Retro toys from our childhood: Then and now

Classic toys that parents used to play with as kids are now making a comeback as shinier, flashier, modern versions, evoking the sense of nostalgia in us. Let's take a look at how they were back then and now.

Retro toys from our childhood - Then and now

Have you noticed that some of the toys your kids play with now look strangely familiar to the ones you had as a child? A trip to the toy store is like you’re strolling down memory lane as you recognise a few action figures or dolls from your past.

Let’s fondly reminisce the original retro toys we once loved when we were young, and compare them to the new modern version our kids are happily playing with today!

Care Bears

These cute and cuddly bears with all colours of the rainbow were originally created by American Greetings Corporation for use on greeting cards, but later were released as plush toys and also had their own cartoon series.

The older versions of Care Bears sported more softer pastel colours, whereas the new ones have a brighter hue. Some of their names have also been changed, along with their signature tummy emblems.

We also noticed that the newer ones have smaller tummies and much larger heads than the original ones from the 80’s.

(Image credit: Instagram – plexiplex/ dolls4ushop)

Lego

This simple toy is great for kids to develop various skills and has been a classic favourite since the late 1940’s.

Children can let their imaginations and creativity run wild as they construct these colourful plastic bricks into vehicles, buildings, animals, robots or anything that their hearts desire.

They have since expanded and updated their range and now even have a robotics set with a programmable Lego brick using computer software.

(Image credit: Instagram – slamking/ mrhongsclass)

Cabbage Patch Kids

These little baby dolls captured the hearts of kids from the 70’s with their cute button nose, chubby cheeks and sweet tiny outfits.

Created by artist Xavier Roberts, avid fans can even join the Collector’s Club to enjoy exclusive members only benefits.

The minor change between the original dolls and the ones now is that their eyes are more brighter and their hair is a bit more realistic – but they are still as adorable!

(Image credit: Instagram – cabbagepatchkidfriends)

Monopoly

Originated in the USA, this fun board game allows players to make their way across the board buying or trading properties and collect rent - with the ultimate goal of making their opponents going bankrupt.

It was first commercially sold in the 1930’s and there are now so many different versions of this family board game – including a Singapore edition!

A few of the cards have received graphic upgrades and there have been minor tweaks to some rules, but this board game is still a favourite among young and old.

(Image credit: Instagram – lottielehooper/ Hasbro Singapore)

Furby

Created by Hasbro, Furbies were a hit in the 90’s but disappeared for a while and then made a comeback just a few years ago in 2012.

Similar to the older versions, Furbies can speak a bit of English and their own unique language, "Furbish".

But these "younger Furbies" are a hi-tech generation as they also come with an app that you can download on your mobile device which will allow your child to be able to interact more with their furry talking pal.

(Image credit: Instagram – jimmy_tolino/ lucky8_shoppy)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

These crime-fighting turtles in a half shell started out as a comic series and graced the screens back in the 1980’s.

Three decades later, they are still a hot favourite among kids and there was even a remake of the movie starring Megan Fox.

The foursome ninja gang of turtle brothers must have laid off the pizza and started working out more over the years because the modern version of action figures seem to be a bit more muscular!

(Image credit: Instagram – dropkickadamcik/ m_stiff_smith)

My Little Pony

Back in the 80’s, Hasbro created these pretty ponies with pastel bodies, colourful manes and unique symbols on their flanks (now known as "cutie marks").

They came in all sorts of shapes and sizes – from unicorns to winged ponies, sea ponies and special ones with twinkle-eye, which included a lot of adorable accessories too.

There have been a few versions, or "generations" of ponies since then, the most current being Generation Four which feature leaner ponies with brighter colours and they have even evolved into pony-girl hybrids called "Equestria Girls".

(Image credit: Instagram - coco_berry_86/ mylitteponyheroine)

Sylvanian Families

This line of pint-sized anthropomorphic animal figurines were created by Japanese gaming company, Epoch, in 1985 and there has even been a Sylvanian Families themed restaurant and theme-park attraction in Japan.

The adorable animals available include cats, rabbits, bears, hedgehogs, mice, and other woodland creatures.

The tiny dollhouses and playsets originally were made of porcelain with miniature wooden furniture, but the newer versions are now made with plastic and metal.

(Image credit: Instagram – sylvanianfamiliesuk)

Play Doh

Do you remember making colourful Play Doh cookies or dinosaurs with your siblings back then? This classic toy has helped kids develop their fine motor skills since the mid 1950’s and is still wildly popular to this very day.

To mark Play Doh’s fiftieth anniversary, Demeter Fragrance Library even created a limited-edition cologne which was inspired by Play Doh’s scent, for "highly creative people who seek a whimsical scent reminiscent of their childhood".

Kids nowadays get to have fun with the many accessories available with Play Doh and even special edition sets with themes of popular children’s shows.

(Image credit: Instagram – poppedculturevintage/ oyunhamurutv)

Transformers

These robots in disguise have been morphing from cars, trucks and other automobiles ever since the 80’s and even had their own cartoon series.

Making a popular comeback on the big screen as directed by Michael Bay, Transformers action figures and merchandise are still sold in toy stores now and even have a large fanbase of all ages.

The current range of Autobots and Decepticons are more detailed and there is even a new Combiner Wars Construction Devastator set which you, uh, we mean your kids, can put the robots together to build the largest Transformers Combiner figure, called Devastator!

(Image credit: Instagram – regulon_four/ 03joey26)

Polly Pocket

A lot of little girls in the 90’s always carried around these teeny tiny dollhouses, well, in their pockets. These portable plastic compact houses had different shapes and themes and featured a miniature toy girl called Polly Pocket.

In the new version, you will find that the cute little blonde girl is hitting puberty now as she has a trimmer figure, longer legs and a more stylish wardrobe.

But it’s refreshing to see that there is a wider range of characters of all colours now to represent little boys and girls from different backgrounds.

(Image credit: Youtube/ Instagram – kate.sargent)

What are other toys are there from your past which have been given a makeover? Do you prefer the original versions or the newer ones? Let us know in the comments below!