Designs That Will Confuse Children—And Their Parents
Being in charge of designing products—whether it's a hand soap dispenser or a children's playground slide—can't be an easy job, but someone has to do it. We're not saying that we're qualified for the job, but have you ever seen something in a store that's so messed up it just makes you go "huh?"
When it comes to designing products geared toward parents or children especially, there is sometimes a disconnect where the product is going to end up causing a lot more confusion than it's worth, and that's what we're highlighting.
Help The Environment By Poisoning All The Animals
Despite what these garbage cans imply, you should probably focus on teaching your kids not to feed their garbage or leftovers to random animals at the zoo—or anywhere, for that matter. Otherwise, you're going to come home to find your kids befriending the raccoons that live under your deck.
It's Like He's Staring Into Our Soul
SpongeBob, is that you? The face of this mall creature is off-putting to say the least, but then when you add the head onto the body of a...dog? It makes it much worse. We're not giving our kid a quarter to ride that thing.
What Have They Done To You?
This Winnie the Pooh looks like he's been through the wringer, and now he's back to share his story with all the Christopher Robbins of the world, and it's not going to be a story your child wants to hear.
They Can Just Learn To Use Google Maps Instead
No one really needs to know which way is East and which way is West anymore, they can just rely on Google Maps. The fact that someone in charge of designing children's playgrounds didn't know how to draw a basic compass is concerning though...
Thomas Had Never Seen Such A Mess
It seemed like a good idea to build a Thomas the Tank Engine-esque toy at a local playground, but no one expected him to look like he was going through a midlife crisis.
Who Needs The Sun?
While we humans may like to think that the universe revolves around us here on Earth, if you're going to put a solar system diagram in a public place for kids to play with, make sure it's actually right.
The Eraser Is Really Just For Show
Why would anyone want to buy a pencil that had a regular old eraser on it when you could buy an overpriced Disney-themed pencil that's hard to sharpen and has an eraser that's completely nonfunctional?
The Counterintuitive Bathroom
You spend years trying to teach your kid that going to the bathroom is a private, one-person exercise, and then they show up to school and have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the room with all their classmates watching.
Now That's A Baby
Has the person who drew this safety pamphlet ever actually seen a baby in real life, or were they just born as an adult robot? We're not even going to touch on whatever is happening with the child that's folding up into their seat, either.
Giving The Side-Eye
Look, we're not an artiste and we don't have any skills when it comes to making animals or people out of balloons, but something is seriously not right with this particular person.
Say Ahhhhhhh
Good luck trying to convince your child to go anywhere near these three slides of death if they come across them at the playground. You can't blame them for wanting to play on the swing set instead.
Is It A Leopard? A Jaguar? You'll Never Know
If you want to place your child's education in jeopardy, buy them this children's book so they can go on to tell their future teachers that they think there's a creature out there called a jeopard.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
You can reward your kids with ice cream but also still punish them for something thanks to this deeply disturbing statue of an ice cream cone eating its own kind.
Good Luck To All The Parents Who Have To Explain This One
So...are we supposed to eat this or not? Typically, "mouthwatering" is one of those words that you would only use to describe things you can actually eat, but that's not our problem.
This Is Why You Need Someone Else To Check Your Work
You're looking to donate to a good cause, and now you've found the perfect one! You already spend all your money on your children, so why not spend the last little bit of what you have on getting rid of them?
Pre-Surgery Cinderella
We love setting realistic beauty standards for children as much as the next parent, but Cinderella's nose in this puzzle seems like a weird thing to pick to alter, out of all the things you could've changed.
Guess They Don't Need That Window
So you wanted some nice windows in your kitchen. That's great! Too bad the person who installed them didn't have the foresight to know that you'd want them to open.
A Violent Solution, But Okay
Seems like one of those times that the word "literally" should've been avoided. We don't like our kids fighting in the car any more than other parents, but this is a bit extreme.
This Seems Like A Trap
We're not sure what exactly is happening in this photo or why this woman looks like she's been possessed, but what we are sure of is that this little girl should not open whatever that present is.
Ok, This Is Actually Very Smart
This company has started using old shipping cardboard in place of bubble wrap because it's more environmentally friendly. The only downside is that there aren't any more bubbles to pop.
Making Kids' Hands And Mouths Cleaner
Yet another product that we're going to have to explain to our children they can't actually eat, despite the fact it looks and smells exactly like candy. Thanks so much to the company for this product design.
There've Definitely Been Some Startled Parents Thanks To This
Whoever designed this bottle of children's shampoo really didn't think through what the color would look like if it spilled onto the tub or even onto the kid's shoulders. We're curious about how many parents have freaked out thinking their child was bleeding after using this.
Something's Not Right
Who do these people think they are? You can't just go around mixing up the classic Mario and Luigi colors that have been around for decades. What will the youths of today think?!
He Should've Stayed Under The Sea
If you're looking for the perfect candy to give your child for Valentine's Day or Easter, this ain't it. Unless you also want to give them nightmares that you'll have to deal with for weeks afterward.
Kumon, You Can Do Better Than That.
judging by the face in this advertisement, math and reading don't always equal success, because he just looks distressed. If they want parents to bring their kids there, the company might as well at least pretend kids like it.
Is This A Cry For Help?
What's the connection between 9-1-1 and crayons? Unclear. Either someone at the crayon factory is trying to send a message, or they were looking to confuse your kids for fun.
Off-Brand Snow White Is Judging You And Everyone Else
This is a prime example of a toy that will leave your child with more questions than answers. Why does Snow White suddenly look like this? We don't have an answer to that question, and we don't know how to not scare our child with this book.
Tickle Me Elmo Can Stay In The Store
Elmo looks like he's at his wits' end and is getting real sick of this little boy and every other little kid exploiting him for their tickles. We don't want this haunted toy anywhere near our houses.
All Your Needs Fulfilled In One Place
You've been looking for the perfect place in a public washroom where you can change your baby's diaper and take their head off their body. Now you've finally found it!
Who Knew "Karate" Was An Acronym?
Even if karate were an actual acronym, we're pretty sure that this isn't what it stands for. You're guaranteed to confuse the heck out of your kids if you take them to this studio, but at least they're anti-abduction.
So Should We Do Them Or Not?
Nancy Reagan would be proud of whoever designed this pencil, but after one too many sharpenings, she'd no longer be proud of the message that this pencil is sending to America's children.
No Face Would've Been A Better Option
Would you want to ride in a toy that had a face like this on it? We certainly wouldn't, so don't blame your child if they cry when they see his weird eyebrows.
