Who can forget the thrill of getting a new toy? Whether it was the trendy toy of the year or just a dime store cheapie, nothing quite compared to that joy. Toys have evolved considerably over the years, adjusting to the whims of each generation. Here, we take a delightful stroll down memory lane with the most popular toys from 1930 to 1980.
1930 Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse Doll
The adorable, small stuffed dolls designed by Charlotte Clark after the debut of Disney’s “Steamboat Willie” took the world by storm. The demand was so high that Clark even released patterns for mothers to make their own Mickey Mouse dolls at home! It marked the beginning of a merchandising dynasty, with Mickey Mouse appearing on everything from watches to socks.
1931 Finger Paint
Those charming polka dot smocks were invented to keep paint off kids’ clothes. Before 1931, finger painting wasn’t even a thing! Imagine a world without tiny colorful handprints gracing your refrigerator door.
1932 Rockford Sock Monkey
This iconic American toy owes its existence to the Nelson Knitting Company’s seamless socks. During the Great Depression, resourceful moms began turning these socks into adorable monkeys. It wasn’t until the 1950s, though, that the company patented their design. Until then, it was pure DIY magic!
1933 Kewpie Doll
1934 Buck Rogers Pocket Pistol
1935 Shirley Temple Doll
1936 Balsa Wood Model Sets
Balsa wood model kits were incredibly popular because they were cheap. Eventually, models began incorporating more metal and plastic, but these kits offered a mix of both materials.
1937 Pedal Cars
In 1937, a pedal car cost about $15 – equivalent to $250 today. These extravagant gifts were a hit during the interwar period and appeared prominently in Sears catalogs. During WWII, however, the metal shortage halted production, putting a dent in their availability.
1938 Red Ryder BB Gun
1939 Beach Ball
Beach balls debuted amidst an era of innovation, even as metals and plastics were largely reserved for the war effort. Their bright colors and simple design brought joy during challenging times.
1940 Bubble Wand
1941 Tinkertoys
1942 Little Golden Books
1943 Pull Toy
Pull toys, often made of wood, became super popular again during WWII due to their affordability. They were easy to make at home or pick up from local retailers.
1944 Army Toys
1945 Slinky
1946 Pennytoys
These metal toys, made in post-war Germany and Japan, flooded the market. Brightly painted and sometimes wind-up, pennytoys called on a long tradition of toy making.
1947 Toy Instruments
1948 Tinymite Radio
Crystal radio sets transitioned from niche market items to popular kids’ toys. The Tinymite was particularly beloved by the budding radio enthusiasts of 1948.
1949 Cootie
With the war ending, toy manufacturers had free reign over metals and plastics again, leading to an explosion of new toy options. The classic game Cootie emerged as a top favorite.
1950 Chatter Teeth
1951 View Master
First invented in 1939, the View Master only became a major hit in the ’50s, especially when slides featuring Disney characters were introduced. The iconic red plastic model replaced the initial brown Bakelite design.
1952 Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head originally came with facial features that you plugged into an actual potato. In 1964, a plastic version of the potato was introduced, making it a cleaner, less perishable toy.
1953 Whiffle Ball
1956 Play-Doh
Invented accidentally, Play-Doh found its way into countless childhoods. It’s one of those creations you love so much, you’d think it was planned!
1957 Silly Putty
Similarly to Play-Doh, Silly Putty was an accidental invention. Though concocted earlier, it became widely available after the Korean War, gaining traction with its own TV commercial on The Howdy Doody Show.
1958 Colorforms
1959 Barbie
Barbie revolutionized the doll industry, giving little girls everywhere a fashion-forward role model. She debuted on a catwalk of toy innovations in the late ’50s and forever changed the game.
The ‘60s brought a new wave of innovation with electronic toys, brighter colors, and an impressive array of characters. Toys were more diverse, from tiny Hot Wheels to illuminating Lite Brite sets.
1960 Legos
Lego bricks were invented in the 1930s but gained traction in the 1960s thanks to the availability of plastics. These building blocks quickly became a staple in children’s rooms everywhere.
1961 Etch-a-Sketch
1962 Lincoln Logs
1964 G.I. Joe
1965 Tonka Truck
First introduced in 1955, the Tonka dump truck model of 1965 became one of the century’s top-selling toys.
1967 Little People
1968 Lite Brite
1969 Hot Wheels
The ‘70s saw an ever-expanding array of toys and games with homemade qualities like Holly Hobbie and Shrinky Dinks. New technologies allowed for at-home play innovations.
1970 NERF Ball
The “Non-Expanding Recreational Foam” NERF ball first appeared in 1970, offering a safe indoor play option. Goodbye, sibling rivalries ending in tears!
1971 Weebles
1972 Dawn Dolls
1973 Shrinky Dinks
1974 Holly Hobbie
Inspired by traditional quilt character Sunbonnet Sue, Holly Hobbie became a beloved doll and an icon for American girls. Her image adorned everything from alarm clocks to Easy Bake Ovens.
1976 Stretch Armstrong
1977 Paddington Bear
1978 Hungry Hungry Hippos
1979 Atari
Atari changed the landscape of children’s playtime with its groundbreaking video game console. While it was pricey, it became the staple of many Saturday afternoons for kids and adults alike.
1980 Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s Cube appeared in 1980 and quickly became the world’s best-selling puzzle. Its colorful grids and mind-bending challenges fascinated millions worldwide.
