Best Retro Toys for Kids of All Ages
Talk about a throwback! These classic toys truly stand the test of time while managing to still capture active minds and imaginations. Check out our roundup of retro toys that easily compete in today's digital age without all of the bells and whistles. Parents, get ready to revisit your childhood and reminisce about fun games and activities that not only never grow old but make you want to be a kid again. Check out some of our perennial favorites you can find at Walmart, Amazon and Target now.
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Fisher-Price Classics Retro Record Player
While most kids have no clue what a real record player is, let alone a 45 (are we dating ourselves here?), this fun Fisher-Price Classics Retro Record Player is still entertaining music-loving little ones. Kids can play 10 songs, including "Jack and Jill," "Humpty Dumpty," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and more on five grooved records just like Mom did when she was a little girl. Recommended for kids ages 18 months and up. ($29; walmart.com)
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Playskool Mr. Potato Head
While this special spud has had his own TV series, appeared in all three Toy Story movies and has taken down countless parents who've experienced the misfortune of stepping on one of his body parts while barefoot, Playskool's Mr. Potato Head remains a teaching tool that toddlers continue to love. The potato figure comes with a removable nose, eyes, mouth, tongue, mustache, hat, glasses, two hands, two ears and a pair of legs with shoes that can all be stored in his "Tater Tush" when playtime is over. Recommended for kids ages 2 and up. ($14; amazon.com)
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Lincoln Logs
Move over LEGOs! Invented by John Lloyd Wright, Lincoln Logs are over 100 years old and still a favorite of tiny builders who love constructing cool log houses. This amazing anniversary tin holds 111 wooden pieces, crafted in high-quality maple wood. The set contains instructions to create three structures including a tall tower, a large log cabin or a small cabin with a bonfire. Kids can also use their imaginations to create hundreds of unique buildings and houses on their own. Perfect for creative minds and kids ages 3 to 6. ($45; amazon.com)
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Schylling Balloon Powered Boat
Remote controls? Who needs 'em! This classic, wooden Schylling Balloon Powered Boat relies on good old fashion fun. Kids can simply blow up the propelling balloon, attach it to the boat and watch it go. They can even race boats with friends. Designed for kids ages 4 and up. ($8; amazon.com)
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Crayola Original Silly Putty
Talk about a blast from the past! Kids first started playing with Silly Putty over 75 years ago. The original Silly Putty could be spread over newspapers and comics to pick up the design on the paper or pulled in different directions to see how far it would stretch. Today, kids can knead it, roll it and bounce it for fun. Comes in the same egg-shaped cup as the original. Designed for ages 4 and up. ($5; amazon.com)
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Lite-Brite
Illuminating cool designs on a light board is hardly a thing of the past, thanks to this timeless toy! Lite-Brite is still shedding light on creative fun with a bigger board and over 200 colorful pegs, lit by battery-operated bulbs. This set also comes with special light effects and six design templates for hours of imaginative fun. Designed for kids ages 4 to 15. ($14; target.com)
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Mattel Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots
Dad, remember Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots? Now you can challenge your little guy to a few rounds in the ring with this classic Mattel boxing game. Just be careful not to knock his block off too many times! Designed for kids ages 6 and up. ($25; target.com)
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Classic Twister
Who hasn't tried placing a left hand on the red circle with a right foot on green without completely losing it? With a spin of the wheel, Hasbro's Twister has been testing balance skills and making families fall into fits of laughter while trying not to topple over on one another for over 50 years. Want to bet your kids are up for trying out their winning moves? Recommended for kids ages 6 and up. ($19; walmart.com)
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Mattel Games Magic 8 Ball Retro Edition
Is it possible that asking your Magic 8 Ball to foretell the future will ever grow old? "Don't count on it." Who needs a fortune-teller when this Mattel game continues to hold all of the answers with a simple shake. Perfect for inquisitive kids wondering if they can get out of doing chores. "Ask again later." Fun for kids ages 6 and up. ($14; amazon.com)
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Melissa & Doug Classic Pick-Up Sticks Game
Long before Jenga, there were Pick-Up Sticks. It still takes a very steady hand to slowly remove a stick without moving the others jumbled in a pile. Kids can put their mental skills to the test trying to figure out how to gather the sticks in this Melissa & Doug Classic Pick-Up Sticks Game and not lose their turn. Great for hand-eye coordination and concentration, not to mention hours of fun! The game comes with 41 classically styled wooden sticks in a wood box. Recommended for kids ages 6 to 10. ($23; amazon.com)
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The Original Rubik's Cube
Rubik's Cube was one of the hottest toys in the '80s, and kids of all ages have been trying to figure out how to solve the 3D combination puzzle ever since. Both frustrating and fun, cubers will have a blast twisting and turning to match the colors on each side. Fast fingers who have mastered the mystery of solving the cube can try to beat the current world record of 3.47 seconds, though that may take loads of practice! Recommended for kids ages 8 and up. ($14; walmart.com)
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Slinky
Wondering why playing with this simple metal toy is so much fun? Just check out all of the YouTube videos of kids sharing their best Slinky tricks. Even after over 70 years of stretching and slowly wobbling down stairways, Slinkys still manage to amuse kids of all ages. ($17; amazon.com)
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Duncan Genuine Imperial Yo-Yo Classic Toy
Yo-yo champs who have mastered around the world, the breakaway, and rock the baby long ago will love teaching these same cool tricks to their kiddos with this Duncan Genuine Imperial Yo-Yo Classic Toy. Fun fact: Yo-yos date all the way back to 500 B.C. Recommended for kids ages 8 and up. ($5; amazon.com)
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Classic Monopoly Game
For over 80 years, families everywhere have spent countless hours playing with this famous board game, buying up houses and hotels to bankrupt their opponents. This classic Monopoly set comes with a game board, 8 tokens, 28 title deed cards,16 chance cards, 16 Community Chest cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels, money, a game guide and a pair of dice. Not to mention plenty of good old family time fun! Recommended for kids ages 8 and up. ($20; amazon.com)
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Original Spirograph Kit with Markers
Spirograph is almost 60 years old, and kids are still sketching cool, colorful swirls, shapes and geometric designs with this crafty kit. This Original Spirograph Kit comes with over 30 pieces, including 8 markers, 19 precision Spirograph wheels, a 14-page guide book, storage tray and much more. Designed for kids ages 8 and up, the set is perfect for promoting hand-eye coordination and creative thinking. ($15; target.com)
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