There’s something about opening that very first gift that brings out the kid in all of us. That’s why we’ve rounded up the most popular toys each year since 1950 (and boy, have things changed). So grab a hot chocolate and get ready for a trip down memory lane.
The 1950s
We’re kicking things off with the era that produced some of the most enduring toys. From Wiffle ball to the Hula-Hoop, these gifts are just as beloved today as they were six decades ago (we see you, Barbie).
1950: Magic 8 Ball
1951: View-Master
1952: Mr. Potato Head
1953: Matchbox cars
1954: Wiffle ball
1955: Frisbee
1956: Yahtzee
1957: Play-Doh
1958: Hula-Hoop
1959: Barbie
The 1960s
By 1960, the toy industry had grown exponentially. The result? Kiddos had plenty to choose from when making their Christmas lists, including a talking doll and a certain game you probably still play at parties.
1960: Chatty Cathy dolls
1961: Etch A Sketch
1962: Trolls dolls
1963: Easy-Bake Oven
1964: G.I. Joe
1965: Operation
1966: Twister
1967: Battleship
1968: Hot Wheels
1969: Chemistry sets
The 1970s
Like the decade itself, gifts in the 70s were very cool (walkie-talkie sets) and a little weird (the Pet Rock). This was also the era of Star Wars, which explains the introduction of more tech-centric toys and games.
1970: NERF balls
1971: Space hoppers
1972: UNO
1973: Walkie-talkie sets
1974: Tonka trucks
1975: Pet Rock
1976: Connect Four
1977: Star Wars figurines
1978: Hungry Hungry Hippos
1979: Atari
The 1980s
This decade has always held a certain nostalgia (whether you lived through it or not), and these toys prove why. From an iconic stuffed doll to the very first handheld Nintendo, the 80s were a great time to be a kid.
1980: Rubik’s Cube
1981: LEGO Trains sets
1982: Lite-Brite
1983: Cabbage Patch Kids
1984: Transformers
1985: Care Bears
1986: Teddy Ruxpin
1987: Koosh balls
1988: Ghostbusters toys
1989: Nintendo Game Boy
The 1990s
Nineties style may be back again. But the toys? Not so much, since many were tied to reigning TV franchises like Sesame Street, Power Rangers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (Talk about a #TBT.)
1990: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys
1991: Sega Game Gear
1992: Barbie Dream House
1993: Talkboy
1994: Power Rangers toys
1995: Beanie Babies
1996: Tickle Me Elmo
1997: Tamagotchi
1998: Furby
1999: Nintendo Pokémon games
The 2000s
Twenty-first-century kids were all about technology, meaning things like gaming consoles were flying off the shelves. If you managed to purchase an Xbox 360 during Christmas of 2005, you deserve a medal.
2000: Razor scooters
2001: Bratz dolls
2002: Beyblades
2003: Robosapien
2004: Nintendo DS
2005: Xbox 360
2006: Nintendo Wii
2007: iPod Touch
2008: High School Musical Dance Mat
2009: ZhuZhu Pets
The 2010s
We’re a little more than halfway through the decade, and tech gadgets are still going strong. There’s also been a resurgence of more traditional dolls and stuffed animals (and a certain ice queen, of course). What will the 2016 holiday bring? Only time will tell.
2010: iPad
2011: Kindle Fire
2012: Nintendo Wii U
2013: Frozen dolls
2014: FurReal Friends
2015: Shopkins
By Sophie Dodd, Staff Writer
