Classic Toys
Classic toys have enduring appeal and continue to be cherished by children and adults alike for their simplicity, durability, and ability to inspire imaginative play. We love being in store over-hearing older generations reminiscing about their own classic toys; reflecting on the simpler times of yesteryears.
Here at The Vintage Toy Box we live and dream classic toys - timeless playthings that have remained popular and beloved across multiple generations.
Classic toys have enduring appeal and continue to be cherished by children and adults alike for their simplicity, durability, and ability to inspire imaginative play. We love being in store over-hearing older generations reminiscing about their own classic toys; reflecting on the simpler times of yesteryears.
These toys are often simple in design, made from traditional materials like wood, metal, or fabric, and do not rely on electronic components or batteries.
A set of 10 medieval‑charm shadow cards from Moulin Roty, elegantly cut into black silhouettes and mounted on sturdy wooden sticks. Each silhouette evokes characters, castles and creatures of old—perfect for composing small scenes projected on a wall or screen.
Designed for traditional play and bedtime storytelling, these cards spark the imagination and invite the creation of poetic, mysterious tales. Their careful craftsmanship and robust sticks make them easy for little hands to handle and durable for many evenings of stories.
Ideal for:
Bedtime rituals and shared stories
Shadow play to develop creativity and oral expression
Refined gifts for children and lovers of classic toys
A simple, elegant accessory that transforms the night into a theatre of wonders.
Size: Pack, L 21 cm x H 24 cm
Age: 6+
Brand: Moulin Roty
The Humming Top is a charming tin toy that springs to life with a few presses of its wooden handle. Push the handle down repeatedly and watch it spin and emit a gentle hum—guaranteed to enchant and entertain.
Please note: Tin toys are handmade or hand-assembled; small scratches or imperfections may be present, contributing to their unique character.
Ages: 2 +
Brand: Tin Treasures
These classic, playful Box of Slimy Creepy Crawlies from Rex London bring fun and laughter with their gooey, squishy texture. Their silly look and stretchy feel make them great for prank lovers and curious minds, adding humour and hands-on play to any toy collection. Whether for silly tricks or just to enjoy, these slimy creepy crawlies will make anyone laugh!
Ages: 4 +
Brand: Rex London
How long can you make the ball float gracefully in the air with the delightful classic Floating Ball Game.
This timeless and endlessly engaging game of science beautifully demonstrates Bernoulli's Principle, the intriguing Law of Pressure Differential, in a fun, interactive, and educational way that will bring joy to both children and adults alike.
Age: 4+
Turn the charming and intricately designed handle, and listen to the delightful music gracefully emanating from this beautifully crafted classic Tin Music Box by Schylling.
It's a wonderfully nostalgic piece that will transport you back to simpler times, filling the air with sweet and enchanting melodies that bring joy and warmth to any space you place it in.
Perfect for enthusiasts of all ages, it’s truly a timeless treasure to cherish and enjoy for years to come.
Age: 3 +
Measurements: 3 in x 3 in x 6.25 in
Brand: Schylling
This delightful traditional wood and lace click-clack Jacob’s Ladder toy from House of Marbles is a truly timeless Victorian classic that has enchanted generations.
It makes a perfect addition to any toy collection, bringing not only joy but also a delightful touch of nostalgia for both children and adults alike.
Age: 5+
Brand: House of Marbles
Lord Phartwell’s Whoopee Cushion windy bags of fun are an all-time favourite novelty that never fails to bring laughter and joy!
These classic rubber cushions come beautifully packaged in delightful, comedy vintage-inspired designs, making them not only a source of amusement but also a charming gift.
Perfect for pranks and surprises, they are sure to elicit giggles and guffaws from friends and family of all ages!
Age: 6+
Brand: House of Marbles
Dimensions: 11.2 × 0.3 × 17.3 cm
This delightful wooden paddle ball from House of Marbles is truly an all-time favourite classic toy that has wonderfully stood the test of time in the hearts of many playful enthusiasts.
