These Are the Most Popular Toys of the Last 100 Years That You Can Still Buy Today
These Are the Most Popular Toys of the Last 100 Years That You Can Still Buy Today
We've rounded up the most popular kids' toys and electronics from each decade, alllll the way from the early 1900s to today. We've even included modern versions of the classics that you can buy now to make your kid's (or teen's) day.
1900s: Rocking Horses
Happy Trails Plush Rocking Horse $70 BUY NOW
The classic wooden rocking horse has been a staple in the lives of children for hundreds of years, and it became widely popular in the United States in the early 1900s. A rendition of the early hobby horse toy, the introduction of bow rockers made these beautiful (and fun!) designs possible.
1900s: Die-Cast Model T Fords
Ford Model T Automobile, $13 BUY NOW
The most common die-cast toys are scale models of automobiles, aircrafts, construction equipment, and trains. Toy cars have always been a favorite of children across the country, and today many models are collectibles.
1900s: Crayola Crayons
Crayola Washable Crayons 2-pack, $5 BUY NOW
Believe it or not, Crayola has been around since 1885. While crayons have experienced various reinventions over the years, the main function has stayed the same. They're fun, and they're colorful — what's not to love?
1900s: Spinning Tops
36-piece Spin Tops, $6 BUY NOW
Nobody knows exactly how the spinning top came to be, but they've been around for ages and provide endless amounts of entertainment for children and adults alike. We bet you had one when you were a kid.
1910s: Raggedy Ann Dolls
Raggedy Ann Classic Doll, $32 BUY NOW
Raggedy Ann began as a book character created by American writer Johnny Gruelle, and she was produced as a doll in 1915. The yarn-haired, triangle-nosed doll has largely held up its original design, and her popularity inspired the conception of Ann's brother, Raggedy Andy, in 1920.
1910s: Lionel Trains
Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer O-Gauge Remote Train Set, $228 BUY NOW
Originally intended as nothing more than a storefront display, the first Lionel train was invented in the early 1900s by Joshua Lionel Cowen. People began approaching store owners about buying the trains instead, prompting Cowen to begin making toy trains for the general public. Even then, the trains were considered a luxury item — and they're even more so today.
1910s: Teddy Bears
JOON Mini Teddy Bear, $12 BUY NOW
Named after former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, the teddy bear was created in the early 20th century. While early teddys were made to look like real bears — with extended snouts and beady eyes — today's adorable plush versions are a timeless favorite of children and parents alike.
1910s: Erector Sets
Erector Super Construction Set, $120 BUY NOW
The Erector Set is a metal toy construction set first introduced to the public in 1913 at the Toy Fair in New York City. Consisting of various metal beams with holes for assembly using nuts and bolts, the toy quickly became a hit for its ability to let users build a model, take it apart, and build something else. The same fascination rings true today.
1920s: Radio Flyers
Radio Flyer Wagon, $134 BUY NOW
Founded in 1917, American toy company Radio Flyer is best known for its popular red toy wagon. While they also produce scooters, tricycles, and bicycles, the classic steel-and-wood wagon provides a bit of nostalgia and a whole lot of fun.
1920s: Yo-Yos
8-pack Emoji Faces Light-Up Yo-Yos, $11 BUY NOW
Possibly originating as far back as 500 B.C., the yo-yo is essentially an axle connected to two disks, with a length of string looped around the axle. The simple design has held up for centuries, providing endless entertainment for those who take the time to master it.
1920s: Tinkertoys
Tinkertoy 100 Piece Essentials Value Set, from $44 BUY NOW
The Tinkertoy Set is a toy construction set for children, created in 1914. Much like Erector Sets, Tinkertoys allow children to use their imaginations to build things. Hasbro now owns the brand and produces both plastic and wooden sets.
1920s: Joy Buzzers
Hand Buzzer Classic Gag Gift, $3 BUY NOW
Who doesn't love a good practical joke? Invented in 1928, the joy buzzer is a prank device consisting of a coiled spring inside a disc worn in the palm of the hand. When the wearer shakes hands with another person, a button on the disc releases the spring, which quickly unwinds, creating a vibration that feels like a minor electric shock to the unsuspecting victim. Sounds fun, right?
