Released by Fisher-Price in 1970, the Pull-A-Long Lacing Shoe was an educational toy designed to help preschoolers learn how to tie a shoe and recognize basic shapes.
The yellow and blue plastic high-top sat on four bright red wheels. The back of the shoe was illustrated with scenes of Fisher-Price Play Family characters (later known as Little People) enjoying outdoor adventures.
The front of the shoe featured eight eyelets (four on each side) and came with a 50-inch cord for lacing practice. The white toe of the shoe flipped open to reveal seating for six Play Family characters, a mother, four children, and a dog. Each character’s base was shaped like a square, circle, or triangle, allowing kids to match them with corresponding holes inside the shoe. Additional shape-matching cutouts on the shoe’s exterior extended the play-and-learn experience, and a built-in opening allowed for easy retrieval of the characters.
A pull cord at the front let children tow the toy behind them as they walked.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
The Pull-A-Long Lacing Shoe followed two earlier toys with similar play patterns: the Music Box Lacing Shoe (1964) and the Play Family Lacing Shoe (1965). All three reflected Fisher-Price’s commitment to educational, hands-on play. With their colourful designs and tactile learning features, these toys not only delighted children but have since become cherished nostalgic items for collectors.
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