Deceptive in its charming yet delightful simplicity, it provides endless hours of engaging fun and light-hearted entertainment for both children and adults alike, making it a perfect addition to any cherished playtime collection!
Age: 4+
Measures: 14.3 cm x 5 cm x 28.5 cm
Brand: House of Marbles
Amaze the eyes with brilliant, vibrant colours and enchanting patterns with this delightful classic Tin Kaleidoscope from Schylling.
These charming classic tin kaleidoscopes are sure to dazzle and captivate all who lay their eyes upon them, providing endless moments of wonder, joy, and pure nostalgia!
Experience the magic of swirling designs, where each turn reveals a dazzling new spectacle that brings smiles to both young and old alike!
Age: 3 +
Measures: 18 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm
Brand: Schylling
These classic old school playground practical joke, jelly-like, playful Slimy Sticky Slugs add a thrilling new dimension to fun and laughter with their delightfully slimy, squishy, sticky texture.
With their grotesque appearance and wonderfully stretchable texture, these whimsical slugs are ideal for prank enthusiasts and those with an inquiring mind, adding a healthy dose of unusual humour and tactile play to any collection of beloved playful toys.
Whether they're being used for harmless pranks or simply enjoyed for their unique feel, these slugs are sure to spark joy and laughter in anyone who encounters them.
Perfect stocking fillers!
Ages: 4 +
Brand: House of Marbles
This delightful wooden paddle ball from Schylling is truly an all-time favourite classic toy that has wonderfully stood the test of time in the hearts of many playful enthusiasts.
Deceptive in its charming yet delightful simplicity, it provides endless hours of engaging fun and light-hearted entertainment for both children and adults alike, making it a perfect addition to any cherished playtime collection!
Age: 4+
Measures: 13 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm
Brand: Schylling
Lord Phartwell’s Hand Shadow Cards from the delightful House of Marbles contain a charming collection of 12 beautifully illustrated instructional cards.
These cards are inspired by the 1859 best-selling book by Henry Bursill, which brilliantly showcases the simple art of creating entertaining and highly amusing hand shadows upon a wall or backdrop.
Each card provides step-by-step guidance, making it easy for both children and adults to join in the fun and delight in this classic form of entertainment!
Age: 6+
Brand: House of Marbles
Make a delightful melody with The Original Tin Kazoo from Schylling!
If you can hum, you can easily kazoo your way into a joyous tune!
This charming instrument is fun for the whole family, providing hours of laughter and music-making together.
Please note that the vibrant colour of the kazoo may vary, adding an extra element of surprise and excitement to your musical adventure!
Age: 4 +
Brand: Schylling
This beautifully crafted wooden cup and ball toy is an all-time favourite classic from the renowned House of Marbles.
Deceptive in its simplicity, it provides endless hours of fun and entertainment for children and adults alike!
Whether you're mastering the art of catching the ball or just enjoying the nostalgic charm, this delightful toy promises to bring smiles and laughter to everyone involved.
Age: 3+
Measures: 13 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm
Brand: House of Marbles
The House of Marbles classic wooden yo-yo is as traditional as they come, embodying the delightful essence of timeless play that has enchanted generations.
Made from brightly painted wood that beautifully catches the eye, this charming toy is expertly crafted and well balanced, making it perfect for performing a multitude of impressive tricks.
With its classic, simple design, this delightful yo-yo is sure to bring endless joy and excitement to both kids and adults alike, encouraging everyone to embrace the fun of playtime.
Age: 5 +
Brand: House of Marbles
These delightful Fortune Telling Magic Miracle Fish are a wonderfully nostalgic and timeless classic novelty item from the renowned House of Marbles.
When placed gently in the palm of your hand, this charming little fish curls up in captivating ways to make its intriguing and spooky predictions.
Ideal for gatherings, the set comes conveniently packaged in a pack of 5, making them perfect for sharing among family, friends, party bags and Christmas stockings.
A cherished family favourite that never fails to bring joy and laughter to any occasion!
