We're Not Toying With You! These Really Are the Most Popular Toys From the '50s

Many of these popular toys of the 1950s are still enjoyed by today's kids.

Toys. Even the word makes you smile. Toys give you permission to play. And for many adults, there are iconic toys that bring back loads of good memories. Many of the classic toys that follow may be vintage, but they’ve never grown old. What made the most popular toys from the 1950s so beloved are attributes that kids still look for today—originality, ingenuity, durability and staying power.

The 1950s were considered the golden age of toys. Here are a few 1950s toys that are still popular today.

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The 10 Most Popular Toys from the 1950s

1. Colorforms

Created by two art students in the 1950s, Colorforms are reusable stickers made from thin, die-cut vinyl. Users attach the Colorforms to smooth surfaces to create desired scenes. Colorforms were originally marketed to art students, but they took off as a children’s toy, instead. Though not as popular as they were in their heyday, Colorforms are still well-loved for their ability to promote creative expression and manual dexterity.

Colorforms — Disney Minnie Mouse Box Set — Pieces Stick Like Magic! — Fun Storytelling Play — Ages 3+

2. Corn Popper

Introduced by Fisher-Price in 1957, the colorful, noisy Corn Popper was designed to entice toddlers to practice walking. As the child walks and pushes the toy, flying balls within the Corn Popper create an exciting popping sound that keeps things moving. Though some parents find the racket to be annoying, the fact that the Corn Popper delights children while helping them strengthen gross motor skills has made this rambunctious toy a favorite for more than six decades.

​Fisher-Price Corn Popper Baby Toy, Toddler Push Toy with Ball-Popping Action for 1 Year Old and Up, 2-Piece Assembly, Blue​

3. Gumby

This beloved green clay character was originally created for the 1953 short film Gumbasia, by Art Clokey. Television executives liked the character so much, they gave Clokey his own program, The Gumby Show. In 1955, Gumby toys hit the retail market featuring this bendable, well-loved figure. Today, Gumby is still widely adored for his friendly disposition and fun flexibility.

Multipet Gumby Plush Filled Dog Toy, Green, 9 inch (Pack of 1)

4. Hula Hoop

Hooping has been around for centuries as a form of exercise for many cultures. In 1958, the founders of Wham-O toys, Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin, decided to market the concept in the form of colorful plastic tubing known as the Hula Hoop. The original hoop was 40 inches, but a smaller version for young children was also created. What ensued was a Hula Hoop craze that lasted throughout the 1950s and '60s. Today, the Hula Hoop is still a beloved classic that in more recent years led to hoop fitness classes using weighted hula hoops.

Vinsot Toy Hoop Detachable Plastic Hoops Exercise Equipment Toy Adjustable Rings for Sports Playing Party Game Dance Pet Training (8)

Related: Everything You Need to Know About the Benefits of Hula Hoop Workouts

5. Magic 8 Ball

Originally created as a crystal ball known as the “Syco-Seer” in the 1940s by Albert Carter, the Magic 8 Ball didn’t become well-known during the creator’s lifetime. In 1950, a Chicago billiards company commissioned the creator’s brother-in-law Abe Bookman to turn the Syco-Seer into an 8 ball as a promotional tool. Before long, kids began using the ball, which contains a floating 20-sided die containing answers to life questions. As a result, the Magic 8 Ball was re-marketed as a toy. Today, kids (and adults) still enjoy asking the Magic 8 Ball questions and getting quick answers. All signs point to this toy maintaining its popularity!

Mattel Games Magic 8 Ball Toys and Games, Retro Theme Fortune Teller, Ask a Question and Turn Over For Answer [Amazon Exclusive]

Related: Meet Some of the Newest Members of the National Toy Hall of Fame

6. Mr. Potato Head

The original Mr. Potato Head made his debut as a cereal box promotion designed to get kids to eat their vegetables. Inventor George Lerner created 28 facial features that could be inserted into real potatoes (including a pipe that was discontinued in 1987). The Hassenfeld Brothers of the future Hasbro Inc. bought the idea and initially marketed facial and body parts with a Styrofoam head. They later turned Mr. Potato Head into the plastic version we still love today for its silly quirkiness. Recently, Hasbro dropped the "Mr." to create a more gender-neutral toy. Vintage plastic Mr. Potato Heads can be worth from $200 to $695 dollars.

Potato Head Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase Parts and Pieces Toddler Toy for Kids (Amazon Exclusive)

7. Play-Doh

Would you believe that one of the most popular toys of all time was originally created as wallpaper cleaner? When sales of the cleaner began faltering, a teacher suggested having her students use the product as clay. The dough was a hit, and the company, Kutol Products, created a subsidiary, Rainbow Crafts, which repackaged the product as Play-Doh. By 1957, Play-Doh was available in red, yellow and blue and was a big hit at schools. Soon after, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) began featuring Play-Doh on his television show. That skyrocketed the popularity of this nontoxic, easy-to-use product that's still enjoyed by kids everywhere.

Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors, Non-Toxic, Assorted, 2 oz. Cans, Ages 2 and Up, Multicolor (Amazon Exclusive)

8. Silly Putty

Silly Putty was originally formulated during World War II by chemists attempting to create a rubber substitute. The pliable, stretchy product ended up not being a solution to the nation’s rubber supply. Instead, it was nicknamed “Nutty Putty.” Entrepreneur Peter Hodgson then sold it packaged inside of colorful eggs during Easter. An article in the New Yorker pushed the putty to stardom. Today, kids of all ages still enjoy pressing the rubbery putty onto newsprint to create images and then stretching it into all kinds of silly shapes, as well as bouncing it like a ball.

Crayola Silly Putty Bulk Variety Pack, Sensory Putty, Fidget Toys for Kids, Gifts, 24 Eggs [Amazon Exclusive]

9. Paint-by-Numbers Kit

Calling on the inner artist of kids everywhere, Paint-by-Numbers kits allow anyone to paint a masterpiece by simply following the numbers. The idea was conceived by commercial artist Dan Robbins, who worked for Palmer Paint Company and was tasked with selling more paint. The art sets were a hard sell at first until Macy’s began stocking kits in 1952. A few months later, an amateur painter won third place in an art contest using one, and as they say, the rest is history. The kits remain popular to this day.

Paint By Numbers for Adults - DIY Adult Paint by Number Kits Pack On Canvas Sunset Beach Painting by Numbers for Beginners,Acrylic Paint Boat On Mountains Lake Crafts for Home Decor (11.8x15.8inch)

10. Tonka Truck

Inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2001, Tonka Trucks appeal to the kid in everyone. The lifelike miniature vehicles have been a favorite amongst kids since the first Tonka product released—a pickup truck in 1955. Created by a Minnesota company that originally made small garden-implements, Tonka Trucks were named for the Minnesota Lake Minnetonka. Over the decades, the trucks have continued to sell. The company is now owned by Hasbro. Vintage Tonka Trucks in good condition can be worth $50-$250.

Tonka Steel Bulldozer Vehicle, Yellow

Next, the 15 Best Fidget Toys for Kids and Adults