Toy advertisements have long been a powerful tool for capturing the imaginations of children and influencing purchase decisions. Toy ads don’t just showcase products — they tell stories, creating emotional connections that resonate with children and parents alike.
Long before the internet and influencers shaped children’s desires, printed toy ads were published in magazines, catalogues, and trade publications and ignited young imaginations. Children eagerly added the toys they saw in ads to their wish lists in hopes that a special occasion — such as a birthday or Christmas — might bring their dreams to fruition.
Let’s flip through time and reminisce about some of the classic toys that topped those wish lists, such as the Easy-Bake Oven, Slinky, Cabbage Patch Kids, and others.
