You can’t go wrong with creativity options with a Mr. Potato Head, which has entertained children since the 1950s.
You may be feeling deja vu this Christmas season as many of the same toys that made you light up as a child are coming back for an encore!
While there is no shortage of new toys out, some of your tried-and-true favorites are making their way back onto holidays lists.
Some might look the exact same all these years later, while some have made updates to acclimate into the new market. Which throwbacks will you tuck under the tree?
One cult favorite that continues to hold momentum is the EZ Bake oven. When it came out in 1963, it had a whopping $15.95 price tag but was still the sell-out toy of the year.
The first models were clunky and used two lightbulbs to eventually “cook” the included recipes, but with several remodels year to year, you’ll now see an electric model with a futuristic shape.
Buying the name brand baking mixes is still recommended, though a quick Googling will turn up recipes that will work as well.
Another popular choice on the top of many lists are the Polaroid and Instax Fuji Film cameras.
The new versions have all the fun of shaking the photo and waiting for it to develop, and fret not, you can still mimic your own parents and say, “Stop! That film is expensive!”
That said, the film is more user friendly these days. A much necessary update to attract today’s market is the selfie option as well as lots of trendy colors, cases and films.
They are also trending on the wedding scene for guests to snap pictures at the reception.
Though many of the original users have real pets and children to care for these days, virtual Tamagotchi pets from the 1990s are also making a comeback.
The first version was meant to be a fancier replacement of the pet rock, and today’s new version is quite close to that original model.
Simply nurture your pet around the clock so they’ll grow into fulfilled and happy pets.
Another pet trying to join families all over again are Pound Puppies.
Created by a longtime automaker employee, the pups were a sell-out toy of the ’80s and an estimated 200 million have been sold — more than actual dogs sold in the United States!
The revamped version still comes with adoption papers and a care guide, but as surprise reveals are all the rage in 2024, they now have bandanas revealing the personality of your new pet and of course, they come in irresistible mini sizes as well.
They also keep their potent call to action with a tagline imploring customers to give real pups a loving home. Who could say no to that?
Forest village dwelling Calico Critters are also back in the mix, too. Created in the ’80s in Japan and known outside of the United States as “Sylvanian Families,” the loveable creatures now come in several types while remaining wholesome characters who help in their communities.
You can still get each backstory in the packaging, but there is now an app to track them and even a Netflix series.
From gathering laundry off the line for crisp bedsheets to playing sports with friends, these little guys truly are a breath of fresh air to some of the sassier playtoys of today.
Despite all the tech games available, the simplistic Lite Brite sets of the ’60s are still getting their share of attention.
And can you ever go wrong with Mr. Potato Head from the 1950s?
Through the years, he and Mrs. Potato Head have dressed up as everything from Spiderman to a member of KISS.
An ear in the mouth hole still holds it’s laugh value.
Pop beads, originally marketed to adults in the 1950s, quickly became a favorite of younger girls too.
Nowadays, a bucket of beads will still make for endless combinations of fashion and fun for little fingers to build with no knots to tie.
Another fashionista favorite making a comeback is Fashion Plates.
Creative kids could mix and match different plates of hair, tops, bottoms and footwear and then rub a crayon over it to create a fresh look.
Today, there are quite a few sets that feature classic looks and newer fashion.
While it seems the board games have all kinds of themes these days, the classics never go out of style!
Hungry Hippos, Operation, Monopoly, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em and MouseTrap are favorites to unwind and enjoy into the holiday hibernation season.
Some, like Battleship, have added in electronic elements but the versions close to the originals can still be tracked down.
You can stuff their stockings with retro, battery-free fun, too. Blow their minds with a kaleidoscope, walk a Slinky down the stairs, challenge them to solve a Rubiks Cube or predict the new year with a Magic 8 Ball.
As you wade through the holiday shopping season, there are plenty of options, but going retro with a toy you had as a child can add another layer of fun to your holidays..