1930s: Army Men Figurines
Army Men Action Figures 200-Piece Set, $20 BUY NOW
The first American plastic toy soldiers were made in 1938. Following World War II, Army men figurines were sold in a green color to match the United States Army uniforms. The inexpensive toys can be set up in a variety of ways, encouraging creativity (and patriotism).
1930s: Monopoly
Classic Monopoly Board Game, $20 BUY NOW
The earliest known version of Monopoly, known as The Landlord's Game, was designed in 1904 to illustrate economic consequences and concepts of economic privilege and land value taxation. It doesn't sound fun, but it is.
1930s: Microscope Sets
Beginner Microscope Kit, $40 BUY NOW
Microscope sets, much like toy chemistry sets, have ignited generations of aspiring scientists. While some experiments may go awry, this educational toy is a favorite for those curious about the microscopic world around us.
1930s: View Masters
View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack, $19 BUY NOW
Though the look has changed and catapulted into the world of virtual reality, the mesmerizing View-Master system was introduced in 1939. The toy featured special-format stereoscopes and corresponding "reels," or thin cardboard disks containing seven stereoscopic 3D pairs of small color photographs on film. Today, all you need to do is insert your smartphone.
1940s: Slinky
Original Slinky, $3 BUY NOW
Accidentally invented by Richard James in 1943, the slinky is a mesmerizing toy with a seemingly simple design. When the naval mechanical engineer was developing springs that could stabilize sensitive objects aboard ships, James knocked one from a shelf and watched in amazement as it "stepped" from object to object and onto the floor, where it finally stood upright.
1940s: Magic 8 Balls
Magic 8 Ball Retro Edition, $10 BUY NOW
"Will I get everything I want for Christmas?" Let the Magic 8 Ball tell you. The less-than-accurate toy is used for fortune-telling or seeking advice, with a humorous and often sarcastic twist.
1940s: Silly Putty
Original Silly Putty 12-Pack, $15 BUY NOW
Another product invented by accident, the addicting and oddly satisfying goo known as Silly Putty was first discovered during World War II by engineer James Wright, as he attempted to create an inexpensive substitute for synthetic rubber.
1940s: Scrabble
Scrabble Crossword Game, $17 BUY NOW
Alfred Mosher Butts hoped to create a board game that would use both chance and skill, combining features of anagrams and crossword puzzles. Originally dubbed Criss Cross Words, Scrabble emerged in 1948 as an instant family favorite for lovers of words (and intense competition).
1950s: Barbie Dolls
Holiday Barbie Doll, $30 BUY NOW
The iconic Barbie doll has undergone quite the transformation since her birth in 1959. While most dolls at the time represented infants, Ruth Handler suggested the idea of an adult version to her husband, the co-founder of the Mattel toy company. Mattel has since sold over one billion Barbie dolls, making it the company's largest and most profitable line.
1950s: Mr. Potato Head
Playskool Mr. Potato Head, $7 BUY NOW
Mr. Potato Head is a plastic model of a potato that can be decorated with a variety of parts that attach to the main body. It was invented by George Lerner in 1949 as separate plastic parts with pushpins that could be stuck into a real potato. Needless to say, the potatoes began to rot, and Hasbro came up with the plastic version we know and love today.
1950s: Play-Doh
Play-Doh 24-Pack, $20 BUY NOW
Created in the 1930s by Noah McVicker, Play-Doh was initially used to clean coal residue from wallpaper. Following World War II, the market for wallpaper cleaning putty began to decrease. McVicker's nephew Joe was the brother-in-law of a nursery school teacher who had seen an article about making art projects with the wallpaper cleaning putty, and when her students thoroughly enjoyed playing with the doughy substance, she persuaded Joe to manufacture it as a child's toy.
1950s: Pogo Sticks
Flybar Foam Maverick Pogo Stick, $43 BUY NOW
The modern pogo stick was invented by Max Pohlig and Ernst Gottschall from Germany, and it was patented by George B. Hansburg in 1957. It's had its ups and down throughout the years (get it?), but it remains a favorite for energetic kids and those looking for a fun way to exercise.
1960s: Legos
LEGO Large Brick Box, $49 BUY NOW
Headquartered in Denmark, Lego has been producing plastic building blocks since its inception in 1949. Inspired by the toy world's engineering and construction fad, Lego pieces can be assembled and connected in many ways to create objects and take them apart to build new ones.
