Best Nostalgic Toys
Your little one will love these timeless toys you cherished in childhood, too.
By Rosie Colosi
Do you remember the distinctly comforting scent of your Cabbage Patch 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 or your child’s childhood (hi, grandma!). 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. And it turns out, those classic toy makers weren’t just designing toys for the fun of it—some of these classic picks also possess developmental benefits (for more targeted toys, we also have toys that develop fine motor skills like blocks and clay, as well as toys that are good for gross motor skills, like walkers and balance bikes).
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 may recognize some of these toys from their appearances in the “Toy Story” movies.
Safety note: Some of the toys and games listed here have small pieces, so if you’re gifting for a baby or toddler, check to make sure the toy is age appropriate.
Get ready to smile when you see some familiar friends! Here are some of our favorite nostalgic toys:
Best Nostalgic Toys & Games
Rosie Colosi
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.
