In 1970, Milton Bradley introduced a curious little construction set called Peg Craft, billed as an “Easy-Build Fun Kit” for ages 6 to 12. Instead of the variety of shapes found in many building toys of the time, Peg Craft relied on a single piece type: a small, forked peg made of flexible, colourful plastic.
The appeal of the toy lay in its simplicity. Every piece could connect to every other piece in multiple ways: stacked like ladders, interlocked like fences, or fanned out in geometric patterns. The inside of the box promised endless creations, from rockets, wagons, and chairs to bracelets, crowns, and coasters.
Marketed as both a creative craft kit and a construction toy, Peg Craft reflected Milton Bradley’s effort to appeal broadly to both boys and girls. The sets encouraged children to experiment, build, and then easily take their creations apart to start fresh again.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Though Peg Craft never achieved the fame of LEGO or Tinkertoy, its colorful and versatile design makes it an appealing mid-century curiosity for collectors. Complete sets include pegs in six different colours (red, yellow, blue, green, black, white), a plastic insert tray, and a fold-out booklet that provides additional design ideas.
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