Top 10 Iconic Toys from History

With the rise of industrialization and evolving views on child labor, modern children have far more free time compared to those living over a century ago. Even with limited playtime, kids in the past ingeniously turned simple objects like rocks or fabric scraps into cherished toys. Their creativity turned everyday items into sources of joy, rivaling today’s high-tech gadgets. Dive into the fascinating history of play and uncover some of the most iconic toys, from primitive jacks used by early humans to the metal construction sets of the 1800s.

10: The Hoop

For millennia, the humble hoop has brought joy to children in various forms. As far back as 1000 B.C.E., ancient Egyptian children twirled dried grapevines around their waists, creating the earliest versions of hula-hoops. By the 14th century, both adults and children in Europe spun metal or wooden hoops, a precursor to modern hula-hooping [source: Patrick and Thompson]. Across Europe and the Americas, people rolled wooden hoops using sticks or their hands. In the 1800s, young European women played Graces, a game where they tossed wooden hoops to each other using slender sticks. This activity was considered one of the few socially acceptable games for women at the time and was seldom played by men [source: Boyle].

In the mid-19th century, British sailors named the "hula-hoop" after observing how Hawaiian hula dances resembled the European practice of spinning hoops around the hips. While the hula-hoop's popularity soared in the 1950s, it remains a staple in toy stores worldwide.

9: Erector Set

In the early 20th century, the Erector set was the equivalent of today’s Lego. Invented in 1913 by a Yale-trained doctor, this toy featured steel girders of various sizes that children could assemble with nuts and bolts to construct buildings, bridges, machines, and more. Like modern building toys, Erector sets could be taken apart and rebuilt endlessly, offering years of creative play. Later versions included electric motors, wheels, pulleys, and gears, enabling kids to build functional models like spinning Ferris wheels or working steam shovels.

In its first three decades, over 30 million Erector sets were sold, driven by one of the toy industry's earliest nationwide advertising campaigns [source: Bass].

8: Marbles

Marbles have been a source of joy for children worldwide since ancient times. Archaeologists have unearthed marbles dating back to 3000 B.C.E. in regions ranging from Africa to ancient Greece and North America [source: Patrick and Thompson]. Early marbles were crafted from natural materials like stones, nuts, or fruit pits [source: Strong National Museum of Play]. Over time, clay marbles emerged, with some featuring elaborate hand-painted designs. By the 19th century, glass marbles with colorful swirls became popular, while others were made from agate or Venetian marble, inspiring the toy's name. Mass production began in 1902, making marbles a favorite among middle-class children in Europe and the U.S. [source: Scott].

The game "Ringer" is the most beloved marbles game, where players aim to knock opponents' marbles out of a dirt-drawn circle. Depending on the rules, kids could play for fun or to keep the marbles they won. Today, antique marbles are highly collectible, with rare pieces fetching hundreds of dollars.

7: Yo-yo

The yo-yo traces its origins to 500 B.C.E., as documented in ancient Greek records, where it was crafted from wood, metal, or painted clay by both children and adults [source: McMahon]. By the 1700s, French nobility enjoyed yo-yos made from glass or ivory [source: Patrick and Thompson]. The contemporary yo-yo emerged in 1929 when Pedro Flores, an immigrant, founded the Yo-Yo Manufacturing Company in the U.S. His company, later known as the Duncan Toy Company, quickly produced 300,000 units daily [source: Townsend]. Yo-yo competitions and the pursuit of new tricks fueled its popularity. Although overshadowed by modern toys, the yo-yo still thrives in competitions, with innovations like light-up and self-retracting models sparking periodic resurgences.

6: Rag Doll

Throughout history, young girls have honed their nurturing instincts by playing with simple dolls crafted from available materials. These homemade dolls were often made from rags or fabric scraps, though wood, bone, and clay were also used. The oldest known doll, dating back to the 1st century, was discovered in Egypt and made from rags and papyrus. While similar dolls likely existed in ancient times, their fragile materials mean few have survived to the present day [source: British Museum].

The 20th century's mass-production made store-bought dolls widely available to children in the U.S. and Europe, leading to a decline in rag dolls. However, the rag doll saw a revival in the 1970s with the popularity of Holly Hobbie, a soft-bodied doll reminiscent of traditional handmade toys [source: Brewer].

5: Kaleidoscope

In the early 1800s, Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster discovered mesmerizing light patterns while experimenting with optics. By positioning mirrors inside a tube, he created the kaleidoscope, which he patented shortly after. Adding colored glass, beads, and tinsel enhanced the device's intricate designs. American toy makers later adapted Brewster's concept, using liquid-filled tubes with air bubbles to produce similar effects when rotated [source: Sobey and Sobey]. Before modern entertainment, the kaleidoscope was a groundbreaking toy that fascinated people of all ages.

4: Cup and Ball

The cup and ball, known for its simplicity, has appeared in various cultures worldwide. Originating in 16th-century France, the toy, called the bilboquet, was popular among young nobles. It featured a wooden ball with a hole, attached by a string to a pointed stick. The goal was to swing the stick so the ball's hole aligned with the stick's tip, securing the ball in place. European explorers introduced this toy globally, and it appears in art and literature from Japan to North America [source: University of Waterloo].

As the toy traveled, different cultures adapted it. Some versions use a wooden cup to catch the ball, while others feature a flat stick with a hole for the ball to pass through. In Japan, a two-sided cup is common, and the traditional bilboquet with a pointed stick remains popular. Despite its simple design, mastering this toy offers endless entertainment for all ages.

3: Lincoln Logs

John Lloyd Wright, inspired by his father's earthquake-resistant building design, noticed the unique interlocking beams used in construction. In 1924, he created a set of wooden log toys with notches at each end, allowing the pieces to interlock securely. He named the toy "Lincoln Logs" after President Lincoln, even featuring Lincoln's image on the packaging to boost sales. The name also referenced Lincoln's famous childhood cabin [source: Strong National Museum of Play].

The toy's association with the revered president, combined with the early 20th-century building toy trend, made Lincoln Logs a massive success. Made entirely of wood, this timeless toy remains popular today, enabling modern children to build log cabins and forts just as their predecessors did over a century ago.

2: Jacks

If your last encounter with jacks involved dodging their sharp points, you might be amazed by the toy's rich history. Historians believe children have played versions of this game since the Cro-Magnon era, using primitive jacks to enhance hand-eye coordination for hunting [source: Strong National Museum of Play]. Before metal jacks and rubber balls, kids crafted jacks from sheep knucklebones, beans, rocks, or fruit pits. Balls were made of wood, or children simply tossed a rock and tried to collect jacks before it landed. The song "This Old Man" originated as a counting rhyme for jacks players.

1: Rocking Horse

Toys have long helped children learn adult skills in a playful way, and the rocking horse is a prime example. For centuries, horses were essential for transportation, hunting, and sports. Early rocking horses provided a safe way for kids to practice riding without the risks of real horses [source: Powerhouse Museum]. Sixteenth-century versions were homemade and resembled cradles. By the 18th century, rocking horses evolved into their modern form, with carved wooden legs and curved bows [source: Strong National Museum of Play]. Mass production in the 19th century made them accessible to middle-class families, leading to their peak popularity in the early 20th century.

In 1880, toy makers introduced a safer design by adding crossbars to the traditional bow shape. This "safety rocking horse" reduced tipping, minimizing injuries and damage to furniture and walls.