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As simple as they might seem in concept, the truth is that making a good toy is harder than it seems. Many toys that represent human figures tend to invoke the uncanny valley, but some are so creepy that it’s unclear what parent’s would look at it and think “my child needs one of these.” At the same time, parents are also forced to search through the veritable ocean of bootlegs.

We’ve gathered some spectacular examples of bizarre, creepy or just downright weird toy design fails from across the internet. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.

#1

From What Level Of Hell Was This Retrieved?

From What Level Of Hell Was This Retrieved?

mausii Report

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Pyla
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankly, my weird goth a$$ would have made this a purse in the 90s

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#2

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

#3

The Quality Check Was Clearly Passed

The Quality Check Was Clearly Passed

moon_ladys_daughter Report

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Cat Chat
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They just knew people were still going to buy this one for the giggles. 🤣

G A
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone in the factory got bored on Friday afternoon

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On the face of it, toys really should not be creepy at all. Most folks would probably agree that playthings for children should, on average, be cute and inoffensive. However, toymakers also have to deal with the unfortunate reality that the items they make tend to be human or humanoid forms and, as it turns out, people have a weird aversion to this concept.

This is generally referred to as the uncanny valley, where “mostly” human figures make people nervous. We tend to be able to relate more to forms and figures that resemble us, but as these figures get closer and closer to perfectly resembling humans, there is a “drop,” or a valley which suddenly creates some revulsion.

#4

This "Hagrid" Doll I Bought 15 Years Ago In A Dollar Store Is Just A Repainted Lion From The Wizard Of Oz. Rocking His Mane, Ears, And Medal Of Courage

This "Hagrid" Doll I Bought 15 Years Ago In A Dollar Store Is Just A Repainted Lion From The Wizard Of Oz. Rocking His Mane, Ears, And Medal Of Courage

Magicst3v3 Report

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Some have, rather sensationally, suggested that this powerful aversion to “almost human” figures is some evolutionary response to alien doppelgangers. However, there is a significantly more logical explanation. It's the same reason rotten food, maggots and skeletons all, generally cause some degree of fear and disgust: being around dead things can be dangerous, and a corpse is perfectly in line with something “almost human.”

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In toys, the uncanny valley tends to show up most often in hyper realistic baby dolls. While it might not be as common of a toy anymore, there was a period of time when dollmakers were going through a sort of arms race to produce baby dolls. This included features like crying until it was “fed,” the ability to urinate and dynamic sounds, from sleeping to laughter.

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#10

Geocentric Solar System At A Public School's Playground

Geocentric Solar System At A Public School's Playground

cagranconniferim Report

#11

My Favorite Show Is Called The Americans

My Favorite Show Is Called The Americans

yarge33 Report

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Corvus
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#12

My Friend's Daughter Got A Veterinarian Kit For Her 4th Birthday, He Sent Me This

My Friend's Daughter Got A Veterinarian Kit For Her 4th Birthday, He Sent Me This

Kib717 Report

At a young age, this might all seem quite cool but as an adult, a very lifelike toy making noises and sometimes even “reacting” to movement and light (these sorts of features also exist) are probably the inspiration for horror movies about dolls and toys coming to life.

#13

Homer On Steroids

Homer On Steroids

jconja Report

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#16

SpongeBob Devourer Of Children

SpongeBob Devourer Of Children

The_Crow_33 Report

#17

Found This Toy At A Random Store. Nothing Makes Sense In This Toy

Found This Toy At A Random Store. Nothing Makes Sense In This Toy

Economy-Limit-5430 Report

#19

Mario Grew A Mustache Above His Nose

Mario Grew A Mustache Above His Nose

NoobVanNoob234 Report

#20

I'm A Benign Girl, In A Benign World

I'm A Benign Girl, In A Benign World

doc_two_thirty Report

#22

“Luigi, I Think Something Is Not Right”

“Luigi, I Think Something Is Not Right”

yaboyfriendisadork Report

#23

Jamaicachu: "Jamaica No Problem"

Jamaicachu: "Jamaica No Problem"

UrameshiYuusuke Report

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#24

This Bootleg Captain America Toy

This Bootleg Captain America Toy

AsydBurn Report

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Sleestak
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#26

You Had One Job

You Had One Job

darkangel_aphrodite Report

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Angelina Wilkins
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, this is how a lot of folks wear their makeup, with a face a totally different complexion than the rest of their body

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#27

I Don't Even Know What To Call This

I Don't Even Know What To Call This

MonkeMan1244 Report

#28

Dora Did Not Like What She Explored

Dora Did Not Like What She Explored

Rentaro-_- Report

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reuben kift
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somewhere there's The Terminator action figurine that comes with a pink, flowery backback.

