Classic Toys | Jack in the Box

 Classic musical Jack-in-the-box

The Jack-in-the-box is centuries old.  Most of the brightly coloured boxes feature either a clown or a joker that pops out when the handle on the outside of the box is turned to a certain position, as the music plays. The most popular tune to be played is ‘pop goes the weasel’.

In 2005 the Jack-in-the-box was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame due to its timeless charm that has captivated the interest of children for decades.

Our Classic tin musical Jack in the Box features a clown and has bright playful pictures on all sides. Build the suspense as you wind the crank, not knowing when Jack will pop out!

Fun fact: In France a Jack-in-the-box is called a ‘Diable En Boite’ which means Devil in a box!

Classic Toys | Step Back in Time | Toys From The 1950s

Rock ‘n’ Roll emerged in the 1950s with the arrival of Elvis Presley on the music scene in 1956. Elvis is still celebrated today as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll with an enormous amount of impersonators around the globe still paying tribute to ‘The King’.

Fun Fact: Parkes in NSW has been hosting an Elvis Festival since 1993, including a special "Elvis Express" train from Sydney to Parkes.

In 1959 a charted plane with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson went down and all of them, including the pilot perished. This tragedy was later known as ‘the day the music died’ and was forever memorialised in Don McLean’s hit ‘American Pie’ in 1972.

Fun Fact: Freddy Martin and Sammy Kayne’s hit single ‘I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts’ was number 1 on the charts in Australia for 3 weeks in April 1950.

The 1950s were also known as the golden age of television, with 4.4 million American families owning a television set in their homes. Americans spent most of their free time watching television and it became a huge influence on what to wear and buy. This American influence spread to the UK, Europe and Australia.

Fashion changed greatly during the early 1950s with young men and women being released from the disciplines of the Armed Forces. They opted for a more relaxed up-beat style with Hawaiian shirts, striped t-shirts and bright cotton frocks leading the way.

Fun Fact: In 1951 Melbourne women started to wear short dresses with full skirts over stiff petticoats and the trend took on Australia wide.

1950 was a big year for comic books when Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts crew were introduced to the world by creator Charles M Shultz in the classic comic strips. This was closely followed in 1951 by comic classic Dennis the Menace in The Beano comic.

Fun Fact: Dennis ran in more than 1000 newspapers and in nearly 50 countries around the world and still continues to this day with his trusty sidekick Gnasher.

We saw a new Queen in 1953 with the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, hundreds of millions tuned in on their TVs to watch Queen Elizabeth II taking over the throne. We also saw a new on-screen princess in Walt Disney’s movie Cinderella in 1950, which was marketed as ‘A love story with music’.

Fun Fact: TV dinners where introduced to America in 1953 and featured a Thanksgiving style dinner with Turkey and Potatoes!

Dr Seuss released his iconic book Cat in the Hat in 1957 and it quickly became a family favourite, later being made into a movie of the same name in 2003. How The Grinch Stole Christmas was released in 1957 and has now just premiered as The Grinch just in time for Christmas this year (we loved it here at The Vintage Toy Box!!).

Another book which has also been translated to the big screen is Horton Hears a Who! which was written in 1955 and released in 2008 as a movie. Dr Seuss had written 60 books in his career.

“You’re never too old, wacky or wild to pick up a book and read to a child” – Dr Seuss

In the mid 1950s Play-Doh first hit the shelves. Originally made in off-white, but later re-introduced in a three-pack of red, blue and yellow. Advertisements were regularly shown during children’s television shows which furthered product sales, leading to a high spike in children’s toy advertisements on TV.

Fun Fact: During the 1930s Play-Doh was actually used as wallpaper cleaner and it wasn’t until the 1950s that it was reworked and re-marketed as a children’s toy!

Disneyland first opened its doors in 1955 with the grand opening of the Disneyland Resort in California. It took one year to construct and since then has undergone continued construction time and time again to add and extend. New additions included New Orleans Square featuring the Pirates of the Caribbean, Bear Country (now known as Critter Country), Splash Mountain and the homes of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet and Mickey’s Toontown, a small sized recreation of the Mickey Mouse Universe where visitors can meet all the characters and visit their homes.

Fun Fact: Mickey’s Toontown was actually inspired by ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and resembles a set from the Max Fleischer cartoon.

During 1958 the Hula Hoop twirled into the shops, invented by Arthur K ‘Spud’ Melin and Richard Kneer. The men first marketed the Hula Hoop as an exercise hoop. 20 million hoops were sold in less than 4 months and reached a whopping 100 million sales in 2 years. Due to the ever growing love for the Hula Hoop it was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 1999. Hula Hooping is still extremely popular with entertainers using Hula Hoops with fire and light effects to wow the crowd.

Fun Fact: The most Hula Hoops twirled at once was an impressive 160 which was set by Marawa the Amazing!

