Retro Toys & New Toys: Christmas 2016 list of fun

Toys, like fashion and fondue, have a second or even a third run at popularity. This year, a few toys from the past have definitely found their way onto current toy store shelves. Nestled alongside them are some new toys that will have adults saying, “I wish I’d had these when I was a kid.” Here’s a small list of toys—retro and new—that might be under your tree this Christmas.

Retro:

Rubik’s Cube

Invented by Hungarian sculptor and architecture professor Erno Rubik in 1974. He created it to show his students spatial relationships. It was called “Magic Cube” until 1980 when it came to North America and was renamed “Rubik’s Cube.” Since then, 350 million cubes have been sold. The current record holder is Mats Valk from the Netherlands who solved it in 5.55 seconds. When the cube first came to the North American market, it sold for $1.99 US.

Troll Doll

Invented by a Danish carpenter Thomas Dam in 1959 for his daughter. Her friends liked the doll and wanted one, too, so he began to sell his creation locally. It was made out of wood and had woollen hair and glass eyes. When it reached North America in the 60s, it was a sensation and enjoyed popularity again in the 90s. By this time, imitation plastic troll dolls flooded the market. Dam fought this in court, but lost. However, in 2013, the US returned the copyright to the Dam family. The troll doll is making a resurgence again with Dreamworks’ 2016 movie In 1963, the doll sold for $1.44 US.

Meccano

Invented by Englishman Frank Hornby in 1898. He developed the building set for his two sons so that they could recreate the loading cranes found at the Port of Liverpool. In 1902, the sets were called “Mechanics Made Easy,” but Hornby wanted a shorter name and renamed it “Meccano” in 1907. The U.S. had a similar set called “The Erector Set,” and in 2000, “Meccano” bought the “Erector” brand. By 1916, Hornby made his first million dollars. In 1901, “Meccano (Mechanic Made Easy)” sold for 7 shillings, 6 pence.

Lite-Brite

Released by Hasbro in 1967. It was a creative toy, yet simplistic in its design. Kids could create any picture they wanted with eight colours of translucent pegs that glowed when the light was turned on. The toy reached its popularity in the 1980s. Today, there are 3-D cubes, ones that spin and play music and the “Magic Screen” that folds flat and has reusable templates. In the 1967, Sears Wishbook listed the toy for $6.95 US.

Simon Says

Invented by Ralph Baer in association with Marvin Glass & Associates in 1978. It was based on the Atari arcade game called “Touch Me.” Baer and Glass developed the game to test people’s memory by being able to repeat the musical-light sequence the game gave them, which became increasingly longer every time a person reproduced the right sequence. When the game was released, Studio 54 held a midnight release party for it. In the 1980s, the game reached its height in popularity. Today, the most recent version is the “Simon Swipe.” In 1978, the game sold for $14.95 US.

New:

Snap Circuits

For kids—and adults—who love to learn about electricity safely. Colour pictures of circuit maps are provided so people can put the circuit segments onto plastic modules. No tools are required, as the pieces just snap together. The toy was created with the concept of “learn by doing.” A person’s computer can be used to monitor the circuits by viewing the voltage going through the device. People can make an AM or FM radio, doorbell, burglar alarm and digital voice recorders. For kids aged 8-years and older.

MagSnaps and Magformers

Similar building toys. The “MagSnaps” piece together due to its magnetic edges to make 2-D and 3-D constructions like houses, castles, towers, pyramids, etc. They come in various triangle and square sizes and shapes, and are in translucent, brilliant colours. “Magformers” come in a few more shapes, and have sets where people can build dinosaurs, moving vehicles and add lights. For kids aged 3-years and older.

Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar

Fisher Price puts out this toy that helps kids problem solve, code and sequence. The nine segments of the caterpillar can be rearranged in any order the kids choose. They can put it in a particular sequence to go around objects. Each segment does a different task such as move forward, right, left, wiggle, dance and stop. For kids aged 3-years and older.

3-D Magic ImagiPen

For the doodlers in all of us. This pen ejects a gel that the person pumps out and it hardens into plastic under the LED lights at the tip. A person can draw in mid-air, make jewellery, decorate books and mirrors—a person is limited only by his or her own imagination with this toy. For kids 8-years and older.