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#29

Spiderman With His Famous Spider-Rifle

Spiderman With His Famous Spider-Rifle

heyrickyhowsitgerrrn Report

#30

I Have No Words

I Have No Words

UrameshiYuusuke Report

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Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see Captain America, fit Popeye, a guy with puffed-up cheeks who looks vaguely familiar, Spiderman, and what appears to be the disembodied head of Ben 10

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#32

Here Comes The Yellow Cat That Hates Saturdays: Barfyard

Here Comes The Yellow Cat That Hates Saturdays: Barfyard

IllustriousPaper1576 Report

#33

Spotted This Chimera At The Mall

Spotted This Chimera At The Mall

Weevelle Report

#34

Blursed Avengers

Blursed Avengers

lucasribeiro21 Report

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Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The person who packaged this probably thought "Mario Brothers, Batman, The Avengers...all the same thing..."

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#36

They Blocked The Middle Slide At The Playground

They Blocked The Middle Slide At The Playground

TAF_CJ_GAMING Report

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El Cucuy
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But yet, judging by all the shoe streaks on it, the kids found a way to still use it!

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#37

The Folks Installing The Playground Weren't Looking Too Closely

The Folks Installing The Playground Weren't Looking Too Closely

B34TBOXX5 Report

#38

I Think Wario Ingested A New Kind Of Mushroom. I Wonder What Mario Party He Went To

I Think Wario Ingested A New Kind Of Mushroom. I Wonder What Mario Party He Went To

ingeniuses Report

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#40

This Is A Toy That I Got Today. My Kid Removed It's Head To Reveal This. I Should Have Read The Text Properly, "Security And Non-Taxic". The Head Comes Off Very Easily, And It's Very Pointy

This Is A Toy That I Got Today. My Kid Removed It's Head To Reveal This. I Should Have Read The Text Properly, "Security And Non-Taxic". The Head Comes Off Very Easily, And It's Very Pointy

Organic_Pineapple_73 Report

#41

Any Idea Why My Kid Refused To Ride This?

Any Idea Why My Kid Refused To Ride This?

MsMaggieMcGill Report

#46

This Toy Parking Deck Has A Battery Compartment Without A Battery Compartment

This Toy Parking Deck Has A Battery Compartment Without A Battery Compartment

Jizzraq Report

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#48

This Burger King's Patrick Star Toy Is Actually Mr. Crab

This Burger King's Patrick Star Toy Is Actually Mr. Crab

cavallol Report

#49

Poor Woody And Buzz, What Have They Done To You?

Poor Woody And Buzz, What Have They Done To You?

MisterEd_ak Report

#50

I Found Some New Avengers Infinity War Figures. "Derp" Black Widow And "Calm But Clearly Not Amused Steve" Captain America

I Found Some New Avengers Infinity War Figures. "Derp" Black Widow And "Calm But Clearly Not Amused Steve" Captain America

j._tasca Report

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#51

Iron Deficiency Man

Iron Deficiency Man

UrameshiYuusuke Report

#52

Some Toy Company Made A Plush Of Meilin Lee From Turning Red, However They Forgot To Give It A Nose

Some Toy Company Made A Plush Of Meilin Lee From Turning Red, However They Forgot To Give It A Nose

UrameshiYuusuke , UrameshiYuusuke Report

#55

I Was Finally Able To See It

I Was Finally Able To See It

POGO_BOY38 Report

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#63

My Favorite Game, Mong Us

My Favorite Game, Mong Us

im_blue3 Report

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#64

Found This Giraffe With Five Legs In A Search-And-Find Book

Found This Giraffe With Five Legs In A Search-And-Find Book

OdenTheAnimator2007 Report

#67

Pokémon? Nah, I've Got Petbaby

Pokémon? Nah, I've Got Petbaby

UrameshiYuusuke Report

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#68

Pikachu Isn’t Looking Too Good

Pikachu Isn’t Looking Too Good

Liamrev2 Report

#69

I Found These Pikachus

I Found These Pikachus

Candid-Inside-4351 Report

#70

Hexagon, Star, Oval, Heart, Triangle, And… Round?

Hexagon, Star, Oval, Heart, Triangle, And… Round?

WhatTheHellLol1313 Report

#71

Muigi And Lario

Muigi And Lario

Thatsabigariel Report

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#72

This "Cartoon Plush" On Temu. Honestly, I'm Not Gonna Sleep After Seeing This

This "Cartoon Plush" On Temu. Honestly, I'm Not Gonna Sleep After Seeing This

SpookyPebble Report

#73

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

chinkiecommie Report

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, considering how he died, that seems in extremely poor taste, even for a knock-off O_O;

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#75

Mater, Is That You?

Mater, Is That You?

