The Most Popular Christmas Toys, By Year Since 1960
The holiday shopping season is quickly descending upon us, which means this year’s more popular toys and consumer electronics are soon to become in increasingly high-demand. In recent memory, the Sony Playstation III, Beanie Babies, and of course, the Tickle-Me-Elmo have generated a considerable amount of hype – quickly selling out, and then establishing a re-sale market. But have you ever wondered what the “it toys” have been throughout the decades? We have, and as a result, we decided to compile a time-line which illustrates the top toys from the last 50 years. Here they are, the most popular Christmas toys since 1960:
(click image to enlarge)
How many of these do you recognize? All 50? Let us know if you do, and feel free to comment with the names of your favorite Christmas toys, and share some of your favorite memories. We will be sharing this full list (which include the names of all these toys) later in the week, so make sure to check back.
Note: After reviewing the data for this trip down memory lane, and a suggestion by our friends at Kotaku, we decided to replace the Sony PS3 with the Nintendo DS as 2007’s most popular toy
Huh, I was about to go off to start a band called “message board troll”. What a weird coincidence. We should totally join up and start a band together…
I’m guessing that the PS3 is in the 2007 slot just because the Wii is already in the 2006 slot. Truth be told, it should probably be in the 2008 spot too, but then that would just be a depressing end to this thing…
That is not the PS3 in 2007, that is the Nintendo DS.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like putting on a sweater-vest and partaking in some Battleship action.
And maybe the picture has been updated, but 2007 is the new Nintendo DS, not PS3.
I find the trends interesting, where there will be a couple years of girl toys (‘62-’63, ‘83-’85, ‘96-’97), then boy’s toys (‘64-’66, ‘86-’89 skipping pictionary’s universal appeal, ‘03-’05). Then there are the crazy toys interspersed in there, like the Ferbie and Tickle-me-Elmo’s, that who the heck knows how they got to be popular.
BTW, which toys did I get, the Speak and Spell and the Rubik’s Cube, the mentally stimulating toys, and not even new, years after. Oh, you’re playing Super Mario on your GameBoy, well I got 1 side of the cube to all be one color, suck on that.
Dungeons & Dragons, most popular in 1974? Nah. It might have been first published that year, but it didn’t become popular until a bit later. It should go in the 1978 or ‘79 slot, if anywhere.
I recognize all of them and have (in an attic somewhere)/had 28 out of the 50. Why yes, I am an only child? How did you know…
@JO
I guess I should have been more clear, the orginal image showed a TMX Elmo(tickle me elmo extreme?)
An updated stand-able (hence the hard plastic soles) and slightly more active version of the Tickle Me Elmo.
the TMX was released in 2006; 10 years after the original (which the image now reflects).
Hate to double post but shouldn’t the 2003 picture be of the original Robosapien instead of the currently pictured Robosapien v2?
If I recall correctly the v2 wasn’t released until late 2005.
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Where’s N.E.S.?
Hi, interesting post, I’m commenting it in my blog.
BR, Lucho.
Rubik’s Cube in 1980?
Are you kidding me?
In 1980 it barely came out in Hungary, let’s go figure if you knew it in USA..
Where is the pet rock and the mood ring?
Where’s Stretch Armstrong and the wind up Evel Knievel Super Stunt Cycle with Gyro Launcher ?
1977 Star Wars Figures? I think not. Sure the Early-Bird 4 pack of 3 3/4″ figures was a popular seller in 1977, BUT the 12″ figures didn’t hit toy shelves until 1978.
I could nit-pick this list to death, but I’ll leave it at that. Nice try, but utter failure on the details.
A teddy bear in 1997? Really? I’d pretty much go with what Jerry Brown said and would have believed if it were “mood ring” instead of teddy bear. heh.
I was born in 1978 and had one of those Speak N’ Spells when i was a kid. I had the rubiks cube (1980) and the super soaker (1990). Ah, this brings back memories
@Lily
The teddy bear is a beanie baby. The had pretty much any animal and I think they are still making them. They were/are a big collectors item
@Lily
That’s not a teddy bear per se, it’s a Beanie Baby. I think they just pictured a christmas one to fit the theme.
1997 was a Beanie Baby. Stupid toy, but verrrrry popular.
I remember the madness of the pokemon series. what a year!!!
aw man! 1995: pogs. those were the coolest thing that year in day care.
The hot toy this year for christmas is looking to be Zhu Zhu pets. Stupidest thing I’ve ever seen, but we can’t keep them on the shelves!
While considering the most popular gift this season, why not include a memorable lump of coal ornament gag gift from:
http:www.coalgaggifts.com
Dungeons and Dragons was never the most popular toy, even when it was popular.
And what’s with the Stay-puff Marshmallow man?
And also Atari2600 anyone? Anyone?
@William
I had that tall Luke Doll, and me and my friend from next door “competed’ on who had the newest and latest Star Wars toy that year. So although there wasn’t much out in 77, that December I was a brat about getting Star Wars Toys. I didn’t care what kind. So in a way, it was my Tickle me Elmo.
The toys are generally getting more expensive as the years go by.
Elmo Live for 2008? Obviously the person writing this has no clue what they are talking about. That was the biggest flop! Bakugan Battle Brawlers were by far the most popular christmas toy in 2008
FURBIE!!!! All i can say is i don’t think i’ve hated anything more than a furbie( well maybe teletubbies)….stupid furbies they never shut up
Hey i am doing a project on christmas. i was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me what all 50 are?
i know some but not all
thanks.
what about bob the builder — all my children had these toys within the last few years they are great learing toys for children
All this fuss about Wii and the PS3, the pic for 2007 is surely a DS .
The most instantly recognisable has to be the Rubik’s cube – I don’t know if there’ll ever be a more distinctive toy. Connect 4 comes close. Interesting to see a version of Monopoly in the Top 12 Christmas toys for 2009 (in the UK), although as it’s based on property development where the aim is to build the prestigious Monopoly Tower it’s not great timing against the backdrop of the Dubai situation – oh well…
I actually still have the ORIGINAL Red Power Rangers Doll…Hottest toy of the season…even got offered money for it when on the street with my toy…lol
Elmo Live in the 2008 slot? Bad Choice.
I was working at a Target at Christmas last year; I’m pretty sure we NEVER sold one of those things. Hyperbole aside, last year’s hottest toy by far were those stupid “bakugan”. And this year it’s going to be “zhu-zhu pets”. THE POWER OF OPRAH
Have you shared the list of the names of these toys yet? If so, where? Thanks
Anybody knows where I could buy this toy?
QUINNY ZAPP MAXI COSI DOLL STROLLER PRAM COMBO 4 IN 1
It is a beautiful stroller, mini replica of the actual quinny set.
My neighbor got it somwhere in Europe and I am desperetely looking for one
for my little girl for christmas gift.
any help pleeeeeeeeeease, time is running out.
anyone knows where to buy
QUINNY ZAPP MAXI COSI DOLL STROLLER PRAM COMBO 4 IN 1
this is such a hot toy in Europe and I can’t find it here… running out of time
christmas is coming.
Say, where’d you get the data from? I’m interested to know how this all was determined, I’d like to Sporcle the list (assuming I’ve identified them all correctly).
What a great list, I never realized that PlayMobiles outdated the Lego. It’s also interesting that there are way more popular ‘boy’ toys than the ones for the girls. I’d love to see a list of pre 1960 best selling toys going back to the Stick and Hoop my great grandmother use to play with…