The best selling toys of the last 50 years

Remember Eagle-Eyed Action Man? And the Space Hopper? Ah, for the toys of yesteryear, before kids clamoured for the latest flashy computer game or all-singing, all-dancing robot.

To show you just how much toys have changed over the last 50 years, here’s a guide to the bestsellers of each decade.

1960s

Toys got safer in the 60s, as strict guidelines restricted the use of celluloid, banned sharp edges and toxic dyes. And plastic was king, giving rise to a whole new range of toys, including the iconic Barbie doll, launched by Mattel at the New York toy fair wearing a black-and-white bathing suit.

Other big hits included:

• Scalextric
• Twister
• Etch-A-Sketch
• Spirograph
• Action Man
• Sindy
• Hot Wheels
• Thunderbirds
• Dr Who and the Daleks figures
• Corgi’s James Bond Aston Martin

1970s

This decade saw a global backlash against conflicts like the Vietnam War, so toy weapons stopped being produced. This led to more innovation by manufacturers – for example, Action Man became more of an adventurer and less of a military character, as well as getting nifty eagle eyes. And Danish toy Lego became hugely popular.

Other bestsellers included:

• The Space Hopper
• Klackers
• Airfix’s Weebles
• Movie spinoff action figures from Star Wars, Jaws, Superman and The Six Million Dollar Man.
• Dungeon and Dragons board games
• Atari’s Pong, the first-ever video game
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1980s

Although the 80s saw developments like child-sized domestic appliances and the first plastic lunchbox, video and computer technology dominated every child’s leisure time. Games like Atari’s Space Invaders could now be played on handheld consoles, while interactive speak and spell toys made learning fun. These included Alphie, the Electronic Robot, and Vtech computers for pre-school kids.

Other hits included:

• Fantasy toys like Sylvanian Families, My Little Pony, Care Bears and the Smurfs

• Cabbage Patch Kids
• Action Figures from Masters of the Universe and Transformers
• Rubik's Cube
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Mattel’s Big Yellow Teapot

1990s

In the 90s, ethical, environmental and ecological concerns began to be taken seriously, as did toy safety. At the same time, the sale of CDs, computers and computer games rocketed – by the end of the decade over half the toys sold were video games. Nintendo’s Game Boy was a massive seller, as were cyberpets like Tamagotchi.

Other bestsellers included:

• Buzz Lightyear action figures from the Toy Story movie

• Thunderbirds’ reissued and revamped Tracy Island
• Beanie Babies and Polly Pocket
• Teletubbies
• K'nex construction kits
• Pokemon trading cards
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
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2000s

Today’s kids are lucky enough to be able to choose from traditional teddy bears, games, trains, prams, building kits and rocking horses, plus a wealth of newfangled recreational and educational toys. Video games continue to dominate, with high-powered new consoles like the Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 bringing previously undreamt-of control and realism to gaming. Handheld consoles like the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS mean kids need never be without their games fix, while iPods and mobile phones are de rigueur for kids from eight and up.

Other hits include: 

Thanks!
Loads of thanks to the Museum of Childhood for their help with this article, and give them a visit - it's free to get in!

• Bratz dolls
• Ultra-lifelike dolls like Baby Annabell
• Animatronic toys like Robosapien and Roboraptor
• Hi-tech remote control toys like the Flytech Dragonfly
• The ever-popular Top Trumps
• Geomag
• Kiddie computers like the Dora the Explorer Laptop
• Electronic puzzle games like 20Q
• Old-favourite board games like Scrabble and Monopoly
• Merchandise from the Harry Potter films
• Music and movies

Author

Dan Roberts is a feature-writer and columnist with over ten years’ experience of working for The Guardian, The Observer, The Independent, Daily Express and Mail on Sunday, as well as numerous national magazines. His areas of expertise include health, wellbeing, relationships, psychology and parenting. Dan also writes two monthly columns, including Diary of a Single Dad, a humorous but affectionate account of raising his ten-year-old son, Ben. The best of Dan’s work can be found on his website at www.dan-roberts.net

What do you remember?

Can you remember the classic toys of your youth? Have you still got any of them - do your kids get into them? Use our comments system below...