These toys have been putting smiles on kids’ faces for years – and they’re still going strong today.
They’re the timeless toys that childhood memories are made of. Which one do you remember playing with? We’ve run through the decades to bring you the toys that have stood the test of time and where you can buy the original versions and their modern counterparts.
Feature image: Beatnik Bandit (1967) and Hot Wheels Batman Returns Batmobile Diecast
1. Cabbage Patch Kids (1983)
One of the biggest collectable fads of all time started in 1983 when the first line of Cabbage Patch Kids hit the shelves. Originally called “Little People”, the idea behind these dolls was that you adopted them, as each came packaged with a birth certificate and adoption paper. Today, the dolls have evolved as a brand with talking Cabbage Patch Kids, porcelain versions and a line of US presidential candidate kids available.
Cabbage Patch Kid, 1983
Browse for vintage Cabbage Patch Kids on Amazon
Cabbage Patch Kids Twinkle Toes, 2014 ($84.95)
Shop now at Purple Turtle Toys
2. Rubik’s Cube, 1974
A perennial favourite that will no doubt remain on the top of the wish list for years to come, the Rubik’s Cube (originally called Magic Cube) was created in 1974 but wasn’t licenced for sale until 1980. Named after its Hungarian inventor, Ernö Rubik, it’s a puzzle that never ceases to amaze and amuse. Hours could be spent trying to solve it.
Rubik’s Cube, 1980s
Buy it now from eBay
Meffert’s Gearball Puzzle 2015, ($66.85)
Buy it now from eBay
3. View-Master
One of the oldest toys to survive to this day, the View-Master first made its entrance in 1939. It’s a special-format stereoscope that allows you to insert “reels” containing 3D pairs of small colour photographs on film. When viewed through the unit, the images would be seen in 3D. The View-Master is commonplace now, but it was fantastic back then.
View-Master Vintage 1946-1955
Sawyer’s Model C
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View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack, 2015 (USD$29.97)
Buy it now from Amazon
4. Barbie
No girl’s childhood would have been complete without Barbie. Creator Ruth Handler was inspired by her daughter, Barbara, playing with paper dolls and wanted to provide her with something a little more lasting. So Handler created the ultimate girl’s doll: Barbie. In its first year on shelves in 1959, it sold over 350,000 units. It’s estimated a billion Barbies have been purchased to date.
Barbie 50th Anniversary Reproduction, 2009
Buy it now from Amazon
Barbie 2014 Birthday Wishes Doll, 2014 ($69.99)
Buy it now from oo.com.au
5. Star Wars Action Figures
Top of every kid’s list in 2015 is a Star Wars action figure on the back of the new Star Wars movie, Episode VII. In other news, Star Wars action figures have been ruling toy stores since 1978. Between then and 1985 (following the hype of the first three movies) over 300 million Star Wars action figures were sold.
JAWA 12” Action Figure, 1978
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Finn Jakku Action Figure, 2015 ($29.99)
Buy it now from OzGameShop
6. LEGO
Still going gangbusters to this day (psst – everything is awesome) LEGO provides the building blocks of the past and of the future. There’s no stopping this toy, which has been around since 1953 and gone from being connectable building blocks to complex, branded, action figure toys. It even has its own movie. Awesome!
LEGO 365 Wild West Town,
1975 ($499)
Browse for vintage LEGO on eBay
LEGO Star Wars Imperial Shuttle Tydirium, 2015 ($139.99)
Buy it now from David Jones
7. LeapPad (1999)
One of the more recent toys to hit the big time is the LeapPad. Developed in 1999, it’s a tablet computer and educational toy for children. In 2002, it became the bestselling toy in specialty stores in the US and has since developed to include LeapFrog learning books and cartridge add-ons. The latest in the line is the LeapPad Platinum.
LeapPad Learning System, 2001
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LeapPad Platinum, 2014 ($169.99)
Buy it from OzGameShop
8. Beanie Babies
Like Cabbage Patch Kids, Beanie Babies are a collectable that sparked a sensation worldwide. These stuffed toys were launched in November 1991 in the shape of nine cute and cuddly animals, but they didn’t enter factory production until 1994. Each Beanie runs on a limited quantity, increasing their collectability. In 1999, the company behind Beanie Babies, Ty, announced it would be ceasing production. However, a public vote kept the Beanie Babies on the market, and they are still produced today.
Legs the Frog - First Generation TY Beanie Babies, early ‘90s
Browse for vintage Beanie Babies on Amazon
Peppa Pig Beanie Baby Daddy,
2015 ($29.99)
Buy it now from eBay
9. Mr Potato Head
Mr Potato Head was invented in 1949 by George Lerner as a potato with grapes for eyes and carrots for a nose. By 1952, a toy version of Mr Potato Head was created. It was originally a “funny face kit” with body parts such as eyes, arms and legs that could be attached to vegetables, but it was upgraded to include a plastic potato body following complaints about rotting vegetables. Mr Potato Head was the first toy to have a commercial on television, and it made $4 million in its first year on store shelves.
Mr Potato Head Funny Face Kit,
1950s
Browse for vintage Mr Potato Heads on eBay
Frylo Ren Mr Potato Head - Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 2015 (24.99)
Buy it from Mighty Ape
10. Super Soaker
Invented by a former NASA engineer (no joke), the Super Soaker is the ultimate water gun and a backyard favourite on searing hot days. It first went on sale in 1989 under the name “Power Drencher”, and it sold over 250 million units over 20 years. Were you one of the early adopters?
