Welcome to our newest feature, Journey through Christmases Past. This series is a nostalgic celebration of the holidays we all remember...
- The history and traditions of the holiday.
- The décor that filled our homes.
- The toys that defined each decade.
- The television and movie shows that brightened the season.
- The outfits we adored (and the ones we definitely didn’t).
Happy Sunday! How is your February going? With Christmas 313 days away, I am bringing you along on a journey through some popular toys of my childhood--some I owned, and others I only hoped for. After this post, you will understand why Gen Xers are so tough.
Lincoln Logs
Much to my mother’s horror, I was that kid who kept wandering into the “boys’ toys” aisle. See this 1976 Lincoln Logs ad where the one girl is being “helped” by a man (presumably Dad), while the boys are off building solo? How subtle. Lincoln Logs were already decades old by then, but they made a comeback in the 60s and 70s. I asked for a set every year, but my mother would buy me another doll in the hopes I would enjoy them and forget about those "other" toys.
So, I waited until our girls were born, and spoiled them with the Lincoln Logs I never had. They played with those Lincoln Logs constantly, creating their own buildings despite the included instructions with photos.
Hot Wheels Race Tracks
The only thing I wanted more than Lincoln Logs was a Hot Wheels race track set. Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars were sold singly for under a dollar back then, so I had a nice collection. As you can tell by these commercials, though, race tracks were not meant for girls in those years. In fairness to my mother, I'm not sure we had enough room for some of these sets, but that little detail didn't stop me from asking regularly.
Sesame Street Plush Toys
I grew up on Sesame Street. We only had like five TV stations, so PBS was on a lot. I loved Big Bird, and my sister loved Grover. This was way before Elmo came on the scene. I had this Big Bird toy, whose photo I grabbed from an Etsy listing. For some reason, Big Bird's beak was made out of firm, rubbery plastic. Who thought that was a good idea?
Now, maybe it was just my family, but when the kids got out of hand, they swung things at each other. While Grover's cardboard mouth, which opened and closed, could sting a bit, Big Bird's plastic beak hurt like heck when someone hit you with it.
Clackers
Photo credit: cavdu.shop
Speaking of toys that hurt like heck. Does anyone remember Clackers? With the proper flick of your wrist, you would get those balls hitting one another up and down with a nice "clack." If not, they would whack you on the wrist. I recall many black and blue bruises on my arms. I guess, at least mine never shattered and took out my eye. There are numerous reports about them being pulled off the market for that very reason.
Big Wheels
Photo credit Mikesvintagetoyz as featured in Car & Driver
This is another toy I had, which amazes me that no one was concerned about. I guess the vibrant primary colors could say, "Hey, look out, little kid ahead," but at under 24 inches, no one was likely going to see you. The hard plastic wheels had no traction, so if I had been allowed to take this for a ride outside of my yard, I would have gone flying down the hill we lived on, pulled the blue brake lever, and tumbled out into the street when it toppled over. Ah, good times!
Jarts (lawn darts, javelin darts)
Photo credit: KQED
Nothing spells F-U-N like weighted lawn darts with metal ends that you toss in the air. Jarts was an outdoor game that I played with and without my parents around. The goal was to get your lawn darts inside one of the two plastic hoops set up at opposite sides of the lawn. To win, you had to be the first player or team to score 21 points. Because of the number of injuries caused by Jarts, they are banned in the US and Canada. In all the years we played them, we were lucky enough not to have any issues.
Drowsy Doll
Photo credit WorthPoint
My mother scored big with the Drowsy doll. It was the one doll I remember playing with all the time. Maybe it was her bowl haircut, her whining for another drink of water, or that creepy laugh when you pulled her string. I thought her eyes actually closed, but it looks like her eyes are painted in a half-shut position. She had a variety of sayings. I have no idea where mine ended up. I wish I had her now, but I am sure she would need a makeover.
What are some toys you remember from your childhood? Were any of the toys you played with banned or considered dangerous in later years? What is one toy you wish you still had?
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