In 1957 the modern day Frisbee flew onto the scene, being the first registered trademark of the Wham-O Toy Company. By 1994 one hundred million Frisbees had been sold, and there is now even an association dedicated to Frisbee enthusiasts called the International Frisbee Association founded in 1967. Here at The Vintage Toy Box we stock an awesome Frisbee with a vintage style seaside design. Perfect for family picnics over the summer months.

Classic Toys | Kaleidoscope

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Amaze the eyes with brilliant colours and patterns with the classic Schylling design. These beautifully illustrated tin kaleidoscopes continue to dazzle all who lay their eyes on them, and little hands always make a beeline for them in store.

The kaleidoscope is thought to have been invented in 1816 by Scottish inventor Sir David Brewster, with its name originating from the Greek words meaning ‘beautiful form watcher’.

Did you know that Sir David Brewster went on to advance lighthouse lens and stereoscope designs.

The visual stimulus provided by the kaleidoscope therapeutically promotes positive joyful emotions and promotes good mental health through colour therapy. We always new that traditional toys were good for you!

Classic Toys | Spinning Top

The simplest toys are always the best!  We can’t help but love our traditional tin spinning tops from Schylling, and we’re not the only ones!

These wonderful humming tin spinning tops are the perfect size for little hands.  Each one features beautifully illustrated carousel graphics and entrances on each spin.

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Did you know that the earliest clay spinning top was discovered in 3500 BC - that’s almost six thousand years ago!

A wooden spinning top which was carved circa 1300 BC and was later discovered in King Tut’s tomb was another early example of this simple toy, although Indigenous peoples from around the world have been making spinning tops from fruits, nuts and seeds for thousands of years before this one was created.

Did you know that spinning tops stay upright from an angular momentum; a law that Newton expressed as ‘objects in motion, stay in motion’.

Our Favourite Classic Children's Toys

We love all of our toys; they’re all magical and all bring us so much joy. We’re often asked though to pick our top three faves. After much thought, we realized that our ‘go to’ items are also three of our biggest and best sellers. These are a few of our favourite things …

The Spinning Top

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The simplest toys are always the best! We can’t help but love our traditional tin spinning tops from Schylling. These wonderful humming tin spinning tops are the perfect size for little hands. Each one features beautifully illustrated carousel graphics and entrances on each spin.

Did you know that the earliest clay spinning top was discovered in 3500 BC - that’s almost six thousand years ago!

A wooden spinning top which was carved circa 1300 BC and was later discovered in King Tut’s tomb was another early example of this simple toy, although Indigenous peoples from around the world have been making spinning tops from fruits, nuts and seeds for thousands of years before this one was created.

Did you know that spinning tops stay upright from an angular momentum; a law that Newton expressed as ‘objects in motion, stay in motion’.

The Jacob’s Ladder

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Our Jacob’s Ladder is a traditional wood and lace click-clack toy and is a timeless classic, and a perfect edition to any toy collection. The Jacob’s Ladder is the original fidget spinner, perfect for busy hands.

The true origin of this classic toy, which produces visual and kinetic illusion is a mystery, however many believe that the toy finds its origins in China. We do know however that it received its earliest toy review in a 1889 American scientific article, describing the magic behind the mechanics.

In the 1700’s a Japanese polymath constructed one which was called Gennai’s Wondrous Click-clack; a name that is still around today. Another popular variation of this classic toy was an American 1940’s version, which had an indentation for a penny to disappear & re-appear.

Wherever it came from, the Jacob’s ladder is here to stay!

The Kaleidoscope

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Amaze the eyes with brilliant colours and patterns with the classic Schylling design. These beautifully illustrated tin kaleidoscopes continue to dazzle all who lay their eyes on them, and little hands always make a beeline for them in store.

The kaleidoscope is thought to have been invented in 1816 by Scottish inventor Sir David Brewster, with its name originating from the Greek words meaning ‘beautiful form watcher’.

Did you know that Sir David Brewster went on to advance lighthouse lens and stereoscope designs.

The visual stimulus provided by the kaleidoscope therapeutically promotes positive joyful emotions and promotes good mental health through colour therapy. We always new that traditional toys were good for you!

Classic Toys | Return of the Retro Robot

Kids in the 1950s and 60s didn’t have computers or smartphones and tablets. The only way they could get in touch with electronic tech is by watching TV shows, talking about space travel or by playing with the coolest new release toys. One of the most desired toys of this era was the toy robot.  

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Of course, we are not talking about our modern day sci-fi robots, complete with artificial intelligence, but simple, tin-litho robots with simple wind-up mechanisms.  The first tin toy robot to be made is believed to be the yellow, box-like Robot Lilliput from Japan. Lilliput was always thought to date from the 1930’s, but it is now believed that he was actually made after the war, around the mid-1940’s.

The next robot to make an appearance, was the late 1940's Atomic Robot Man, also born in Japan. This robot was given out as a promotional item at the New York Sci-fi convention in 1950. The box for Atomic Robot Man showed a scene of the robot marching through a decimated city, complete with an atomic mushroom cloud.

