Vintage Toys & Games

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

Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, Kenner routinely advertised and placed premiums inside of some of General Mills most popular cereals, like Cheerios. Usually in booklet form, these promotions offered cash refunds on all of the company’s popular toys, including the Easy-Bake Oven.

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.

In the 1980s, Ohio Art released an electronic version of the Etch A Sketch that allowed kids to create electronic flip-board-style cartoons.

Released by Milton Bradley in 1971, Voice of the Mummy lets players imagine they are explorers hunting for jewels inside the tomb of an ancient pharaoh.

Following the success of UNO, International Games Inc. (IGI) released another family-friendly card game, Grabitz, in 1979. Inspired by Spoons, Grabitz is also a last-person-standing game for 2 – 6 players.

Released in 1978 by Lakeside, Intercept: The Electronic Search and Destroy Game is a classic Cold War-era battle game for two players.

In the early 1970s, Kenner released a series of Presto-Molder playsets for children to make a variety of shapes and objects from Play-Stone molding compound.

Released in 1967 by Transogram, the Bizzzy Bee Knitter replicated a vintage sewing machine from the 1920s.

Released by Marx in 1963, the Sooper Snooper 4-Way Scope was a worthy addition to any junior secret agent’s collection of spy gear.

The Razz-Ma-Tazz Player Piano was one of Hubley Manufacturing Company’s efforts in the 1960s to diversify into toys made of plastic.

Sean Jacquemain – a lifelong game enthusiast and gaming-focused writer – shares his fondness for analog play and the connections it forges.

If the thought of a toothache gives you anxiety about an emergency trip to the dentist’s office, the game Toothache will give you a different perspective. Launched in the early 1970s by Kohner Bros., the mechanical puzzle put an upbeat spin on dental malady.

Tony Temple – arcade game historian, collector, and writer – divulges the ups and downs of arcade collecting and restoring.