Released by Milton Bradley in 1978, the Crossword game pitted players against each other to see who could assemble the highest-scoring crosswords before the time ran out.

Although Shrinky Dinks have been around since the 1970s, these “shrink like magic” craft kits truly took off in the 1980s after Colorforms secured the rights to license and distribute them from their original creators.

In Topper Toys’ Clock-A-Word, players competed to form the longest possible word from a random selection of 9 letters in the shortest amount of time.

In 1961, Ohio Art released Magnastiks, a construction set that allowed children to “experience the wonder of magnetism.”

Published by Parker Brothers in 1974, The Inventors board game set players on a race to riches accomplished by purchasing and patenting inventions and identifying wise investment opportunities.

If you’re looking to let off some steam, the Bop the Beetle game might be the release you need.

Manufactured Hot Potato games have adorned store shelves since the 1950s. In 1966, Ohio Art threw its hat in the ring with the release of Spudsie, the Hot Potato Game.

Released in 1978 from Child Guidance, Big Mouth Singers introduced children to musical tones and tunes with a simple keyboard and eight colourful chorus characters.

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.