Vintage Toys & Games

In the legacy of wacky products that Wham-O released in the 1960s and 1970s, Poke-a-Bone is surely top of the list.

Some items featured on Toy Tales stick in our minds, many of them would be fantastic gifts. This is our 2019 holiday gift guide, chock full of objects that are sure to delight and inspire conversation about the ingenious nature of the gift and the gift-giver!

Chutes and Ladders has been a hit with the kindergarten set since it was introduced in the United States in 1943, by Milton Bradley.

Before the proliferation of handheld electronics and computer-based video games, there were the Tru-Action sports simulation tabletop games – powered by a rudimentary engineering concept: vibration.

Payday from Parker Brothers challenges players to make it through a month of bills, financial pitfalls, and monetary gains to be the player with the most cash at the end of the month.

Released by Wham-O in 1964, Monster Magnet is one of the many zany toys that were key to Wham-O’s success in the 1960s.

Junior astronauts could control a fleet of spaceships with the Orbiting Spaceway, released in 1970 by Kenner.

Bash! is a Milton Bradley game for one or more players that puts a hammer in children’s hands.

Released in 1972 by Kenner, Major Roscoe Hawke’s Amazing Flying Machines allowed children to fly the friendly skies indoors.

In 1978, Fan Club Corporation of America (FCCA) began selling glow-in-the-dark Kryptonite Rocks. The idea was to cash in on the waning Pet Rock fad as well as tie into the forthcoming release of Superman: The Movie.

Released by Colorforms in 1971, the Finger of Fate was a fortune-telling “crystal ball,” a mashup of Magic 8-Ball and a Ouija board.

Released in the late 1950s, the Magnajector from Rainbow Crafts (1959) was a kid-friendly opaque projector, and the company’s first foray outside of its iconic Play-Doh modeling compound.

Thirty years ago this year, the LEGO Group sailed into uncharted waters with all-new product line captivated children around the world: LEGO Pirates.

The Sound-A-Round Talking Puzzle combined puzzle building and story telling for kids ages 3 to 7.

Pressure drives the game of Booby-Trap from Parker Brothers – both mechanically and emotionally!

Released in 1972 by Milton Bradley, the Happiness Game is a throwback to the days of flower power and hippie love culture.

“Straight out of the space age” in 1978, Alphie the Electronic Robot was a small toy robot with a great deal to offer kids aged 3-8.

Released by Ideal Toy Company in 1968, Poppin Hoppies is a heart-pounding, quick-action family game for two to four players ages five and older.