Battery operated robots became the next big craze, with the release of the movies Forbidden Planet, introducing Robert the Robot in 1956, The Day the Earth Stood Still in 1952, and finally by the launch of Sputnik in 1957.  Robert the Robot ended up becoming the most re-produced robot ever, now coming in multiple variations including Planet Robot, Robby The Robot or the simpler named Mechanized Robot.

It turns out that these retro toy robots are still one of the most highly desired toys by kids. In the last few years, we have witnessed the increased interest in almost everything retro from clockwork wind-up robots to retro toy cars. Everyone just loves vintage and retro everything! 

With a retro robot, children experience many play related benefits. For instance, they are more physically active, using their imagination to set up whole planets for robot destruction and decimation. Kids can now go a step further, by reenacting their own robot show, for example with Clockwork Soldier’s Robot Puppets. With this amazing craft pack, children can create their own robots; stimulating their creativity too.

When we say retro robots, we just don't mean the robots themselves, we mean every toy that is inspired by this science fiction theme. For instance, the Robot Jigsaw Puzzle is a robot-themed puzzle. This is one of those classic toys that are here to support children’s cognitive development. By finding different pieces of the puzzle, children can create a beautiful image that depicts one of the most well-known robot toys. The toy contains just 24 pieces which means that even small children can finish it in a relatively short period of time.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that the puzzle is not challenging. On the contrary, there are some parts where placing the right pieces can be very tricky indeed!

Space Robots is a retro toy that contains three tin robots, which as the name suggests come from a different planet. Or maybe they were sent to space? In any case, this is one of those toys that promises many hours of fun and entertainment. The robots spin and roll,  changing directions whenever they hit an obstacle.

If you are interested in a classic robot toy, you can’t go wrong with High Wheel Robot. This old-school toy features windup walking and it was inspired by the popular toy from the 1960s of the same name.

Origami is a popular paper folding technique that originates from Japan. If you want to introduce this technique to your children early, you should consider our Spacecraft Robot Origami. This set comes with five nicely illustrated cards and an instruction booklet. With the help of these cards, your kid (with or without your help) can create a unique spacecraft and imagine how space exploration would look like.

Finally, if you want to revive the times that most people have forgotten, then you can check out our Robot Hands Temporary Tattoos, which turn the hands of your children into fun robots. This set comes with 8 unique robot tattoos that are easy to put on and remove and will guarantee hours of imaginative fun and storytelling!

Retro robots are guaranteed to be loved by generations to come, in whichever form they take - a timeless classic and fun for everyone!

The Ever-Lasting Appeal of Retro Toys

We are living in a world where electronics and technology are present everywhere around us. Our kids are used to playing electronic games, watching TV and using the Internet, iPads and iPhones. Despite this however, kids and parents alike still love retro toys.

Parents love these toys because they invigorate some of their best childhood memories, and take them on a warm, fuzzy trip down memory lane.  Children love them because of their simplistic design and delightful appeal.  If you are still not sure what makes retro toys attractive, keep reading because we will list a few good reasons why your kids should have at least one retro toy in their toy box.

Retro toys come with an ageless charm that has captivated children for generations. They hold a timeless appeal that guarantees that the toys will be loved not only by your kids but also by your grandchildren too and in some cases, their grandkids after that. 

Retro toys are more durable compared to most modern toys. They are usually made from high-quality wood or tin, unlike modern toys that are made of cheap plastic that ends up being thrown away after a few uses. When kids are using these hardy toys, you can be rest assured that they will last for a long time no matter how heavy their use is. In fact, they are designed with durability in mind.  Many modern toy makers, such as Artiwood, Djeco and Londji now also make their toys, games and puzzles with this durability in mind, producing beautiful toys, built to last, and designed to be handed down to the next generation.

In the past, toy manufacturers have paid special attention to the packaging, knowing that the outer appearance of toys is incredibly important to buyers and to children.  Packaging lures children and buyers in, and catches the eye.  Nothing beats a colourful, retro present in a bright, big box. Imagine watching a child’s face light up when they receive a gift with such beautiful packaging.  The colorful packaging will bring a huge smile to little faces everywhere.

As mentioned previously, today’s children often spend countless hours playing video games or watching TV.  Retro toys support the mastering of certain old-fashioned skills that cannot be learned by watching a screen. For example, there are toys that can help kids to learn to build, learn to sew, learn to cook.  Etch-a-sketch toys are good for developing drawing skills. There are gardening toys, toys for creating shelters, toys for using the imagination, putting on a show, and most importantly, toys for developing people skills.

The creative play that retro toys encourage stimulates the imagination, way beyond screen time. By playing with retro toys children can unleash their creativity, something that modern toys don’t allow for in the same way. Creative skills are incredibly important. Buying a few retro toys to add to their toy collection is one of the simplest and most convenient ways to do encourage creativity and imaginative play.