Toys Archives : Page 7 of 9 : The Retro Network

Lawn Darts: The Most Dangerous Toy of All Time

Starting in the 1970s, people began to cast a suspicious eye on the safety standards used in making toys. Parents and lawmakers began voicing their concerns and this led to new legal standards for what

Beach Dolls

pikapal91746

The concept of a beach/pool doll These are good budget dolls. What do most people wear to the beach? Not much. These are a good way to market dolls. They throw in a few beach

Tamagotchi: The Tiny Pet That Took Over the 90s

The Retro Network

Few phrases strike more fear in the hearts of parents than, “Can I have a puppy/kitty/bunny/parakeet/lizard?” (for the record, those are separate pet options, not one horrible, genetically-engineered super pet). And with good reason. Mom

Toy of the Week: Yappy (Yorkshire Terrier) by Ty

Karen Flieger

It’s a popular thing these days for pet owners to celebrate their “Gotcha Day”, the day they obtained their beloved pet by posting pictures of their pet online. Our Yorkies were not our first pets.

Toy of the Week: LOL Surprise B.B. Moonlight

Karen Flieger

This week, I’m taking a little bit of a different angle and going with a doll from a current toy line that reminded me of some things from when I was a young child combined

Toy of the Week: My Favorite Fairytale Collection Alice from Alice in Wonderland

Karen Flieger

Why did I choose this toy? Last Saturday was International Tea Day. Whenever I think of tea, I think of tea parties. When I think of tea parties, I think of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting fact

Toy of the Week: New Kids on the Block Hanging Loose Jordan Knight Doll

Karen Flieger

Why did I choose this toy? I chose this doll in honor of Jordan Knight’s birthday earlier this week. Also, New Kids on the Block just started their latest “Mixtape Tour” with special guests En

Transformers Collaborative Wish List

Brian Cave

With Hasbro finally giving us a full-fledged GI Joe/Transformers crossover with their Megatron/HISS Tank and Baroness set, it feels like a great time to be a fan of both toylines. We’ve got some toys that

Toy of the Week: Han Solo (Star Wars Collector Series)

Karen Flieger

Next week, pop culture will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of Star Wars. The franchise marked a major turning point in pop culture on multiple fronts from cinema to toy marketing. My mom used to

Toy of the Week: Rainbow Brite

Karen Flieger

As I’ve mentioned in a few of my previous articles, many popular toy franchises of the 1980’s originated as greeting card characters. Rainbow Brite is no exception. However, instead of being a member of the

Toy of the Week: Le Clic Camera

Karen Flieger

I can hear the hobby and professional photographers gasping for breath. No worries. I know a camera isn’t technically a toy. LeClic cameras were so much more than a camera and because I used mine

Toy of the Week: Lamb Chop

Karen Flieger

When I picked Hubert the Harris Bank Lion earlier this month, I knew I wanted to end the month with a lamb or sheep related toy. My mom told me that I used to have

Toy of the Week: Catra (Princess of Power)

Karen Flieger

So far, I’ve profiled two toys I still have (Rose Petal and Medley) and one I had when I was little, but gave away as a teenager (Hubert the Harris Bank Lion). This week, I

Yahtzee: From Yacht Parties to Living Rooms Everywhere

The Retro Network

A bejillion years from now, when archaeologists are digging up the suburban dens of our buried civilization, amid all the broken down ColecoVisions and My Buddy dolls, a Yahtzee box will be reverently dusted off and carted away.

Toy of the Week: Medley of My Little Pony

Karen Flieger

For St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to feature a green toy and this sweet filly fit the bill. The My Little Pony Wikipedia page describes Medley’s coloring as turquoise, but I thought of her more

Mouse Trap: Building the Game Was Half the Fun

The Retro Network

It may be time to revise the old maxim, “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” The mousetrap in the board game of the same name may have

Toy of the Week: Hubert the Harris Bank Lion

Karen Flieger

When was this toy produced? Hubert the Harris Bank Lion was offered as a premium through Harris Bank in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Was there a Cartoon? Sort of. Hubert was an advertising icon, so