Age: 5+
Measures: 6 cm in length
Brand: House of Marbles
This delightful classic Harmonica from Schylling is a high-quality beginner’s instrument, and in the key of ‘C,’ it produces a fantastic sound that is perfect for any style of music you might wish to play.
Pocket-sized for ultimate convenience and featuring no snag edges, this 10-hole metal harmonica is ideal for musicians of all ages, ensuring that the joyous campfire songs will keep on going and creating wonderful, lasting memories for everyone involved in the music-making experience.
Whether you are a seasoned player or picking it up for the first time, this harmonica is sure to bring smiles and laughter to all!
Age: 5 +
Brand: Schylling
These classic old school playground practical jokes, jelly-like, Box of Frogs add an exciting new dimension to fun with their delightfully slippery and bouncy texture.
They’re an absolute hit for both children and adults, making them perfect for sensory exploration and light-hearted play.
These whimsical frogs promise to inject a wave of laughter and undeniable whimsy into any playtime, turning every moment into an exhilarating adventure filled with squishy delight. They truly make perfect stocking fillers for those looking to spread joy and nostalgia!
Ages: 4 +
Brand: House of Marbles
Learn to juggle with this charming retro Juggling Balls Set from the delightful House of Marbles.
This colourful set includes three (3) juggling balls, each showcasing the vibrant four primary colours.
Both kids and adults alike will absolutely love the bright hues and the challenge of mastering this fun skill!
Age: 3+
Brand: House of Marbles
Take to the seas with this classic wooden rubber band paddle boat from Schylling.
Features rubber band power to take on the waves. Just wind up the paddle, place it in water & watch it go!
Age: 4+
Brand: Schylling
Turn the handle and wait for the Jester to pop up with this classic and fun Jack in the Box from Schylling.
Age: 18m +
Measurements: 15 cm x 15 cm x 16 cm
Brand: Schylling
This all-time classic wooden Pop Gun from House of Marbles is simply brilliant fun for children and the young-at-heart.
A clever string and cork mechanism releases a gentle, yet satisfying pop when the plunger is pulled back by the mechanism, bringing delight with every use.
It's the perfect present for a pesky little tyke or for anyone who loves nostalgic play!
A great favourite among kids and collectors alike, this toy is truly a timeless treasure. Perfect for stocking fillers, it’s sure to spread joy and laughter during the festive season!
Note: Pop gun must be 'pumped' to prime it for its pop!
Age: 5+
Measures: 22 cm x 6 cm x 3 cm
Brand: House of Marbles
How long can you make the ball float gracefully in the air with the delightful classic Floating Ball Game from Schylling?
This timeless and endlessly engaging game of science beautifully demonstrates Bernoulli's Principle, the intriguing Law of Pressure Differential, in a fun, interactive, and educational way that will bring joy to both children and adults alike.
Age: 4+
Brand: Schylling
A beautifully crafted and classic pop-out-and-put-together Flying Bird glider from the wonderful House of Marbles awaits you.
Watch in delight as it glides with elegance through the air, showcasing its fabulous 1970s style plumage stickers that add an extra touch of charm and nostalgia.
This delightful toy is sure to capture the hearts of children and adults alike, bringing joy and a sense of wonder to playtime.
Age: 3+
Brand: House of Marbles
This delightful and vibrant wind-up Bouncing Tin Top from Schylling not only spins but also gracefully jumps around as it twirls, creating an enchanting display of motion.
It’s super fun and sure to bring smiles and joy to children and adults alike!
Age: 5+
Brand: Schylling
Two Miniature Fighter Racing Planes for fabulous flying fun straight from the wonderful House of Marbles.
These delightfully easy-to-assemble, sturdy planes come beautifully packaged in a charming retro-inspired sleeve, making them an ideal addition to any party bag or Christmas Stocking.
Watch them glide gracefully through the air and race each other for endless entertainment and excitement!
Age: 6+
Brand: House of Marbles
This beautifully crafted wooden Flip Stick is an all-time favorite classic toy that has captured the hearts of both children and adults alike.
Deceptive in its simplicity, it offers endless opportunities for creativity and play, providing hours of fun and laughter for everyone involved!
