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Quite a few of us likely remember our favorite toy from back when we were kids. For some it might be a Teletubby, so washed out over the years it’s difficult to guess if it’s Laa-Laa or Dipsy looking back at them; for others it can be anything from toy cars, to dolls, blocks, or even a bunny made out of an old sock.

While some of such old toys show clear signs of time relentlessly passing us by, others somehow look even worse when brand new. You probably see where this is headed and yes, you’re right—today, we have prepared a list of some awful-looking toys for you to browse, some of which were made according to a terrible, terrible design, while others have suffered from a manufacturing defect and similar misfortunes. Scroll down to find them on the list below and see what nightmare-of-a-toy current children might be looking back at with eyes full of sentiments decades later.

In order to learn more about how playing with toys can affect children's development, Bored Panda turned to the psychologist and author of Playful Parenting, Lawrence Cohen, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions. You will find his thoughts in the text below.

#1

The Description Is Spot-On

The Description Is Spot-On

jdk906 Report

#3

I Saw This T-Rex Squirt Gun In The Toy Aisle Of My Local Grocery Store. I Bought It Because Of The Trigger Placement

I Saw This T-Rex Squirt Gun In The Toy Aisle Of My Local Grocery Store. I Bought It Because Of The Trigger Placement

BigJimNorton Report

In a recent interview with Bored Panda, the psychologist and Playful Parenting author Lawrence Cohen suggested that even though less significant than the people in children’s lives, toys, too, can play an important role in the little one’s development.

“Children need objects to manipulate, to apply their minds to, and to help them discover the world,” he said, adding that in the old days, this was done through everyday objects—natural and man-made—such as water, sand, cups, sticks, rocks, trees, cooking items, and dress-up clothes. Though, according to the expert, to be a great toy, it must be as good or better than these things—safer, more durable, more appealing to the child.

#4

Hair Fell Off The Doll, Now My Daughter Walks Around With A Middle-Aged Balding Friend

Hair Fell Off The Doll, Now My Daughter Walks Around With A Middle-Aged Balding Friend

Zandor8000 Report

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#5

Finally Added This Rafiki Toy To My Collection

Finally Added This Rafiki Toy To My Collection

trashcanfigures Report

Coming back to the importance of other people’s involvement in playtime—be it the kid’s parents, teachers, or nannies—Dr. Cohen suggested that children benefit from both, playing together and on their own.

“Children need both. The most important role for adults is to make sure children have lots of time for free play, a safe place to play, freedom to create and determine their own play, and interesting creative open-ended materials.”

#6

It Looks Like My Daughter's Doll Has Already Been Through A Lot

It Looks Like My Daughter's Doll Has Already Been Through A Lot

iron_guitarist1987 Report

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Nikole
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She can see the past and the future. The similarity is terrifying.

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#8

This Space Barbie Set That Has The Solar System Diagram That Is Completely Wrong

This Space Barbie Set That Has The Solar System Diagram That Is Completely Wrong

Earth and Venus are apparently in the same orbit. Mars seemingly does not exist. There is a new pink planet and a purple planet with a ring.

Impossible34o_ Report

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As a matter of fact, according to the psychologist, toys aren’t even always necessary for a child to engage in playtime. “Babies love to use a grown-up’s face as a toy. Toddlers and preschoolers love to walk and run and climb and make noises and see all the things their bodies can do,” he pointed out.

However, the expert suggested that, when children do use toys, they need to be more interesting than the box they came in. “Most are not,” he told Bored Panda.

#10

My Son Just Asked Me Why The Tiger Had A Little Flower Under Its Tail. Thanks For The Detail LEGO

My Son Just Asked Me Why The Tiger Had A Little Flower Under Its Tail. Thanks For The Detail LEGO

Cichlidsaremyjam Report

#11

You Know These Creepy Life-Size Dolls? Creepier Still Is In The Box That They Come In

You Know These Creepy Life-Size Dolls? Creepier Still Is In The Box That They Come In

Chaseshaw Report

The point that a toy should be more interesting than the packaging it came in is especially relevant nowadays, when a box is more than a way to transport the toy from point a to point b.

According to Design Force, one of the main roles of toy packaging in mass retail is to make it stand out from a sea of all kinds of items in a matter of seconds. Unless people come to the toy store looking for something specific, it’s very likely that the decision to pick up one item instead of another is purely an impulsive one. And that’s when appealing packaging comes in handy, as it can help catch the buyer’s eye and boost the sales. However, the toy itself shouldn’t be outshined by its box.

