Nostalgic Toys for Kids of All Ages
Do you have fond memories of playing with your childhood toys? Retro toys have been making a comeback, and I can completely understand why. There’s emotion tied up in them, and it feels good to get nostalgic about things you enjoyed as a child. It feels even better to share those things with a new generation. As you’re finishing up your holiday shopping this year, you might be considering adding some classic toys to your list. The options for nostalgia-inducing toys seem to be growing every year, and these are my current favorites.
Atari Classic Games Joystick
Ready to travel back to the early 80s? Based on the iconic Atari 2600 gaming console, the Atari Classic Games Joystick offers ten different classic Atari games, including Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Missile Command, and more! The games feature retro graphics and all the original gameplay, without all the cartridges. Use the attached RCA cables to plug the joystick directly into your TV, and prepare to enjoy a classic gaming experience!
Space Invaders Mini Arcade Game
Play your favorite classic arcade games any time, any place with Mini Arcade Classics from The Bridge Direct. Featuring authentic arcade graphics, sounds, and gameplay, the Space Invaders Mini Arcade Game is just like the original only it’s portable and you don’t have to worry about having enough quarters. Move your laser gun left and right as waves of aliens descend, faster and faster. Blast them apart and then knock out their mothership for bonus points. Also available in Centipede, QBert, Joust, Frogger, and Pac-Man versions, and batteries are included!
Giant Ant Farm
Experience the fascinating timeless classic for the first time or all over again and get a peek into the amazing underground world of the ant. The re-designed Giant Ant Farm now matches the sleek look and quality of the 60th ANT-iversary versions introduced last year but now with twice the viewing area. It also features a whimsical ant town picnic scene. The included tubes and antports also allow you to connect this to other ant farms including the original size and is a perfect centerpiece for your Ant Farm collection. The large viewing area also makes it great for classrooms too! This model has the largest viewing area of any Ant Farm® habitat, and don’t worry–it’s break-resistant and escape-proof!
Buy: Toys R Us
Lite Brite
Sharing the magical experience you had with Lite Brite with the newer generation is as fun & rewarding as ever with the newly updated Lite Brite! Inspired by the most iconic packaging style through the years, this new retro version combines the best of the original with new updated features for the best glowing peg play ever. Lite Brite was the original creator of combining peg art with light and is still the leader in providing that amazing pay off. Easy and fun for anyone of all ages. Just follow the template or Art Guide pictures to put the corresponding colored pegs into the directed peg holes & anyone can create beautiful pictures that glow. Follow the pre-designed pattern or create your own bright & colorful masterpieces, the possibilities are endless! The sleek white tablet with black board has light behind it. Just push the button to see the 4 different light shows you get to choose from in order to enhance your art blinking, pulsing, steady and random offer a new & exciting experience. Storage tray keeps your pegs organized with an easy open and close lid that snaps shut. The storage tray has 2 plugs that snap into your tablet for safe keeping. Promotes imagination and develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development.
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
ViewMaster Boxed Set
The ViewMaster is back! Now you and your children can enjoy a favorite play toy from your past with this ViewMaster Boxed Set. Take a trip through Africa, swim with the fish, or experience prehistoric life with each ViewMaster reel. This boxes set features 21 3D images and a reel storage case. For Ages: 3+
Buy: Barnes & Noble | Kohl’s
Etch A Sketch
For more than 50 years, children and adults alike have been discovering the magical world of creativity and pencil-free drawing with Classic Etch A Sketch! The iconic frame, easy-to-use knobs, classic magic screen and shake-to-erase feature — not to mention the endless hours of fun it provides — have made it popular all around the world! Sketch, erase, and sketch again with Etch A Sketch. Features the original magic screen that’s fun and easy to use! Left knob draws left and right, right knob draws up and down. Turn both knobs together for angles and curves! When you’re done, turn over and shake to erase — then, start the fun all over again!
Spirograph
The classic way for aspiring artists to create millions of amazing designs is back and better than ever! The Original Spirograph® Deluxe Set features all the iconic wheels and rings of the original, re-engineered and updated for today. The kit features a high quality, durable carrying case with snap-in storage and a built-in drawing surface. The precision engineered Spirograph® gears work with the 3 retractable ballpoint pens included in the set as well as with most standard pens, markers and pencils. The new Spiro-Putty holds the Spirograph® pieces securely on the paper so that you can create intricately beautiful designs with no holes in the paper! The set also comes with 20 sheets of design paper and a full color design guide, which explains the fundamentals of drawing with Spirograph® as well as step-by-step instructions for creating your own designs!
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
-16 Comments-
I totally still have my Lite Brite in the basement that I will share with my kiddos someday. I love vintage baby toys especially!
I have fond memories of my lite brite! That thing kept me busy, even when I had no paper templates left!
We still play around with an old Viewmaster ourselves! Did you know there are companies still making custom reels using your own photos?!
Scott recently posted..Mega Giveaway Day 29 – Godfather Corleone’s Empire Game
I had no idea, but I absolutely love that they do that!
Yes! So many of these toys take me right back to my childhood. I think my 5 year old nephew would love a Lite Brite!
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We are getting our 9 yr old daughter the original size Etch a Sketch this yr she has been asking about because we can’t find it in store! Very nice list.
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We finally found the classic Etch A Sketch over the summer, and then, of course, I ended up finding my old one just a few weeks later!
I LOVVVVEEED my light brite! It was the best and I remember being so excitd to get it!
My daughter got Spirograph last year for Christmas and she loves it. The one I had as a kids needed pins to hold it in place.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom recently posted..Pulling Myself Together
Loved lite brite
Boy, these toys take me back! My little guy would probably enjoy the Lite Brite most of all.
Tami recently posted..The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible
My heart is so happy to see some of these come back!! Although, I bet they aren’t made lke they were in the 80’s 😉 Our toys were resilient back then!
OMG, I love all these! The Etch a Sketch os a total classic, something you never get tired of. And we STILL have our original Spirograph!! It’s all metal…I think the ones these days are plastic. TOTALLY COOL!
The Ant Farms! I remember we had these as a kids, but my mom wouldn’t let us keep them inside. We had to leave them outside. I guess she was afraid the anys would get out!
omg you had me at lite bright that was my favourite toy growing up as well as etch a sketch.
I got my kids a lite brite for Christmas this year, i’ll probably have more fun with it than they will. Haha! I love the etch a sketch idea too, i’ll have to get one of those. I loved mine as a kid.