1960s: Easy-Bake Ovens
Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven Baking Star Edition, $49 BUY NOW
The Easy-Bake Oven is a working toy oven first introduced to the world in 1963. The original toy used an ordinary incandescent light bulb as a heat source, while current versions use a true heating element.
1960s: Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels 20-Car Gift Pack, $20 BUY NOW
Hot Wheels are a brand of die-cast toy cars introduced by American toy maker Mattel in 1968. The cars are modeled after full-sized "tricked out" vehicles, and they were originally intended for kids, but many have since become collector's items.
1960s: Lite Brite
Lite Brite Classic, $15 BUY NOW
Still widely available today, Lite Brites consist of a box with numerous peg holes covered with black paper, and users can create designs with different colored translucent pegs that give the appearance of being lit up.
1970s: Star Wars Action Figures
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Figurine Playset, $21 BUY NOW
Epic space franchise Star Wars rose to fame following its blast-off in 1977. The iconic characters now grace video games, theme park attractions, toys and — of course — new movie spinoffs.
1970s: Rubik's Cubes
Rubik's Cube Game, $6 BUY NOW
We've all tried it (and probably failed). The classic Rubik's cube was invented by a Hungarian architect who wanted a working model to help explain 3-D geometry. After designing the "magic cube" in 1974, however, he realized he couldn't solve the puzzle himself.
1970s: Tonka Trucks
Tonka Classic Mighty Dump Truck, $25 BUY NOW
Toy cars have always been popular amongst kids. Tonka revolutionized the world of toy vehicles by including everything from sleek pickup trucks to clunky dump trucks, cement trucks, and other utility vehicles.
1970s: Pet Rock
Pet Rock with Walking Leash, $13 BUY NOW
It's exactly what it sounds like — a rock. There's not much else to it, but in the '70s, this toy was a total hit. They were marketed like live pets, in custom cardboard boxes complete with straw and breathing holes. The fad lasted about six months, ending after a short increase in sales during Christmastime 1975.
1980s: Care Bears
Care Bears Bean Plush, $29 BUY NOW
Originally used as artwork on greeting cards, Care Bears came to life in 1981 on TV, movies, and in toy form. There are approximately 100 different types of Care Bears, ranging from Bedtime Bear to Laugh-a-Lot Bear.
1980s: Koosh Balls
Koosh Ball Mondo Edition, $12 BUY NOW
Who knew a little rubber ball could be so fun? A toy ball made of rubber strings attached to a soft rubber core, the Koosh ball was a 1980s staple. They're even used today to help children develop motor skills.
1980s: Transformers
Transformers Rescue Bot, $15 BUY NOW
Is it a robot, or is it a car?! We all know and love the movies, but the franchise began in 1984 with the Transformers toy line, centering on factions of transforming alien robots in a struggle for victory. The Transformers line has expanded over the years to comic books, animation, video games, and films, but it all began with the ever-popular toy.
1990s: Nintendo
Nintendo Galaxy Style 3DS XL Console, $214 BUY NOW
Nintendo actually began as a playing card company dating all the way back to 1889. However, the gaming console didn't become what we know it as today until the 1970s. The Japanese company boomed in the '90s with versions like the Game Boy and Nintendo 64. That classic bee-boop-bee-boop never gets old.
More: People Are Freaking Out Over This Vans and Nintendo Collaboration
1990s: Super Soakers
Nerf Super Soaker Breach Blast, $18 BUY NOW
Originally called the Power Drencher, the first Super Soaker went on sale in 1990, and the toy has since generated over $1 billion in sales. Beware, though — the pressurized water gun lives up to its name.
1990s: Furby
Furby Connect, $65 BUY NOW
Released in 1998, the hamster/owl hybrid creature known as the Furby was the must-have toy following its holiday season launch, and it remained so until 2000. They were the first successful attempt to produce and sell a domestically aimed robot. My, how far we've come.
1990s: PlayStation
Sony PlayStation 4 500GB Console, $300 BUY NOW
Introduced over 20 years ago, the PlayStation now includes four different versions of the popular gaming console. Kids couldn't get enough of it in the '90s, and they still can't today.
