Best Nostalgic Toys


Do you remember the distinctly comforting scent of your Strawberry Shortcake doll? Can you still hear the electronic voice of your Speak ‘n Spell? Remember how your heart would pound when time was almost up on Perfection and you still had five shapes left?
Toys and games may have made a lot of advances in the last few decades, but they can’t hold a candle to the classics from your childhood. And watching a child play with—and love—a toy that is so familiar to you will make your heart melt faster than the finished product from your Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine.
These classic toys are usually low-tech and have near-universal appeal, making them ideal choices when you have no idea what might be on a child’s wish list. Plus, children will recognize some of these toys from their appearances in the “Toy Story” movies.
Get ready to smile when you see some familiar friends! Here are some of our favorite nostalgic toys:
Rosie Colosi writes books for curious kids and articles for parents who are counting the minutes until bedtime. Once upon a lifetime ago, she played Mrs. Claus in The Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes, but now she mostly focuses on singing songs from Annie to her two little girls.