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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!

By Amy Valm and Karen Chapelle
13 iconic toys from the '60s

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”.

Box of Creepy Crawlers bog-making kitPhoto: The Strong

Trolls

Originally made in 1959 by a Danish fisherman (and carved out of wood!), these little cuties went mainstream in 1963.

Troll with white hair in leather overallsPhoto: The Strong

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

classic Slinky with boxPhoto: The Strong

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

Can of original Play-DohPhoto: The Strong

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

Board game of original Operation from the 1960sPhoto: The Strong

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

Original plastic Mr Potato Head toyPhoto: The Strong

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

Monopoly game boxPhoto: The Strong

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

Red etch-a-sketchPhoto: The Strong

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

Lite Brite box with kids building a clown's facePhoto: The Strong

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

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board game of the Game of LifePhoto: The Strong

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

Original box of Easy-Bake OvenPhoto: The Strong

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

Magic 8 ballPhoto: The Strong

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

Classic rock 'em sock' em robot toyPhoto: The Strong

Read more:
29 best toys for babies and toddlers 20 best toys for little kids 18 best toys for big kids

This article was originally published on Nov 16, 2017

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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

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