

reddit.com Report

#23

I Was In My Local Pet Store Looking For A New Dog Toy, Errm What?

I Was In My Local Pet Store Looking For A New Dog Toy, Errm What?

matt2709 Report

#24

My Pug Grow-In-Water-Toy That Was Only Half In The Water

My Pug Grow-In-Water-Toy That Was Only Half In The Water

Lil_Chapstick Report

Once you know that you're child is afraid of someone, let them know you're taking the situation seriously. “When a kid says something’s scary, there's a pretty good chance that we as adults don’t think it’s scary,” Rachel Busman, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, explained. “But we always want to start by validating their feelings.”

For example, instead of “Oh come on, that wasn't scary!” or “What is there to be afraid of?” try something like, “Wow, it sounds like you were scared!” or, “I know a lot of kids worry about that.” It goes without saying that even though we find these funny creepy toys on the list amusing, your kid might actually be frightened of them.

ADVERTISEMENT
#25

So I Found This Monkey In The Attic

So I Found This Monkey In The Attic

mostly_grapes Report

#26

I Found This At A Toy Store In Portland

I Found This At A Toy Store In Portland

sgraff25 Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Lord Of The Rings Toy (Bilbo Baggins) Looks Like An Addict

Lord Of The Rings Toy (Bilbo Baggins) Looks Like An Addict

socialcircleguy Report

#28

This Toy Ambulance Says "Meat" On It

This Toy Ambulance Says "Meat" On It

Tovmachnyk Report

Once you've offered reassurance it's important to move on quickly. "We don’t want to dwell on offering comfort around the scary thing, because even that can become reinforcing and take on a life of its own," Dr. Busman said. Rather, start talking about how you’ll work together to help him start feeling braver and get to the point where he’s able to manage the fear by himself.

#29

Vintage Clown Toys

Vintage Clown Toys

Contrariwise2 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

This Old Toothbrush With Bristles At The End Of The Barrel Of A Toy Gun - The Trigger Even Clicks When Pulled

This Old Toothbrush With Bristles At The End Of The Barrel Of A Toy Gun - The Trigger Even Clicks When Pulled

Da_Rish Report

#31

He Looks Like He Just Saw A Ghost

He Looks Like He Just Saw A Ghost

penina999 Report

#32

My Family And I Use This Gollum Toy To Hold The Money When We Play Cards

My Family And I Use This Gollum Toy To Hold The Money When We Play Cards

ExuberantBadger Report

But not all fears are the same. “[The ones] that don’t interfere with a child's life don't always need getting over,” Dr. Busman said.

So if your little one doesn’t like scary movies, for instance, that's fine. It may actually be a testament to his self-advocacy skills, Dr. Busman noted. “Deciding, ‘I don’t like these, I’m not going to watch’ is your child standing up for his needs and saying, 'This is my limit.'”

Which, I guess, kids said about most of these terrifyingly funny toys.

#33

My Boss Asked Me If I Could Make His Kids A Plush Toy. I Hope He Realizes That I Can Only Make Creepy Ones

My Boss Asked Me If I Could Make His Kids A Plush Toy. I Hope He Realizes That I Can Only Make Creepy Ones

Einheitsbrei Report

#34

TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Trolls

TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Trolls

SuicidalReviver Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

This Yoda Toy Kinda Looks Like Bill Cosby

This Yoda Toy Kinda Looks Like Bill Cosby

ElpredePrime Report

#36

Found This At A Toy Store

Found This At A Toy Store

MrGohan26 Report

#37

Defective Pikachonk

Defective Pikachonk

hamhold Report

#38

There's A Nightmare In My Boot

There's A Nightmare In My Boot

Report

#39

These Ride-A-Long Toys In A Mall

These Ride-A-Long Toys In A Mall

Guitar8907 Report

#40

Thomas Has Seen Better Days

Thomas Has Seen Better Days

reddit.com Report

#41

A Dollar Store Easter Toy That Shoots Foam Balls. But It's Not His Mouth, And It's Not His Nose

A Dollar Store Easter Toy That Shoots Foam Balls. But It's Not His Mouth, And It's Not His Nose

DragoTheFloof Report

#42

This Creepy LEGO Face I Found While Sorting Out A Box Of Toys

This Creepy LEGO Face I Found While Sorting Out A Box Of Toys

kitherarin Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

Lesa Sompsan

Lesa Sompsan

RadiantDoughnut0 Report

#44

The New Amiibo Look Cool

The New Amiibo Look Cool

ohanamodel Report

#45

Christmas Carol Dolls, Made To Look Like They're Singing

Christmas Carol Dolls, Made To Look Like They're Singing

juul_ian Report

#46

Batman From Infinity War

Batman From Infinity War

lionhearttwb Report

#47

This Quite Terrifying Dobby Toy I Came Across In The Range, UK

This Quite Terrifying Dobby Toy I Came Across In The Range, UK

squish-squish-beep Report

#48

Wanna Buy Some Babies In Jars?

Wanna Buy Some Babies In Jars?

sagitta42 Report

#49

This "Soda" Dog Toy That Looks Like Poop In A Cup

This "Soda" Dog Toy That Looks Like Poop In A Cup

TurkayLurkay Report

#50

Goku’s Ugly Twin

Goku’s Ugly Twin

ltyboss Report

Note: this post originally had 130 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda