There is something truly special about the toys of our childhood. They bring back so many cherished memories of a time when life was simpler. If you’d like to share some of those memories with a little one in your life (or maybe even treat yourself!) I’ve put together a gift guide of classic nostalgic toys which are still available today.
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Classic Nostalgic Toys
Here is a collection of some beloved toys from the past.
Enjoy the memories!
Is there anyone born in the 60s or 70s who didn’t own a set of Lincoln Logs? My brothers played with these more than I did but even I got in the building action on occasion. We still have the set I later bought for my own kids and our granddaughter now plays with them. Truly timeless.
My grandmother had one of these for the kids she babysat my own kids had one, as well.
I don’t think we had this one but I know I played with my cousins’ set when we visited. I did buy it for my own kids.
My mom kept so many of the toys my brothers and I had. We were never allowed to be rough with our toys so most of them survived our childhood. My own children then were able to enjoy them as well. I know they played with this clock. I need to see if we still have it. Many children today are not learning to tell time on an analog clock so I’d love to be able to teach Charlotte someday.
This is another one of the toys my grandmother had for the kids she babysat. They all loved it!
Dolls were my thing. As far back as I can remember I loved my baby dolls. My mom shared my love of dolls and bought several lovely Madame Alexander dolls for me over the years. My very favorite was the Pussycat baby doll and I still have it. It’s a little pricy but here is a smaller, less expensive baby doll for the little girl in your life.
David and I were talking recently about whether or not today’s children would understand the concept of a telephone with rotary dial rather than a cell phone. Share this bit of nostalgia with this classic Fisher Price Chatter Phone.
While I preferred baby dolls, I did have a couple of Barbie dolls, as well as Francie and Skipper dolls. My cousin lived next door and while we usually played “house” with our dolls, we did occasionally get out the Barbies and play with them.
There was a period of time when almost every toddler had the Fisher Price xylophone. The design has changed in some significant ways – plastic rather than wood, short pull-string, and apparently doesn’t play a tune when pulled. If you can locate a vintage version I’d recommend that instead. But I’m sure little ones will still enjoy this toy.
Oh, how I enjoyed building with these! We also had a set of the larger wood blocks but I liked these smaller, colorful ones. I bought a set for my own children and we still have them.
My grandmother loved paper dolls as a child but hers were handmade. I recall her showing my cousin and I how to make them from thin card stock and then how to cut clothes from newspaper. I appreciated the glimpse of an earlier era but I preferred the ones like these:
To this day I’m a sucker for a box of Crayola crayons. And yes, they have to be Crayola brand. Is there anything more evocative of childhood than the scent of a brand new box of crayons? I have crayons for Charlotte but I also have a box tucked away just for me. 🙂
Another childhood favorite that I made sure my own children had, as well.
With two brothers you won’t be surprised to hear that we had LOTS of little Matchbox (and Hot Wheels) vehicles in the toy box when I was a child. It was primarily something the boys played with but I did have a few of my own. I loved buying these for Chris when he was little and he amassed a nice little collection which, again, we still have. Charlotte is now enjoying them when she visits.
This next one is something I coveted as a child but didn’t have. I used to watch Romper Room and was fascinated with Wendy the Weather Girl which used a special set of ColorForms. This is such a fun and creative toy for kids.
This is another one of the toys my brothers played with a lot. I really like toys that stimulate creativity.
Every child needs some board games and Candy Land is a classic.
We grew up in the desert and consequently there was plenty of sand for my brothers to play in with their Tonka trucks. We purchased the dump truck and the front loader for Charlotte to play with here. She’s a huge fan!
Another one of those ubiquitous toys of the 60s and 70s, the Viewmaster was always good for a few minutes of quiet play.
“The cow says…Moooo!” See and Say is still a fun way to teach toddlers animal sounds.
My brother and I were just 18 months apart and we had a set of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls from when we were very young. My brother was probably just a baby. From as early as I can recall, though, I had both of the dolls in my room and I still have them. I was quite a bit older when my maternal grandmother gave me a Raggedy Ann book that had been hers. I loved reading the story and consequently appreciated the dolls more.
Have you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane? Did you own any of these classic toys? Which were your favorites?
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Ive never outgrown Crayola crayons even at the ripe age of 56!
I still love to color at 62.
So many favorites listed here! I loved the little Dachsund dog that made noise and the popcorn popper toy, too. Fisher Price rocked with children’s toys. I still buy them when I find the ones that aren’t full of batteries and music and lights (except you know the record player which was acceptable)
Oh, yes! My grandmother had the little Dachshund during the years she had a home daycare. And my own kids had the popcorn popper.
I’m with you about the distaste for battery-operated toys with all the bling. With the exception of learning toys, I almost never bought my kids any toys with batteries. I think it’s so much better to focus on toys that stimulate the imagination and creativity.