1960s toy timeline. The development of boys action toys, including GI Joe, Matt Mason, Aurora monsters and Marx toys. Also includes early Barbie dolls as precursors to GI Joe. This is a segment from In Love With Toys, a documentary about toy collecting that I produced in 1995. The video received national retail distribution. The original master was unavailable, so this clip was transferred from a used VHS tape. As a result, the audio/video quality is poor.

www.ourfuture.org is the home of the Campaign for America’s Future. Imported toys from China with dangerous levels of lead end up in US stores. Yet, Nancy Nord, the acting head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, opposes efforts to strengthen her agency. Plus, she’s taken trips paid for by the industries she regulates. It’s clear Nancy Nord must resign.

American toys have been around for as long as we can remember. In the beginning American toys were simple items such as balls, dolls, cars and trucks and believe it or not these American toys are still around today. When you think American toys; Barbie, matchbox cars, Legos and GI Joes instantly come to mind. If you purchased one of these items when they first hit the market and kept them in good condition they are very valuable today. When you think about American toy manufacturers Playschool and Mattel are at the top of the list. These companies have been around for a very long time and many people grew up playing with them, they have produced one great toy after another and still continue to do so. American toys have evolved with time just like everything else in this amazing world. They have to be of interest to kids today in this high tech world. You can now send Barbie on amazing adventures through your computer, or play fashion designers with her many outfits. Her family has expanded and now includes friends, siblings and pets. Matchbox cars has also created an online presence, they have changed the design of there vehicles to offer some really far out cars and trucks. Cool racing vehicles and vintage automobiles are always going to be popular. GI Joe is now nearly extinct which probably makes him one of the most valuable American toys you can own. Legos now have cool themes like pirate, knights in shining armor or sci-fi creatures. Although these classic American toys are still available many more have been added to the list. Step inside any American home with children and you will find Legos, video games and plenty of high tech toys to amuse your child for hours. Some children even have there own computer. Many American toys are modeled after characters on popular televisions shows like Barney and Dora the Explorer. These characters often come and go and the more popular ones become collectors’ items, like GI Joe and Barbie. If you want to have a special toy that you will keep as a collector’s item, the best idea is to keep it in its original wrapper. That will usually make it more valuable. Yet the real fun of American toys is that children love to play with them and use them to the fullest extent. To handle this, you can get one toy for collecting and an identical one for play. Another option is to get great, sturdy American toys that will hold up to any kind of use your children dish out. There certainly has been a wide variety in children’s toys, both in the past and in the present. Children enjoy playing make believe from an early age, and continue to do so long after they are sometimes willing to admit. In fact, some parents even have been known to get on the floor and play with Tonka trucks or baby dolls with their children. It often appears that they are having as much fun as their children. That is one way American toys are a part of a happy family.

My collection has sentimental value to me but I am considering selling them, possibly on e-bay. I am wondering whether I will do better and be happier about selling them to someone who appreciates them. They are in fair to excellent condition. E.g., Screech, Spinning Wheel, Close N’ Play Phonograph, Barbie camper, Timey Tell Doll, Chrissy Doll, Velvet Doll, Baby Tenderlove, Peachy and her Puppets, Dawn dolls & case, handmade Barbie clothes, doll clothes, etc.

www.ToysGuideOnline.com … “toys guide” “vintage Barbie dolls” “transformers toys” robots bears “toy soldiers” “toy story” child “Winnie The Pooh” “fire trucks” “antique dolls”

