Toys and Games from My Childhood

Below are some of the toys, games, and other fun things that I had, got to play with, or desired as a kid. They go from the 1960s through the 1970s and into 1980s. (I'm still working on this page. More will be added as soon as possible.)

Barrel of Monkeys

I had these when I was really little. I didn't usually play with them the way you were supposed to.

Retroland: Barrel of Monkeys

Wikipedia: Barrel of Monkeys

Lite-Brite

Some kids that lived near my grandmother had a Lite-Brite when I was around 4 years old. I thought all of the bright colors were cool. This probably got me ready to love the bright colors of arcade games such as Defender that were to come a decade later.

Retroland: Lite-Brite

Wikipedia: Lite-Brite

Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots

I got to play Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots when I was around 7 years old. I can't remember right now, but I think somebody gave me my own later on because I remember trying to play it by myself (since my family moved around a lot) and it wasn't much fun as a solo game.

Retroland: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots

Feeling Retro: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots

Wikipedia: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots

G.I. Joe Adventure Team

I liked my fuzzy-headed G.I. Joes, but I really loved them when I got some of the accessories when I lived in Illinois. I had the Search for the Stolen Idol set that had the big yellow helicopter. I also had the Secret of The Mummy's Tomb set which included a six-wheeled Adventure Team vehicle, mummy's coffin, pith helmet, and more. I also had various other accessories including an astronaut suit, but I can't remember right now if it was part of a big set or not.

Retroland: G.I. Joe

Feeling Retro: G.I. Joe

Wikipedia: G.I. Joe Adventure Team

Wham-O Magic Window

I saw a Magic Window when I was sitting in a small waiting room around 1973 or 1974 and thought it was kind of fun, so I eventually got one. It wasn't the greatest toy in the world, but it was fun to mess with once in a while. It was like playing with ocean waves. It took me until 2005 to find the name of it. I remembered that it was a clear, thin oval and that it seemed to have blue and white 'sand' in it, but that's all I could remember. The name of it never stuck in my head. I also never knew there was a pink and white version back then.

Timeless Toys: Wham-O Magic Window

magicwindows.org (rectangular version for sale now by the inventor)

Here's my original blog post about the Wham-O Magic Window