Are Clacker Balls Illegal?

Also known as Knockers and Click Clacks, these heavy acrylic balls attached to weighty string had only one purpose: to be knocked together as fast and hard as possible. This resulted in shattered toys and shrapnel flying everywhere. Clackers were officially banned in 1985.

Can you still get clackers?

Clacker balls in some form are still around if you'd like to buy them. If you're worried about the potential that they'll turn into a projectile, don't. Science has evolved since the 1960s and we've since been gifted with non-shattering polymers. So go ahead, you're safe to play.

Why did clackers get banned?

While the FDA primarily monitored the safety of food and drugs, it also had to make sure any children's toys did not contain harsh chemicals, radioactivity, or flammability. Clackers fell enough into this category that they could address this hazardous toy. To try and amend this danger, toymakers instead used plastic.