B0__B Report

#77

Kids' Boat At The Playground. Water Has Nowhere To Go

Kids' Boat At The Playground. Water Has Nowhere To Go

VarneyKing Report

#78

My Daughter's Toy Tablet Has No Word For The Letter "C". Clown? Cowboy? I Mean It's In German But Still A Lot Of Words With C

My Daughter's Toy Tablet Has No Word For The Letter "C". Clown? Cowboy? I Mean It's In German But Still A Lot Of Words With C

syskeyx Report

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#80

They Are Going Through Something

They Are Going Through Something

reddit.com Report

#82

This Puzzle In My Kid's Playground Which Can Never Be Right

This Puzzle In My Kid's Playground Which Can Never Be Right

StupidIgnore Report

#83

Darth Goblin: "You Know, I'm Something Of A Sith Lord Myself"

Darth Goblin: "You Know, I'm Something Of A Sith Lord Myself"

UrameshiYuusuke Report

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J K
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like an alternative costume of Mojo Jojo.

#84

Found These Bootleg Pokémon Cards At The Bootleg Anime Store In The Mall

Found These Bootleg Pokémon Cards At The Bootleg Anime Store In The Mall

nurtsacc Report

#85

Found This At My Local Dollar Store Yesterday

Found This At My Local Dollar Store Yesterday

Appropriate_Job_7148 Report

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Chonky Panda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't really get what's wrong with this one. It's just a slightly wonky Grinch?

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#86

Whoever Thought "Let's Make A Peppa Pig Toy Phone With No Off Switch"... It Malfunctions And Randomly Goes Off All The Time

Whoever Thought "Let's Make A Peppa Pig Toy Phone With No Off Switch"... It Malfunctions And Randomly Goes Off All The Time

TheNoodleCanoodler Report

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David
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my grandkids had a motion sensitive toy that would say things like "Come play with me!". It surprised me a couple of times when I knew I was home alone and it started talking.

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#87

These Burger King Toys

These Burger King Toys

ForJagler Report

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#88

Apparently My Daughter's Baby Doll Is Not Much Alive And Frozen

Apparently My Daughter's Baby Doll Is Not Much Alive And Frozen

rlovelock Report

#89

Super Heroes Avengers, Featuring A Swollen Captain America

Super Heroes Avengers, Featuring A Swollen Captain America

Spidertitans Report

#90

Average 2

Average 2

UrameshiYuusuke Report

#91

Aye Of Course, Sense Of Right Alliance On The Way

Aye Of Course, Sense Of Right Alliance On The Way

r_balboa8 Report

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Plinkety
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Herring1967 is UK comedian Richard Herring who, in his podcast, had a running joke for a while that every movie would be improved by putting a shrek in it.

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#92

Does Nintendo Know About It?

Does Nintendo Know About It?

TituCusiYupanqui Report

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#93

Today's Playground Counting Lesson With My Toddler Became Disappointing. Look At Numbers Six And Nine

Today's Playground Counting Lesson With My Toddler Became Disappointing. Look At Numbers Six And Nine

gomerfile Report

#95

Thanos

Thanos

jconja Report

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Abel
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From an universe where Thanos was interpreted by Ron Perlman.

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#96

The Terrible Physical Bootleg

The Terrible Physical Bootleg

jaxsterrapp Report

#98

My Daughter's Toy Piano Key Labeling

My Daughter's Toy Piano Key Labeling

Boleyn01 Report

#99

Minion Toy With Broken Eyes

Minion Toy With Broken Eyes

mirxyan Report

#100

I Got This A While Back. The Only Reason I Got It Was Because Rapunzel Is In The Cinderella Box

I Got This A While Back. The Only Reason I Got It Was Because Rapunzel Is In The Cinderella Box

barbie_doll_collecter Report

#101

My Sad Christmas

My Sad Christmas

transphotobabe Report

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Upstaged75
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the nose. The mouth is below it in pink. Although at first it does look like a frown.

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#102

Found This Gem In A 2-Dollar Shop. Had To Take A Picture

Found This Gem In A 2-Dollar Shop. Had To Take A Picture

reddit.com Report

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TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard Pei Pei Pig is a famous original show from China, so no clue what's wrong here! /s

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#104

Found These Extremely Derpy Eeveelutions At Our Town Festival

Found These Extremely Derpy Eeveelutions At Our Town Festival

Maqya Report

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TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey guys, did you know that in terms of... oh wait, it's a Glaceon

#107

Care To Explain?

Care To Explain?

alltimealix Report

#108

From Bentendo: The Acqua Brink With 1 Included Title: Ocean Funny Game. Only $12

From Bentendo: The Acqua Brink With 1 Included Title: Ocean Funny Game. Only $12

IllustriousPaper1576 Report

#110

Umm What? Toy Fail

Umm What? Toy Fail

bttfdmc1984 Report

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Carl Roberts
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't a bootleg, or an error. He's wearing coconut shells. It's in the movie.

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