2000s: Xbox 360
Xbox 360 500GB Console, $199 BUY NOW
The Xbox 360 was released as the successor of the original Xbox in November 2005, competing with the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. It's the cream of the crop as far as gaming goes.
2000s: Razor Scooters
Razor A3 Kick Scooter, $39 BUY NOW
The Razor scooter is a compact kick scooter that enables riders to do tricks, spins, and flips, or just zoom around the neighborhood. Razors can be folded up for maximum portability.
2000s: iPod Touch
Apple iPod Touch 16GB, from $129 BUY NOW
While most people download their music directly to their smartphone nowadays, the Apple iPod Touch was a huge deal in the MP3 player space following its launch in 2007. Now in its sixth generation, the iOS-based handheld computer can be used as a music and video player, digital camera, or gaming device.
2000s: Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero Live 2-Pack Bundle, $120 BUY NOW
Playing the guitar is a difficult skill that takes years of practice to perfect. That's why Guitar Hero was such a hit in the mid 2000s. Instead of plucking away at coarse strings in order to make sounds, the player simply follows the color coded notes on the TV screen and presses each button on the neck of the instrument in correspondence to the song being played.
2010s: iPads
16GB Apple iPad Air 2, $330 BUY NOW
It's hard to believe that the iPad is almost seven years old. The Apple product boomed in popularity among adults, teens, and tweens alike. It does everything your smartphone can do — just on a bigger screen. Win!
2010s: Xbox One
Xbox One S 500GB Console, from $299 BUY NOW
The third console in the Xbox family, the Xbox One was released by Microsoft in 2013. The newest version, the Xbox One S, was just released in August this year.
2010s: Kindle
Kindle Fire HD 10 Tablet, $230 BUY NOW
Who runs the world? Amazon. Bidding adieu to the world of paperback books, the Kindle e-reader gave way to a whole new reading experience. Today's versions allow the user to download and read e-books, magazines, play games, shop, surf the web, and just about everything else your tablet can do.
2010s: All Frozen Everything
LEGO Disney Arendelle Castle Building Kit, $42 BUY NOW
The iconic Disney animated film took the world by (snow)storm. Frozen captured the hearts of children (and adults!) around the globe immediately following its release in theaters. With catchy songs and an inspirational message, it's no wonder toy companies are still inspired by the movie.
2016: All Pokémon Everything
Pokémon Small Plush Pikachu, $13 BUY NOW
With the phenomenon that is Pokémon Go, the iconic brand has risen once again after reaching popularity in the '90s and early 2000s with their playing cards, TV show, and video games. Trends always come back, right?
2016: Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo, $80 BUY NOW
Another example of Amazon winning at everything, the Amazon Echo allows the user to speak to "Alexa" through voice-activated commands to play music, make to-do lists, set alarms, stream podcasts, and more. Alexa does it all, so you don't have to.
2016: Finding Dory
Finding Dory Movie, $20 BUY NOW
It's mind-boggling to think that iconic Pixar film Finding Nemo opened in theaters almost 14 years ago. A sequel long in the making, Finding Dory tells the tale of the friendly but forgetful blue tang fish who begins a search for her long-lost parents and learns the real meaning of family along the way.
2017: iPhone X
iPhone X, prices vary BUY NOW
Apple's latest sensation, the iPhone X, is a must-have for iPhone users. The newest iteration of the iPhone series uses facial recognition to sign in (no more fingerprint needed!), and the animated emojis make texting even more fun than ever before. This smartphone is definitely a hot commodity among both adults and tech-savvy adolescents.
2018: Funko POP
Funko
amazon.com
$12.70
You've definitely seen these lining the shelves of kids — or maybe even co-workers — the world over. Funko POP are exactly what they sound like: funky renderings of pop-culture figures, including everything from the Golden Girls to Pennywise to Buddy the Elf.
2019: L.O.L. Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper
L.O.L. Surprise!
amazon.com
L.O.L Surprise Dolls hit the scene a few years back and stole the hearts of kids everywhere — and they are still on a roll. These gals are now going on a glamping trip.
With more than 10 hang-out areas and more than 55 surprises to unbox, your L.O.L Surprise-obsessed tot will have endless fun discovering what's in store.
These gifts don't get old.