Age: 5+
Measures: 35.5 cm length
Brand: Schylling
Take to the seas with this classic wooden balloon powered boat from Schylling.
Age: 4+
Brand: Schylling
Make a melody with the original Slide Whistle from Schylling.
Fun for the whole family.
Age: 4 +
Brand: Schylling
Some favourite classic toys of ours include:
Wooden Blocks: Simple and versatile, wooden blocks allow children to build and create various structures, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Skipping Ropes: A traditional outdoor toy that promotes physical activity and coordination.
Jacks: A classic game where children toss and pick up small metal or plastic jacks with a ball.
Yo-Yos: A simple toy that requires skill and coordination to perform tricks and stunts.
Rag Dolls: Soft and cuddly dolls that provide comfort and companionship, often becoming firm friends.
Tops: Spinning tops made from wood or metal that fascinate children with their spinning motion.
Classic toys bring a sense of nostalgia and simplicity to playtime, encouraging children to use their imagination and engage in creative, open-ended play. Many classic toys have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents seeking to introduce their children to the joy of traditional play experiences.
Check out all of our classic toys, and let us know your favourites.
Our Toy Makers | Pukaca | Paper Toys and Craft Kits
This week we meet one of Our Makers, and introduce you to the fabulous paper toy makers Pukaca.
In a nutshell, tell us about your business
PUKACA is a company committed to the design and manufacture of unique paper toys and paper products that are made for children, designed by us thinking as children. We are based in Portugal and have a wonderful worldwide following, including The Vintage Toy Box in Australia.
Tell us a bit about you
We are two designers, Isabel Vaz & Nuno Dias and we founded PUKACA in 2005. We met at University and straight away we started working together after discovering that Isabel loves to draw small creatures and Nuno loves to make them come alive.
Some years later we decided to create our own brand - PUKACA - and we began to put our ideas into practice.
What inspired you to set up your business?
We’re always delighted by the traditional tales, the Brother’s Grimm Fairy Tales, the La Fontaine Fables, medieval stories, the natural world and all other worlds that belong in a child’s imagination.
What do you make?
The main products in our range are paper toys. We also make Alphabet & Numbers Posters and 3D Paper Postcards - all made with 100% recycled paper.
How do you make them?
We start the design of all of our paper toys by drawing out the ideas that we would like to see built.
After choosing the design we like the most, we start building it by hand – it’s an old school method that makes our paper toys so unique. We build countless prototypes - all by hand - until we reach the final toy.
Depending on the product, the illustration will be made by hand or in a computer and then applied to the final design already vectorized.
After that, the final product and packaging is printed, all in our own facilities, and we make the final assembly, always by hand.
Let’s just say that from the initial idea to the final product there are countless prototypes and hours of hard (fun!) work.
Describe your artistic style
Simple and straight lines, colorful and playful.
What do you love about your business?
In a world full of technology, our paper toys bring back the pleasure of constructing your own toys.
Our toys are meant to be built using the hands, increasing manual dexterity and spatial perception. We believe that constructing and playing with our toys allows families and generations to interact together, share experiences and create lasting memories.
It’s that need to see things take shape, to create, to learn and to play.
Our toys aim to enhance in the child, or in anyone who handles them, an active and creative intervention. We believe in the principle that difference enriches us. It’s important to have toys that raise creativity, provide new experiences, highlight the human individuality and allow interactivity with others.
Where would you like to see your products?
Over the last few years we’ve sent our products to the five continents on the planet. We like to say that we love to see our products wherever there’s children or people that want to play with them.
Favourite toy as a child and why?
Isabel loved her bicycle and to cycle around the neighborhood with her friends. She loved to go to a nearby farm and to climb trees.
Sara loved to construct her own toys with pieces from other ones.
Nuno loved building blocks that allowed him to create fantastic places to play, transforming rooms into play grounds.
To check out some of Pukaca’s fabulous range, and to learn more about them, drop into The Vintage Toy Box. We can guarantee their paper toys will make you smile!
