Nicolas Ricketts explores classic board games that use politics as the backdrop, revealing how they reflect historical events, societal trends, and strategic thinking.

Released in 1968, the Zoom-Loom Automatic Weaving Machine from Kenner allowed children to design & make their own placemats, scarves, pot holders, and more.

Released in 1982 from Tomy, the Great Gears mechanical puzzle was both challenging and stylish.

Released in 1978 from Playskool, the Bug World playset reimagined the lives of bugs to mimic the human world, complete with a shower and car.

Released by Milton Bradley in 1994, the Channel Surfing game from Milton Bradley swapped a game board for a series of cards and a television set with remote to complete challenges and earn points.

In the 1960s, Willmar, Minnesota-based Molenaar Inc., released Ringa-Majigs, a construction toy for children ages 3 and up.

Jumping goats were center stage in Parker Brothers’ whimsical Hey Pa! There’s a Goat on the Roof.

After they acquired Argo Industries, Coleco continued to market toys from the company’s line of Junior Chef “See-It” toys, including the Tasty Custard Maker.

2025 has finally arrived – the perfect time for a top-10 list of the most popular articles on Toy Tales in 2024.

Released by Parker Brothers in 1984, Care Bears Warm Feelings was a spin-and-move board game that had players collaborate to achieve a common goal before they could compete to win the game.

Graham Hancock, toy collector and editor of Blocks magazine, examines LEGO’s foray into rail-running train sets.

Released by Cragstan in 1969, Skeedaddle Ring Toss was a version of the classic amusement park game with a twist—it moved while you were playing it.