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#12

These Silicone "Fidget Toys" Smelling/Looking/Feeling Like Fruit Snack. Please Don't Sell These To Kids

These Silicone "Fidget Toys" Smelling/Looking/Feeling Like Fruit Snack. Please Don't Sell These To Kids

NastaciaLove Report

#14

The Teddy Bear With The Muzzle Rotated 90 Degrees

The Teddy Bear With The Muzzle Rotated 90 Degrees

ThatRandonNerd Report

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

When I was a kid, I’d always find the stuffed animals like this in the store/bin and beg my mom to let me get them, because they were “a little weird” and I was convinced no other kids would want to buy them XD

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Design Force pointed out that during the pandemic, consumers showed great interest in the toys and games category while shopping online, likely because with people all over the world spending days on end in their homes, they had to keep their little ones—arguably themselves, too—occupied. Between 2019 and 2020, the category reportedly saw an increase in page views by a whopping 135%.

According to data presented by the NPD Group, despite the slight—and by slight, I mean roughly 0.2%—decrease in sales in 2022 (compared to sales in 2021), for the three years leading up to it, the toy industry in the US had experienced rather strong growth, going from $22 billion in 2019 to $25.7 billion in 2020, and $29.2 billion in 2021.

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#16

Quite A Big Construction

Quite A Big Construction

Cajaran Report

Outdoor and sports toys seem to be the main driving force of the toy industry, as they accounted for roughly $5.2 billion in sales in 2022, Statista reports. As for its biggest players, the Danish company LEGO, the Japanese toy manufacturer Bandai Namco, and the US companies Hasbro and Mattel seem to top the list.

#18

My Niece Got One Of These Unicorn Toys With A Golden Carrot For Her Birthday (Not My Niece In The Photo)

My Niece Got One Of These Unicorn Toys With A Golden Carrot For Her Birthday (Not My Niece In The Photo)

ManuelArafat Report

#19

How's This For An Action Figure? Toys At The 99-Cent Store

How's This For An Action Figure? Toys At The 99-Cent Store

nice_guy_e Report

#20

Clearly Haunted Zuckerberg's Doppelganger Doll, Found By My Friend's Mum On Vinted

Clearly Haunted Zuckerberg's Doppelganger Doll, Found By My Friend's Mum On Vinted

BobKickflip Report

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A ten-year-long empirical study of Toys that Inspire Mindful Play And Nurture Imagination (TIMPANI), carried out by the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University, found that some toys are more likely to inspire quality play than others. The ones that do the most reportedly have to meet one of the three criteria of being simple, open-ended, or non-realistic.

The first point emphasizes that in order for a child to immerse themselves in rich play, the simpler the toy, the better, as with them, kids are more likely to use their imagination while playing. A toy with lots of sounds, buttons, and other pieces works more like entertainment rather than means for mindful play.

#21

My Son's Birthday Dinosaur Balloons Came Anatomically Correct

My Son's Birthday Dinosaur Balloons Came Anatomically Correct

JT3013 Report

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Jayjay
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh well, where would YOU put the air tube? At its throat? Then you would associate with the movie deep throat. A dirty mind is a joy forever!

Bookworm
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or incorrect, since dinosaurs almost definitely didn't have those parts. It would have been a birdlike 'single opening' arrangement.

Jasmijn
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s called a cloaca. And it’s still debated if some theropod dinosaurs had cloaca or if they had penises like ostriches and ducks do. As demonstrated by male ducks, some penises can be very…uh, dexterous. But if T-rex did have a penis, it’s estimated it could be as large as 5-6ft long.

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Lady Gypsy Rain
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh My Goodness! I laughed too hard at this. That Dino would be kicking himself in the balls worth every step. 😂

Smitin
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if that is anatomically correct, there would have been way more dinosaurs than we thought.

Smitin
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the makers of Dinky Cars and Shrinkydinks?

EnderMuffin123
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ears popped and my head almost exploded trying not to laugh lmao

Mia Bouhan
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen so many of these by now that it seems to be purposeful

me McG
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If'n that's a hemi ... then that thar's one Tyrana-sore-a$$.

MikeInSociety (they/them)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This got me rolling on the floor so bad that the dead dinosaurs rolled with me too

Justin Rogers
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except dinosaurs, reptiles and birds have vents and not outies

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#22

This Kids' Toy Had One Thing It Was Supposed To Teach

This Kids' Toy Had One Thing It Was Supposed To Teach

thekidwiththefa Report

#23

Superman Or Quasimodo?

Superman Or Quasimodo?

patrick.retro Report

The second feature of toys that make children actively engage in mindful play is being open-ended. According to the researchers, while toys with specific instructions or ways of using them can be beneficial, open-ended ones allow the little ones to delve deeper into the creative processes while playing.

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The third aspect of them bearing no resemblance to something that exists in real life plays a similar role and allows children to use their imagination more as they make decisions about what such toys are and how they should be used.

