![]() |
DR. TOY'S CLASSIC TOYS Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy) |
|
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 |
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 |