Released in 1977 from Kenner, the Play-Doh Haunted House toy encouraged kids to express their creativity by creating “goofy goblins” made of the popular modelling compound.

Released by Schaper in 1966, The Last Straw transformed the popular idiom “the straw that broke the camel’s back” into a strategy game for children.

Released in 1977, Max Machine was an “action van” driven by Telesonic remote control.

Released by Lakeside in 1956, Perquackey was a fast-paced word-building game that had players race to form as many words as possible within a set time using lettered dice.

Released in 1974 from Playskool, the Familiar Places McDonald’s playset let children set up a fast food restaurant in the home and immerse themselves in a world of burgers and fries. 

Released by Lakeside in 1971, the Chaos board game called on players’ observation and memory skills to navigate a chaotic race across the board.

Kenner’s Easy Curl Quick Hair Setting Set let kids style their hair just like their moms.

In 1966, Topper Toys released Silly Safari, a jungle-based contraption game with 3D mechanics reminiscent of Ideal’s Mouse Trap released three years earlier.

Released in 1965 by Topper Toys, Sixfinger was a quirky spy-themed device designed to resemble an extra appendage.

Released by Milton Bradley in 1979, Downfall challenged players to beat their opponent in navigating a group of disks down the game grid using a series of wheels.

Graham Hancock, toy collector and editor of Blocks magazine, documents the LEGO Group’s foray into licensing.

Nicolas Ricketts explores classic forms of play that use glow-in-dark elements or lights to illuminate the fun as the nights grow longer.