#25

This Little Toy Has 13 Tags

This Little Toy Has 13 Tags

Your__Average__Weeb Report

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Alex Boyd
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my niece was little she called the tags on stuffed animals the "butt note.". This guy has a lot of butt notes.

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#26

I Should Have Bought It

I Should Have Bought It

koderz Report

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So that's why Cinderella almost missed her ride. She wasn't dancing with the prince. She was drinking!

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Whether it’s a toy that inspires mindful play or something that stimulates kids because of how loud and bright it is, one thing is clear: neither one might seem like an appealing option if the design is as bad as it is in some of these pictures.

However, if for some reason you enjoyed browsing these pictures, Bored Panda has more terrible toy designs in store for you, so continue with another collection, which you can find here or here.

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#27

Worst Slide Design Ever. Worst Six Feet Of My Life

Worst Slide Design Ever. Worst Six Feet Of My Life

Ryguychu Report

#28

This Knock-Off Paw Patrol Toy I Saw At A Fair Today

This Knock-Off Paw Patrol Toy I Saw At A Fair Today

russinpaket Report

#29

My Baby's Crinkle Toy Has A Weird Typo

My Baby's Crinkle Toy Has A Weird Typo

mswier11 Report

#30

I Was Wondering Why It Was The Only Elsa Doll Left

I Was Wondering Why It Was The Only Elsa Doll Left

SGuard15 Report

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#31

This Mini-Hippo Toy Looks Like It's Pooping Tags

This Mini-Hippo Toy Looks Like It's Pooping Tags

_WhoisMrBilly_ Report

#32

Bath Toy's Paint Rubbed Off In The Water. Now The Bathtub, Bath Water, And My Son All Are Blue

Bath Toy's Paint Rubbed Off In The Water. Now The Bathtub, Bath Water, And My Son All Are Blue

spenkan Report

#33

Kid's Toy Has A Place To Put Batteries, But Has No Electronics Inside

Kid's Toy Has A Place To Put Batteries, But Has No Electronics Inside

Dr_Captain Report

#34

Now Available At The 99-Cent Store, Train-Wreck Barbie

Now Available At The 99-Cent Store, Train-Wreck Barbie

djmancat Report

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#35

This Flash Toy Is Just A Batman Toy With Different Paint

This Flash Toy Is Just A Batman Toy With Different Paint

Bobofett4 Report

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Rich Walker
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a legit costume from The Flash movie, where the second Barry Allen repurposes a Batman Costume, sprays it red and wears it alongside the other Flash.

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#36

This Bootleg Thanos Snapping With The Wrong Hand

This Bootleg Thanos Snapping With The Wrong Hand

ZekeLeap Report

#37

This Doll I Saw At Goodwill Appears To Be Choking On Something

This Doll I Saw At Goodwill Appears To Be Choking On Something

LCFarrar Report

#38

This Doll At A Flea Market Looks Depressed

This Doll At A Flea Market Looks Depressed

RealMainer Report

#39

This Misprint On A McDonald's Toy

This Misprint On A McDonald's Toy

Mahote Report

#40

I Guess The Front Barbie Is Sitting On A Bar

I Guess The Front Barbie Is Sitting On A Bar

ToastyCat19 Report

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#43

Un-Bear-Able Nose

Un-Bear-Able Nose

nayrnn Report

#45

Turns Out The Elephant-Duck Is A Thing. My Birth Mom Randomly Bought This For My Daughter

Turns Out The Elephant-Duck Is A Thing. My Birth Mom Randomly Bought This For My Daughter

DwightCharlieQuint Report

#46

Damaged And Then Glued Together Dolphin That Came In A New Pack Of Toy Animals For My Son

Damaged And Then Glued Together Dolphin That Came In A New Pack Of Toy Animals For My Son

EpicBlueDrop Report

#47

These Spiderman Toys Have Guns

These Spiderman Toys Have Guns

nighty4 Report

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Nikole
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s a Hulk too. Someone bought army men toys in bulk, I see…

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#49

My Twin Daughters Got The Same Toy For Their Birthday, But One Has A Very Off-Centered Eye

My Twin Daughters Got The Same Toy For Their Birthday, But One Has A Very Off-Centered Eye

AkuraPiety Report

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Charlie the Cat
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes it easy for them to know which one is theirs. I would want the wonky one.

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#50

Toy Tea Set Has An Uneven Logo In The Middle Of The Saucer So It's Impossible To Put The Cup There

Toy Tea Set Has An Uneven Logo In The Middle Of The Saucer So It's Impossible To Put The Cup There

kingharis Report

Note: this post originally had 103 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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