2003 Classic Seal

DR. TOY'S CLASSIC TOYS 
2003

Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy)

2003 Classic Seal

 

Welcome to Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys 2003

The Toy Fair celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. The occasion was marked with a look back to where the industry has been. Certainly we can easily remember the fun of the toys we played with as children. We want to share those toys with our children and grandchildren.

When your child has gotten tired of the latest fad or last season's hottest toy, where do you turn to find a product that is long-lasting? What toy did you find that was fun in your childhood. What will hold your child's interest?

Now you can turn back the clock. You can still find those fun toys that have remained "hot" and "great" playthings since they were first introduced ten years ago or more. The classic toys are the lasting favorites of all children who have played with them. These are the toys that with the passing of time have become "true classics." Many great classic toys are as much fun today as they were ten to fifty years ago or more.

What is a classic toy? These are toys that are enduring, encourage your child's involvement, are "child-powered, and of course fun. There are many favorite playthings you can recall playing with as a child, including jacks and ball, jump rope, paper dolls, kites and marbles. Anyone who has ever tried a Hula Hoop find it's a great challenge to swirl a colorful plastic hoop for exercise.

Classic toys are toys you return to from your own childhood. You can recall the fun by just closing your eyes for a few moments and you will see your favorite toy. Imagine the time you played with a Yo-Yo, Etch-A-Sketch, or Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. These are among many great toys that have become classics and never go out of style.

We have carefully surveyed the toy marketplace to collect a range of great classic toys. These are the winners of "Dr. Toy's 2003 Best Classic Toy Product" Search. For each product there is provided an evaluation description, photo, specific product information such as age range, cost, how to locate the consumer information service of the manufacturer, and some history of the company.

So if you are at a loss for an appropriate toy, check out Dr. Toy's best classic list. You will find products that your child will enjoy and also find entertaining and educational. These are toys that have met the test of time. They have endured, entertained and satisfied children for many years. These are the toys that will continue to please for many years to come. Explore for yourself to find out what all the excitement is about. Then, make some of your own excitement by finding just the right product for your own child. The product may be something everyone can share like a game or an activity.

If the toy is older than you are, perhaps your parents first shared that toy with you when you were young. They wanted to give you something special also. You can enjoy the nostalgia of the past, and carry on a family tradition that may span several generations when you find that special classic toy for your own child. Having fun is what it's all about.

Remember to look for Classic Toys throughout the year. Here are some great ones that Dr. Toy recommends in 2003. These are wonderful products to introduce to your child. Be sure they best fit their age and readiness.

Let Dr. Toy know how your child likes these Best Classic toys.

Let's play!


Bubble Pipes
Candy Land
Checkers
Chess
Dollhouse
Erector Set
Etch a Sketch
Frisbee
Gyroscope
Hula Hoop
Jacks and Ball
Jump Rope
Kaleidoscope
Kite
Marbles
Mr & Mrs Potato Head
Play Doh
Tinkertoy
Top
Yo Yo

What is your favorite classic toy? Write to nominate your favorite for the Classic Hit Parade for the next "Classic Round-up!" Dr. Toy 268 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94104.

Key to Type:

ac=Arts & Crafts ap=Active Product at=Audio Tape bg=Board Game
bo=Book cd=CD-ROM co=Construction Toy cp=Creative Product
cr=Computer-related dh=Dollhouse do=Doll el=Electronic
es=Educational Skills Product fp=Fantasy Play ho=Hobby ml=Musical
mm=Multimedia no=Novelty op=Outdoor Play pl=Plush Toy
pu=Puppet pz=Puzzle sr=Social Responsibility sw=Software
tr=Travel ts=Transportation ty=Toy vt=Video Tape


DR. TOY'S CLASSIC TOYS 2003
Company Product Type Price Age Intro Phone Website
My First Pet es $18.50 6-8 1960 800-995-9290
The Very Hungry
Caterpillar Game
bg $19.95 3-6 1993 800-232-7427
Bright Builders co cp pz $20.99 2-7 1991 800-426-4777
Place & Trace ac cp pz $14.99 2-7 1984 800-426-4777
Capsela Max-Out co $99.95 7-12 1985 800-995-4436
The Original Supermaze es ty $50.00 2-12 1983 800-661-4142
The Original
Magna Doodle
ac cp ty $14.99 3-12 1978 800-432-5437
Ball Track Set co es ty $75.00 3-7 1982 800-468-6873
Noah's Ark co es ty $79.99 3-12 1986 800-468-6873
Orchard Game bg es $37.99 3-7 1986 800-468-6873
Top-no-sis ap no tr ts ty $14.99 7-12 1993 845-895-3805
Musical Ferris Wheel ap co ty $50.00 8-12 1992 201-222-9118
Madeline Ragdoll
Collection
ty $7.99 2-5 1988 800-704-8697
Thomas Wooden
Railway System
ty $8.99 3-5 1993 800-704-8697
My Train Collection ap cp es ts ty $20.00 3-5 1985 800-421-4223
Name Train ap cp es ts ty $4.75 3-5 1993 800-421-4223
Othello bg $14.99 8-12 1973 800-736-9444
Knock-Out/Muggins bg es $39.95 6-12 1990 800-962-8849
Small Castle (3667) ap $99.99 4-12 1993 800-752-9662
Victorian Dollhouse (5300) dh $199.99 4-12 1991 800-752-9662
Traditional Spinet
(Model 6625)
es ty $159.95 2-7 1950 888-414-2739
Steel Safe with Alarm es ho no $16.99 5-12 1992 800-767-8697
Scribble Mats! ac ap cp es ho $6.00 3-8 1982 877-543-3248
Tolo Roller Ball ap ty $5.00 3 mos-2 1993 800-421-4153
Electronic Slinky el $19.90 5-9 1943 800-622-8339
Shaker Maker ac cp $14.99 4-12 1973 800-622-8339
Read A Mat Eat
and Learn
es $4.99 24 mos-12 1983 800-732-3628
Wooden Marbles
and Blocks
co $40.00 4-10 1928 250-995-0055
First Keys ty $1.99 3 mos-4 1993 800-533-6708
Floaty Ducky pt ty $1.99 6 mos-5 1972 800-533-6708
Today's Kids All Star Basketball ap $24.99 2-8 1985 800-258-8697  
Kids Can Draw
Series Book
ac bo cp es ho $3.95 4-7 1992 800-426-0099
Flinch cg $10.95 7-12 1903 800-578-2468

Key to Type:

ac=Arts & Crafts ap=Active Product at=Audio Tape bg=Board Game
bo=Book cd=CD-ROM co=Construction Toy cp=Creative Product
cr=Computer-related dh=Dollhouse do=Doll el=Electronic
es=Educational Skills Product fp=Fantasy Play ho=Hobby ml=Musical
mm=Multimedia no=Novelty op=Outdoor Play pl=Plush Toy
pu=Puppet pz=Puzzle sr=Social Responsibility sw=Software
tr=Travel ts=Transportation ty=Toy vt=Video Tape

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