Big Brother Mouse is ready to take a vacation and has the perfect place to stay while having fun at the beach. He has his very own beautiful light blue striped beach cabin to get changed in. He wears charming patterned blue shorts and completes the look with flippers for his feet.
Note: This mouse is missing his goggles for his eyes, and the corners of the cabin have slight creases in the cardboard (which does not affect the structural integrity of the item). The item is therefore sold as is, at a substantial discount and is not eligible for exchange or refund.
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
This vintage-style cooler fridge is the perfect finishing touch for any Maileg kitchen. Crafted from sturdy cardboard, it pairs beautifully with the room set and includes a salami and a wedge of cheese.
Maileg mice sold separately.
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
Maileg furniture is simply the perfect size for those adorable little Maileg mice, and this charming miniature metal bathtub is no exception.
It's crafted to fit the whimsical world of these tiny creatures, making bath time an enchanting experience for imaginative play.
Maileg mice sold separately.
Measures: 6cm x 6cm
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
Maileg Tricycle Mouse Big Sister Coral is a charming companion for everyday adventures and imaginative play.
She wears a coral-striped knit top and a softly patterned skirt, and comes with a matching backpack. Magnets in her hands let her hold onto her tricycle, while the removable backpack adds an interactive touch that encourages role‑play and storytelling.
Tricycle sold separately.
Age: 3 years +
Measures: 13 cm
Brand: Maileg
These striking gold vintage chairs are truly fit for any member of the Maileg mice royal family, adding a touch of opulent charm and timeless elegance to any room.
Height: 10cm
Maileg mice sold separately.
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
An ideal resting spot for your small Maileg friends, designed to sit perfectly inside the Mouse Farmhouse.
Dimensions: H 8 cm x W 6 cm.
Maileg mice sold separately.
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
This vintage-style closet features an elegant embossed floral motif on the door and charming printed wallpaper lining the interior. Equipped with shelves to inspire imaginative organizing play, it is designed to fit perfectly in the Maileg dollhouse.
Maileg mice sold separately.
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
Maileg Big Brother Mouse arrives in delightful and whimsical style, carefully tucked away in his own charmingly illustrated Matchbox bed, and is all set for a lovely little nap that he so richly deserves and truly needs after a long day of play.
He’s comfortably snuggled up under his soft and cozy miniature blanket, perfectly poised to dream of all the enchanting and exciting adventures that await him just around the corner, filled with laughter, joy, and the promise of new discoveries that will surely make his heart sing.
Age: 3 years +
Brand: Maileg
All of your Maileg friends will love starting off their play day with some toast. This metal toaster comes with two pieces of toy bread.
Maileg mice sold separately.
Age: 3 years +
Measures: H4.5cm x W4.5m x D3cm.
Brand: Maileg
Step into the magical world of theatre with Maileg’s Ballet Dancer Mouse Big Brother, Romeo.
Dressed in charming suspenders and soft cream trousers, this elegant little dancer is ready to perform his part in a Romeo & Juliet ballet.
Presented in a beautifully designed cylindrical box featuring the iconic opera house, he makes a lovely keepsake or imaginative gift. With his magnetic hands and included stand, he can pose and play for centre-stage storytelling.
Age: 3 years +
Measures: 13cm
Brand: Maileg
A set of 10 circus shadow cards from Moulin Roty, elegantly cut into black silhouettes and mounted on sturdy wooden sticks. Each silhouette evokes circus characters, perfect for composing small scenes projected on a wall or screen.
Designed for traditional play and bedtime storytelling, these cards spark the imagination and invite the creation of poetic, mysterious tales. Their careful craftsmanship and robust sticks make them easy for little hands to handle and durable for many evenings of stories.
Ideal for:
Bedtime rituals and shared stories
Shadow play to develop creativity and oral expression
Refined gifts for children and lovers of classic toys
A simple, elegant accessory that transforms the night into a theatre of wonders.
Size: Pack, L 21 cm x H 24 cm
Age: 6+
Brand: Moulin Roty