Timeless With A Twist
I know that every year there’s the ‘hot toy’ that everyone can’t get their hands on. After years of hearing about Elmos and Rock Bands and Furbys flying off the shelves, I thought it’d be fun to look at a few classic toys – and how they’ve been reinvented for a new spin on an old favourite. Nostalgia for you + good ol’ fashioned fun for the kids? Nothing wrong with that.
Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven – $59.99
I remember being so jealous of my cousin when she got an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas one year. My mom thought I was nuts – and for good reason. Cooking with a light bulb? That’s where today’s ‘Ultimate’ edition comes in – light bulb free and jazzed up with a snazzy new look, this is a great way to introduce your little ones to cooking and creativity. The super cute set includes trays for cakes and cupcakes, plus mixes to start your aspiring chef off. Got a birthday or special occasion coming up in the next few months after the holidays? There are plenty of mixes for other gift kideas to keep little hands busy in a little slice of the kitchen.
Play-Doh Mr. Potato Head Shape-A-Spud Playset – $19.99
Play-Doh + Mr. Potato Head? It’s doesn’t get much more iconic than that. In this incarnation you build your potato creation from the ground up, place him on a pedestal, and push his arms down to watch him grow hair. Style and snip it down, and when you’re tired of your latest spud bud, start all over again. Awesome way to extend the ‘life’ and possibilities for kids to put their own stamp on this trademark toy.
Lite Brite LED Flat Screen – $19.99
Can you imagine giving someone a clunky tube television or computer monitor for Christmas? No way. So why would you give someone an old school Lite Brite? Enter the new & improved flat screen edition. Not only is it super slim, the LED light means the bulb will (likely) outlast your kid’s interest in it. Pegs are now conveniently stored in a drawer beneath the Lite Brite, which can flip down for easy canvas creation and peg access. The base set comes with a half-dozen patterns that’ll keep your kids occupied for ages. Of course, it could also keep your adult friends busy as well – there’s something pretty zen about poking holes and ending up with something beautiful. Enjoy the new ‘flicker’ mode as well to bring a taste of neon lights to your living room or office.
G.I. Joe ‘Real American Hero’ Action Figures – $24.99
For every girl that grew up with Barbie, there’s a boy that grow up with GI Joe. Although the GI Joe team has been keeping awfully busy in the field, fighting the evil terrorists Cobra Command, that doesn’t mean there aren’t battles to fight back home. Enter the revitalized 12″ ‘Real American Heroes’ collection – four depictions of the guys back home that are just as important as the fantastical, fictional world of GI Joe. Grab a firefighter or police officer, or one of two army fighters (Army Heavy Gunner & Rapid Strike Commando) to inspire your kids to respect the people that are truly making a difference, every day, right here at home.
Yahtzee Flash – $24.99
Yahtzee has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1950s. I’d definitely say this is one toy on the list that isn’t just for kids – but if you buy it for ’em, consider ‘borrowing’ it for yourself. The new digital edition is pretty brainy – the digital dice can automatically tell what you’ve decided to hold and what you’d like to re-roll for, simply by lining them or separating them from one another. There’s four action-packed games, three of which can be played solo (and thus providing an opportunity to challenge your friends), and one of which is a true party game. Thanks to the handy carrying case, you can tuck it in your carry-on for airport layovers or give it to your kids to keep them busy while Christmas dinner is being served up.
There you have it, my top 5 picks for timeless toys that have been given new life. To celebrate, I’ve got a Flatscreen Lite Brite to give away to one lucky reader that’s feeling these picks. To enter:
1) Leave a comment below before December 10th and tell me what your favourite ‘classic’ toy is – whether it’s one of the above inspirations or not. Be sure to include your name and email address (the latter of which only I can see) when posting so I can contact you if you win!
2) Entries are limited to one per person per email address (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 10th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry Time: Every time you leave a comment on a NON-CONTEST post that’s published between today & December 10th, you’ll earn a bonus entry!
As always, you’re free to email me if you want full rules & regs by emailing canadiangiftguide -at- gmail – dot- com. Play on!
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED – THANKS FOR ENTERING!
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Canadian Gift Guide 
Candy Land
yes! candy land!
My favourite is Etch-A-Sketch! I love the simplicity of the two dials and I’ve seen some amazing art work online done with such a simple toy!
OMG Lite Brite was the shiz!! I also enjoyed Etch-a-Sketch, and mega oversized Lego.
Candyland for sure, it’s so easy to play and it’s now my daughter’s favourite.
smash up derby for sure!!!!
Barbie will always be my home girl.
hotwheels with the track
I loved the memory game called Merlin, it looked like a red phone.
My fav is a light brite!
lisaandkevin@yahoo.ca
my favourite ‘classic’ toy is the Etch-a-Sketch
My fav has to be Lite Bright!
You’ve just convinced me to not only get my god-daughter a Lite Bright, but one for myself as well! Love it!
my favorite toy as a kid was my easy-bake oven… nothing like baking with a 100 watt light bulb!
Mousetrap!
Cabbage Patch Dolls all the way!
The pop o matic game of Trouble!