Electronic gadgets and video games top the list of most popular kids toys, among all ages. But are you looking for something different?  As a child, you probably remember your favorite childhood toy.   That same wave of nostalgia can guide you while shopping for the perfect classic toy for that special child in your life! Whether you shop online or at a  local store for kids toys, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially when there are tons of toys and games from which to select.   If you are looking for something different guaranteed to put a smile on your favorite child’s face, then you should consider giving a classic toy, or maybe a few of them. Many parents and children enjoy spending quality time together playing classic board games.   Today video games are popular, however, they do not allow much interaction between children and parents.   There are always the classic games that encourages family participation. Other family-oriented games that children can play with their parents include checkers, chess, pool, jig-saw puzzles, dart boards, air hockey tables, and shuffle boards. If you’re shopping for a little boy, then you may decide on a ride-on toy, flag football set, authentic camping set, archery set, die-cast vehicles, rubber horse shoes kit, arcade shooting games, bummer cars, pedal toys, tin toys, and wooden building toys.   Nothing says classic toys better than a toy tractor and trailer! There are also just as many kids toys when it comes to shopping for a special occasion for that special little girl.   Of course Barbie dolls are always a hit, especially the 1959 original Barbie doll.   Other toys include Barbie accessories and products, tea sets, toy kitchens and cookware, toy market stores, or colorful frilly girly chairs, small couches, ottomans, pillows and blankets. Are you looking for something with a little more personal touch to make the gift more memorable?  Bookshelves, step stools, rocking chairs, backpacks, mirrors, and coat racks are all great kids toys for either a boy or girl.   Adding attention to detail by personalizing the gift you decide on shows that you put extra thought into the selection. Parents looking for kids toys that help the child to develop both socially and emotionally, are in luck because there are tons of options!  Depending on the age of the child, there are educational toys for every age.   Babies learn their surroundings by playing with brightly colored toys from musical animals, activity blocks and waterproof toys at bath time.   Early childhood toys and activity books teach children valuable skills such as reading and telling time.   Older children might be more difficult to shop for but toys such as a Lite Bright or replica of a NASA rocket complete with outfit would be great.   Classic toys do not need batteries and are truly a wonderful way to spend quality time with your family and teach children valuable skills to succeed in life!

There’s something about 1950s toys that just makes us smile. Though they lack the batteries, blinking lights, and loud noises of modern day toys, they have a way of transporting us back to simpler times. What’s great about these toys is that they can still be enjoyed today and for less money than all the high tech toys that are being sold. With just a few creative touches, you can make these toys just as appealing to your children, if not more so, than any of their modern equivalents. Here are some ways you can make these 1950s toys more enjoyable starting today. Mr. Potato HeadYou can’t mention 1950s toys without acknowledging Mr. Potato Head. While we’re all familiar with this fun little guy with changeable eyes, mouth, ears, it may be less known that this was the first toy to ever be advertised on television. To enjoy this toy with your children, try to boost their creativity by having them write or tell stories about the different personalities they can make by changing the facial features of Mr. Potato Head. Or you could create different looks for Mr. Potato Head and have your children act them out for helping them with their imagination. Hula HoopWhen thinking of 1950s toys, one of the things that might come to mind is the Hula Hoop. This toy has become so popular the new hit video game, Wii Fit, includes a mini-game where you use your own body to make a character on the screen swing a Hula Hoop around their body. Can’t shell out the money for the Nintendo Wii? No problem. Try holding a Hula Hoop competition with your children and record their results over time. They’ll have fun and get exercise at the same time. To make this even better, use several Hula Hoops and see who can spin the most around their waist at the same time. Barbie DollIn 1959, young girls got a toy that would become their new best friend. At long last, Barbie made her entrance into the 1950s toys scene. Any trip to a toy store today shows that she’s just as popular today as she was then. To enjoy Barbie with your children today, you can purchase video games like Barbie Fashion Designer and help them imagine life in the fashion world. Or you could also award points for chores your children complete that they can use towards purchasing new items for their Barbie dolls. If you look at popular online games like Neopets and Webkinz, you’ll see that this system really works for motivating your children. 1950s toys can be a great alternative to the loud and obnoxious toys that are available today. While it might be easier to entertain your children with expensive products, often it’s best to use tried and true products in new ways to help them boost their creativity, get them exercising, and help them get their chores done.
Visit Toys of the 1950s for a selection of games, dolls, trains, and other toys from your favorite era.