Color outside the lines. It’s National Crayon Day.
Swoop from Whitman (1969)
Published by Whitman in 1969, Swoop was a strategy board game in which teams of spacemen raced around a grid, aiming to reach the centre of the board.
Forty Years of Story and Play: The Enduring Legacy of American Girl and Its Historical Characters
Blake Changnon, president, CEO, and founder of The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles, reflects on 40 years of American Girl dolls and the stories, characters, and history behind their enduring appeal.
Tabletop Games, Vintage Toys & Games
Trespass from Parker Brothers (1974)
Released in 1974 by Parker Brothers, Trespass was a two-player strategy game that combined hidden objectives with grid-based positional movement.
Cameron Smith-Rodewald, PEZ
Cameron Smith-Rodewald collects PEZ. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Cameron shares how a childhood curiosity became a 3,700-piece collection and lifelong passion.
David Sleasman, The Strong National Museum of Play
David Sleasman is the director of library and archives at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. In this edition of The Friday Five, David provides insight into how children’s literature shapes our understanding of childhood and culture, and explains its lasting influence on play, learning, and identity.
Remco
Remco built a lasting legacy in the toy industry through its innovative use of recovered electrical parts, television advertising, and established pop-culture properties.
Marble Run – Essential 70-Piece Set from Thames & Kosmos
Build, experiment, and discover with the 70-piece Marble Run Set from Thames & Kosmos.
Hasbro 1981 Toy Catalogue
Hasbro’s 1981 toy catalogue presented a wide-ranging assortment organized by play category and age group.
According to Global Market Insights, the STEM toy industry is expected to hit USD 13 billion in revenue in 2032.
Play is our brain's favourite way of learning."
— Diane Ackerman
Red-Flag Phrases to Watch for in Vintage Toy & Game Listings
Not every listing tells the full story. Here are common red-flag phrases to watch for when buying vintage toys and games online.
Plinko
Fans of The Price is Right’s Plinko game can create a home version with cardboard and a little tenacity.
Tuff Stuff Shoppin’ Basket from Mattel (1972)
The Tuff Stuff Shoppin’ Basket was part of the company’s Preschool line and designed to support role-play centered on everyday shopping activities.
