13 iconic toys from the '60s
You might be surprised to know that many of your favourite 60s toys are still on the market today. Now, go out and buy yourself a Slinky!
Photo: The Strong
Iconic toys of the 60s
Creepy Crawlers
DIY bugs were within your grasp using die-cast metal moulds. That liquid chemical you’d use? It’s formal name is “Plastigoop”.
Trolls
Originally made in 1959 by a Danish fisherman (and carved out of wood!), these little cuties went mainstream in 1963.
Slinky
What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs and makes a slinkity sound? A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing! Everyone knows it’s Slinky. Duh.
Buy it: $5, walmart.ca
Play-Doh
Originally developed in 1956, this toy went gangbusters, bringing in nearly $3 million in sales by the late ’60s. It’s still a household brand.
Buy it: $2, indigo.ca
Operation
1965 was the year that kids could stab a portly man to remove things like his funny bone, charley horse and the butterflies in his stomach. Hand-eye coordination has never been so fun?
Buy it: $23, indigo.ca
Mr. Potato Head
Did you know that the original Mr. Potato Head was made from stryofoam? The plastic version we know today came out in 1963.
Buy it: $13, toysrus.ca
Monopoly
The original game came out in the 1930s, but it continues to be a much-loved property war. A special 30th anniversary edition came out in 1965. Gimme Park Place!
Buy it: $25, amazon.ca
Etch-A-Sketch
Here’s the thing about Etch-A-Sketch, you’re either really good at it, or really really bad. But everyone is good at shaking it out. It debuted in 1960.
Buy it: $25, canadiantire.ca
Lite-Brite
1967 was the year that dreams came true thanks to the simple concept of light-backed perforated board and colourful plastic plugs.
Buy it: $35, toysrus.ca
The Game of Life
What’s a rainy day without this old friend? Sometimes life gives you lemons and sometimes it gives you a reward. Ah, c’est la vie.
Buy it: $28, walmart.ca
Easy-Bake Oven
In 1963 we all became obsessed with miniature, not-great-tasting baked goods that we could pop in our own little oven.
Buy it: $57, walmart.ca
Magic 8 Ball
The best little fortune teller around; will you go out and buy this toy for nostalgia purposes? It is certain.
Buy it: $13, indigo.ca
Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
How many times did you knock your opponent’s robot’s block off? Like, always, because you were the best.
Buy it: $20, toysrus.ca
Read more:
29 best toys for babies and toddlers
20 best toys for little kids
18 best toys for big kids
Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.