15 Retro Toys We Love
Updated: Dec. 16, 2022Who could forget #10?!
Lincoln Logs
Lincoln Logs — they’re simple and form the building blocks of construction work in a sense. It’s only natural that we’d like something like Lincoln Logs. Show off how far your learning has come by seeing if you can handle one of these 12 home improvement projects easy enough for beginning DIYers.
Easy-Bake Oven
This is a later model of the iconic Easy-Bake Oven Kenner introduced in 1962. It became an iconic toy for people of a certain age and even a collector item at one point. Kenner created a one-of-a-kind oven in 1972 to commemorate it’s 5 millionth oven. Discover this easy trick to get your real oven super clean.
The Duncan Yo-Yo, 1929
The Duncan Toys Company purchased the Flores Yo-Yo Company from Pedro Flores, who brought the yo-yo to the United States from the Philippines in 1912. Thanks to putting on competitions throughout the country, Duncan popularized the yo-yo toy quickly, and it became a fad in no time. Check out these 12 awesome ideas for storing toys.
Hasbro Inc. 1952 Mr. Potato Head
Inventor George Lerner created a set of silly face parts as bonuses for cereal box promotions. Hasbro, Inc. acquired his creation in 1952, with the original package including eyes, a nose, mouth and ears. There were 28 different plastic facial features in all, as well as a Styrofoam head for kids to practice making wacky expressions. Kids are arguably the most imaginative creatures on the planet, so why not take a page out of their book with these inspiring toy room ideas.
1959 Mattel Barbie
Look up “1959 Barbie” and you might be surprised to find that the original doll is being sold for thousands of dollars! Drawing inspiration from a doll she saw on a trip to Germany, Ruth Handler created Barbara Millicent Roberts in 1959. Check out these creepy Halloween decorations, including Barbie’s head on a bug!
Vintage Pedal Car
There’s a cottage industry for vintage pedal cars and for good reason — they’re really cool. The pedal car might’ve been far from a fad in the 1950s and 1960s but do you remember the 25 craziest toy fads in history?
Wooden Sleds
Old wooden sleds like the Speedaway and Flexible Flyer were all the rage for winter entertainment. Nowadays you’re more likely to find them as part of holiday decor. Try these holiday decor ideas to fill up each room with some Christmas cheer.
Rocking Horse
A rocking horse was ubiquitous in the past and they continue to be popular, though not like the wooden one this little cowboy is riding. A rocking horse like this one showcases some woodworking skills. A good woodworking project like one of these can be a great way to relax from everyday life.Â
Erector Set
An Erector set maybe used to get knocked for being a geeky activity but the sets have always been a great introduction to tools for any budding handyman. Got a burgeoning handyman in your family? Check out these 12 perfect gifts for handy kids.Â
Viewfinder/View-Master
Sure, the contraption looks a little goofy but there wasn’t a cooler way to see fantastic images of tourist locations at the time. Of course, now there are plenty of filters and other photo editing software on phones that put the old viewfinder to shame but it can’t replace the spot in peoples’ hearts that the view finder holds. It’s possible one of these 50 extremely remote castles could have been on a viewfinder reel.
Tin Metal Robots
Tin metal robots will get you thinking about the science fiction world that existed in the 1950s and 60s and less about the kind of robots we know today. The history of tin metal robots is fascinating.
Rocket Racer
Sometimes toys don’t need to be technologically advanced to be really cool. Just roll back this classic tin metal toy and watch it race. Enjoy this toy outdoors and these winter toys, too.
TINKERTOY®
Tinkertoys have long been an introduction into construction for children as they create whatever kind of contraption their imagination allows. Tinkertoys’ influence has been recognized and the toy is part of the National Toy Hall of Fame, inducted in 1998. Try these tips to get kids to learn about tools.
Slinky, Silly Putty, Frisbee and Play-Doh
We lumped all of these together because they seem to be a staple of many childhoods, which may or may not make them retro. Plus we can kind of imagination an awesome creation that can be made when all four are combined, think of a wobbling Frisbee attached to a slinky. If you have an old toy in an attic, you might be sitting on a pile of money.
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