Super Soaker 50 Larami 1989 Vintage Water Gun Euc & Super Soaker XTC
Buy it now from eBay
Nerf Super Soaker FlashFlood Blaster,
2015 ($39.19)
Buy it now from Mighty Ape
11. Nerf Blaster
The Nerf “gun” is similar to the Super Soaker, but it releases foam bullets at breakneck speed instead of cold water, making it more appropriate during colder months. It was first released in 1992 and now has five sub-lines to its name including N-Strike, Dart Tag, Vortex, Zombie Strike and Rebelle.
Nerf Kenner Missile Blaster, 1992-1993
Browse for vintage Nerf Blasters on eBay
Nerf Modulus ECS-10 Blaster, 2015 ($79)
Buy it now from Target
12. G.I. Joe
Perhaps the world’s most beloved action toy, G.I. Joe is an action figure that needs no introduction. The “great American hero” entered our lives in 1964 representing four branches of the US armed forces. By 2014, over 400 million units had been sold. In 2003, it entered the National Toy Hall of Fame in New York. What a trooper.
G.I. Joe Doll, 1964
Browse for G.I. Joe Dolls at eBay
G.I. Joe - Silent Strike, 2015 ($166)
Buy it now from Fishpond
13. Pet Rock
While in a bar lending his ear to his friends’ complaints about their pets, advertising executive Gary Dahl came up with the perfect pet: a rock. The idea spiralled into a pet rock toy, which was marketed as a “real” pet and presented in a cardboard box with a hilarious instruction manual,The Care and Training of Your Pet Rock. In less than a year, Dahl became a millionaire… by selling rocks.
Pet Rock, 1975
Brwose for vintage Pet Rocks on eBay
USB Pet Rock, 2000s ($7.99)
Buy it from ThinkGeek
14. Easy-Bake Oven
Although mostly popular in the USA, the Easy-Bake Oven was no less a trailblazer of its time. Using a simple incandescent light bulb as a heating element, it allowed kids to cook real food. Created in 1963, the oven came with packets of cake mix and small pans. Kids would combine the mix with water, pour it into the pans and bake them in the toy.
Easy-Bake Oven 1960s
Browse for vintage Easy-Bake Ovens on eBay
Easy Bake Ultimate Oven, Purple, 2015 ($183.17)
Buy it now from eBay
15. Silly Putty
What was originally intended to be a synthetic rubber compound for use in World War II by the American Armed Forces slowly became a simply but amusing toy. After years of unsuccessfully pitching the product (then called Nutty Putty) to manufacturers, creator James Wright, finally convinced toy owner Ruth Fallgatter to sell it via her mail order catalogue. By 1950, it was renamed Silly Putty and packaged into the plastic eggshell containers it’s renowned for today.
Vintage Silly Putty, 1970s (USD$18.39)
Buy it now from Etsy
Smart Mass Thinking Putty, 2000s (from $9.99)
Buy it now from ThinkGeek
16. Transformers
The popular franchise has been keeping little ones enthralled in action play since the 1980s. Made of autobots that transform between cars and robots by twisting and turning certain parts, the brand has a TV series, a series of movies and more toys than you can poke a stick at.
Transformers Autobot, 1984
Browse for vintage Transformers on eBay
Hasbro Transformers Super Bumblebee, 2000s ($85)
Buy it now from Target
17. Hot Wheels
Another favourite boy toy is the Hot Wheels brand of scale die-cast cars. These collectable beauties have been on the market since 1968, and over four billion cars across 800 different models have been sold so far. Playsets and ancillary items are also available.
Hot Wheels Beatnik Bandit, 1967
Browse for vintage Hot Wheels on eBay
Hot Wheels Batman Arkham Knight Batmobile ($249)
Buy it now from Mighty Ape
18. Etch A Sketch
Virtual artworks were created within minutes with the turn of two knobs using the Etch A Sketch. This battery-free plaything has been on Christmas wish lists since 1960, and millions of units have been sold.
Etch A Sketch, 1960s
Browse for vintage Etch A Sketches on eBay
Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablet*, 2000s ($53.95)
Buy it now from Latest Buy
*To be fair, the Etch A Sketch hasn’t changed much since its inception. On the upside, there’s this cool new gadget that does everything the Etch A Sketch does… and more.
19. Nintendo NES
When the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released in the mid to late 1980s, it seemed like it was on every kid’s wish list. This 8-bit home video game console helped introduce the world to hot titles such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. It has been so influential in the history of video gaming that IGN named it the single greatest video game console in 2009. Sadly, the NES was discontinued in 1995 (North America and Europe) and 2003 (Japan). Its name lives on in the Nintendo DS
Nintendo NES console and controller, 1980s
Browse for vintage Nintendo NES' on Etsy
Nintendo 3DS XL, 2000s ($248)
Buy it now from Target
20. Monopoly
Last but not least, a game that celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2015… Monopoly. The name is synonymous with the words “family board game”. There have been versions featuring chocolate, real money, Harry Potter and The Simpsons. It has been translated into 47 languages and has sold over 275 million copies, making it one of the world’s bestselling board games.
Original Parker Brothers Monopoly Board Game w/Wooden Pieces, 1935/36
Browse for vintage Monopoly on eBay
Monopoly 80th Anniversary Edition,
2015 ($37)
Buy it now from Harvey Norman
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