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10 toys every kid in the 1950s wanted for Christmas
The 1950s were a simpler time when Santa brought us Play-Doh and hula hoops.
Image: Etsy
Before Santa was stuffing the latest electronics into stockings on Christmas Eve, he was gifting kids with simple treasures.
The Fifties were a decade that saw some of the greatest and most enduring toys hit the market. Hula hoops, Barbies and Matchbox cars first found their way under the tree on Christmas mornings in the 1950s.
These were some of the most popular Christmas gifts back then. Do you remember waking up to any of these presents — in the '50s or any other decade?
1. Fisher-Price Little People
The decade started out with a bang, as Fisher-Price released one of the most popular toys of all time. Little People started out in 1950 with three little figures and a fire truck. By the end of the decade, the company produced the popular school bus and the entire Play Family.
Image: Play Stuff Blog
2. Colorforms
Colorforms clung onto popularity for multiple generations in the 20th century, but the creative toy started out in 1951. It wasn't until 1959 that the first character was licensed. That distinction belongs to Popeye.
Image: King Features Syndicate
3. Mr. Potato Head
Known by kids today as the character from Toy Story, Mr. Potato Head was all the rage for kids in the 1950s. Hitting the market in 1952, the interchangeable toy was the first to be advertised on television. Back then, you had to use a real potato.
Image: George Lerner
4. Matchbox cars
Before Hot Wheels raced onto the market in the 1960s, Matchbox was the go-to brand for toy cars. The popular miniscule automobiles originated in Great Britain in 1953, and quickly jumped across the pond to high demand around Christmastime.
Image: Matchbox Toys
5. Gumby
Product placement started to take off in the 1950s with a line of Gumby toys making Christmas extra special for many boys and girls. Gumby toys quickly hit the market in 1955 after the character appeared on Howdy Doody and The Gumby Show.
Image: Art Clokey
6. Play-Doh
Before Play-Doh was used a toy, it was marketed as a wallpaper cleaner. That all changed in the mid-1950s, when the product was used in Cincinnati schools. It quickly expanded around the country, with television advertisements boosting sales by the end of the decade.
7. Corn Popper
Kids all over the world have learned to walk with the assistance to this popular toy by Fisher-Price, which came out in 1957. We all may not have been old enough to truly remember getting this Christmas present, but it sure made growing up a lot more fun!
Image: Walmart
8. Pogo Stick
The modern design of the pogo stick came about in 1957, and kids (and adults) have been injuring themselves atop them ever since.
Image: Views from the Birdhouse
9. Hula Hoop
The 1950s were a much simpler time, weren't they? In 1958, the lightweight, plastic design of the hula hoop hit the market, meaning kids were spinning around for the rest of the decade.
Image: YouTube
10. Barbie
The first Barbie doll was introduced in March 1959. You could purchase either a blonde or brunette version of Barbie in the classic black-and-white striped bathing suit.
Image: Flickr
SEE ALSO: 10 MOST WANTED CHRISTMAS TOYS OF THE 1960S
Let's now jump ahead to the era of Easy-Bake Ovens, G.I. Joe and Chatty Cathy. READ MORE
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3 Comments
Also love Barbie, though mainly for the houses/businesses and accessories and whatnot. I didn’t play with dolls themselves much. Too awkward. I did like a few of the outfits.
Never could tell the difference between Hot Wheels & Matchbox; they’re all just “the wee metal vehicles” and I’d play with them with my brothers, picking my favorites to drive. The one that looked like my grandpa’s turquoise convertible was the best. And then came Super Van City (Micro Machines) and my Pound Puppies version—oh, the hours of creative joy.
