The Coolest Toys of the 1960s

Do you remember the ’60s? Because if you do, you know getting the latest toy was the difference between being a groovy kid or a square. So check out the coolest and best 1960s toys on the market. Which ones will you add to your wish list?

View-Master

Throw a disc into a slot. Throw the eyepiece onto your eyeballs. And observe the beauty of pseudo 3D landscapes in glorious full color.

While developments of the toy existed as early as 1919, the View-Master took off in the ’60s thanks in part to technological advances and tie-ins with popular TV shows of the day.

Wiffle Ball

A toy named after the sound it makes when you do it wrong. Sound weird? It wasn’t for David N. Mullany, who invented this particular ball for easier pickup baseball games with his son. The name came from what happens when you don’t make contact: whiff!

In the 1960s, everyone was playing whiffle ball, even organizing makeshift tournaments in their backyard.

Troll Dolls

In 1959, a Danish woodworker named Thomas Dam couldn’t afford a Christmas gift for his daughter. So, he carved one: the very first Troll doll. Folks from neighboring Danish towns wanted one, and the brand quickly expanded from there. If you find a vintage ’60s troll, make sure it’s legit.

Dam made some errors in his original copyright attempts, resulting in lots of knockoffs.

Tressy

Tressy, created by furniture designer and inventor Jesse Dean, had a curious feature setting her apart from other dolls of the era. If you pushed a button on Tressy’s stomach, her hair could grow. Thus, kids were able to comb and style their Tressy’s hair into whatever hip look they wished.

Everyone’s Tressy was inherently unique.