Definately Etch-a-Sketch is my fave.
Operation!
Scrabble!
margaret.imecs@gmail.com
Lego!! Adults , teenagers and kids, can’t seem to resist showing off their building skills.
My favourite classic toy is Fashion Plates. As a little girl I spent hours creating and colouring outfits. Lots of fun!
Scrabble was my favorite
I liked Monopoly
I played Clue all the time as a kid
I liked the Slinkee… So simple… so mesmerizing. Of course I bought some for my kids stockings last year and they were twisted or tangled by the time the week was up… lol.
lego
My favourite timeless toy is the easy bake oven. I remember how fun cake baking use to be when I used my easy bake oven.
I loved my Etch-a-Sketch when I was young!
Loved playing the game operation
I loved my Slinky while I was growing up! No batteries, just mind power basically!
thanks
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I loved all of these but my boys are that age where they would love to play with Mr potato head especially with play doh
I loved Etch-a-Sketch
Definitely Lite Brite! I would play with that for hours every day!
Light bright hands down!
Weird, I was actually going to order the Easy-Oven Bake from AirMiles, first time I saw it today and now second time!
Some classics for me are the Etch-a-Sketch, the original Lite-Brite, Memory and any Barbies, of course! 🙂
I always loved BattleShip!!
I used to love my barbie camper
I love Etch A Sketch
Lite bright has always been a big favourite. I still have a container of pegs somewhere!
lite bright is my fav, i can remember i spent hours with my lite bright when i was younger
love the litebright!
So kinda older here but I have to agree with slinky and add in jacks and marbles.
I loved my easy bake oven!
My favourite ‘classic’ toy is etch a sketch
My favorite toy is still Legos. I love playing with them with my grand-daughter.
Lego – love it !
Barbie – still have all the stuff from when I was a kid and play with my nieces. They love the Barbie airplane
Etch-a-Sketch was my fave as a kid. Even the adults would get into the fun.
My favorite when I was little was the original lite-bright.
I loved light brite!!
I absolutely love the easy bake oven. So many memories for me! My mom and sister and I would bake a cake every Friday night. So much fun!
I loved a game we had called Rebound, you shot little discs against a rubber banded area and then scored if they landed on special area-i played that for hours
I like Yahtzee
Checkers was always a favorite in our home and still is
I love the easy bake oven.My granddaughter wants this for xmas so I hope I win.
My favourite of the classics is the lite bright. My dad gave me his old one when i was a kid and i played with it pretty often.
My favourite classic toy was Connect 4 – so simple to play, so frustrating to lose. You could make my childhood wish come true with this prize, as a kid I desperately wanted a Lite Brite and never got one…
Glo Worm, Cabbage Patch, and Candyland are my FAVES (Along with LiteBrite of course hehe) 🙂
my fave is the etch-a-sketch
The original Lite Brite – how sweet that it’s still around!!!!
My favs were spyro-graph, and a plush talking Cecile the Sea Serpent
Got to love G. I. Joe action figures =)
I love Barbie!
My favourite classic toy was he Easy Bake Oven!
my favorite was lite brite
I liked ordinary Lego!
My dog and I liked the Frisbee best!
good selection of toys
My fav old school toy is marbles!
My favorite classic toy is the barbie head where you can do her hair and makeup. I loved that toy as a kid
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
i liked my viewfinder and looking at new “photos”
My favourite classic toy is still Lego. Love it.
My favourite was my viewmaster and reels.
lite brite!
I *always* wanted a Lite Brite when I was a kid, but never had one. How fun! Anyhow, my favourite classic game is Yahtzee. I still play it and love it!
Yahtzee would be my favourite.
My favourite toy was always boardgames. I liked Payday. I think it’s still around.
My favourite toy growing up with Stretch Armstrong 🙂
Monopoly is my favourite, it never goes out of style, no matter how many times it has been reinvented over the years.
The EasyBake Oven, hands down!
cool
Monopoly was my favourite
Slinky was my favourite
i like contest and board games are fun like monopoly . scrabble .
My favourite classic toy is not listed above, but is also making a come back. Lincoln logs. I love those, my oldest (who is going on 18) loved them, and now my little ones (20m, 3 and 4yrs) will get the chance to play with them as well. Classic toys are the best 🙂
My favorite was the glow worm ❤
i wouldn't sleep without it and now my youngest love them too.
Classic toys will always come back !!
Etch-a-sketch was awesome back in the day!
Kerplunk was always my favourite classic game, probably because I liked the sound of the marbles hitting the plastic tray!
My favorite classic toy is My Little Ponies!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
My favorite classic toy has definitely got to be my cabbage patch dolls. I still have them!!! thanks for the giveaway!
dalleykt at live dot ca
My favorite was Lite Brite!
I loved barbie and all her accessories, as well as My Little Pony…oh and what about Gem!!
Lite Brite is something I enjoyed as a kid and I’m sure my children would enjoy it today.
I would love the easybake oven because I have been feeling nostalgic lately! LOL
I would LOVE the easybake oven as I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic lately!
Barbie. Homemade barbie fashion stores. Jean-Pierre! And Trouble.
*Nice*