Let’s all admit it. We love buying toys for our kids that remind us of our own childhood. Marketers know this which is why there are so many toys available to our children that were once the best things in our universe. So I thought I’d write up a list of 15 retro toys you can buy for yourself this Christmas…and pass it off as a gift for your child. ;)
Lite Brite Led Flat Screen – I played this well into my pre-teen years. It’s no wonder I became an artist. This is such a fun toy and it’s on my daughter’s list for Santa.
Hasbro® Simon Swipe Game – Ahh Simon. The original game of quick reactions. The original didn’t always work so well because you had to push down on the buttons, but this new and improved version is touch-sensitive.
My Little Pony was one of the treasures that I enjoyed playing with in my bedroom. I loved combing and braiding the ponies’ hair and then playing for hours.
Shrinky Dinks – I have some very fond memories making the sun-catchers in the oven with my mother. It was so much fun painting and creating and then they magically turned into something real and useful.
Snoopy Sno Cone Maker – Quite possibly the coolest toy ever. I love that it’s back!
– This was another fun and easy-to-do art and craft project. I love this one from Alex Toys.
Cabbage Patch Dolls – I actually just found out that my favorite dolls that grow from the ground are back. I may just buy one for myself.
Spirograph – This thing would keep my sister and I busy for hours. It was so easy to create intricate shapes with all of those little plastic templates.
Easy Bake Oven – Wasn’t it the most exciting thing ever to have the freedom to safely bake things in your own mini oven? I don’t think I ever owned one of these buy I loved playing with them at friends’ houses.
Pogo Stick – While I’m not sure if I’d have the agility or coordination or agility to hop on one of these nowadays, that wouldn’t stop me from trying. I love that we used our bodies to make things move…and now we can again.
Battleship I don’t believe this game ever went anywhere but they’ve definitely improved on it. Electronic battleship for the win!
Pound Puppies – If you didn’t have a dog growing up, this was the next best thing. Or a chance to prove to mom and dad that you’e responsible enough for the real thing.
Strawberry Shortcake – Oh, sweet Strawberry. I loved everything SS themed as a child of the 80s. Love that she’s back!
Classic Etch a Sketch – This one will never get old. I will still grab one of these and try to draw myself a seamless piece of art.
Rock Em Sock Em Robots – Outside of an actual boxing rink, one of the most fun ways to get out your agression.
This is going to be the year of the throwback Christmas in our house. I know that my kids will love many of these toys as much as my husband and I did!
Am I missing any toys? What are your favorite childhood toys that are now back?
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These are great! I love that Pound Puppies are back. They were my favorite growing up!
These are some of my favorites! And Caroline already has some of them now!
I definitely would buy this just for the nostalgia. I love how the older toys are coming back.
Simon is so fun, especially at parties! I haven’t played with an etch-a-sketch in years!
I like all these throwback toys! I’m looking for fewer “gadgets” and more thinking things.
I do remember Strawberry Shortcake and I think Cabbage Patch Dolls was around as well and they’re now making a return. They’re the perfect dolls.
I knew about some of these, but I didn’t know about the spirograph! I loved that one when I was a kid.
I love that some of these toys are making a comeback. Kiddo already has quite a few of them. We bought a Snoopy snow cone machine a few years ago and we use it each year to make snow cones from the snow that falls.
What some great ideas – I love the pound puppies so nice to see old toys coming up again :) x
Total nostalgia while reading this post. Man the good ol’ days when toys were simple to play with and all we needed was a bit of imagination. Lite Brite, Simon, and Rock Em Robots are now on the list!