So much in the world has changed since the time we were kids. The internet was born, smartphones became a thing, fashion is different (thankfully), cars are different, and work has changed a lot, too. It’s wild when we think about the past and how quickly things shift. But not everything changes – or it doesn’t change too drastically. Some things — like certain classic toys — stand the test of time.
We didn’t have VR sets and super-fast PlayStation consoles, but we did have Barbies and hula hoops, Play-Doh, and Hot Wheels cars. While some have gotten makeovers in our lifetime, the elements that make a timeless toy popular have remained.
Here are 14 toys that are played with all over the world, according to data compiled by The Toy Zone, and these ones are standouts for very good reasons. When you look at the most popular classic toys, the fact that they're recogizable no matter what age you are is a sign that they will likely never go out of style.
Barbie
Not surprisingly, Barbie is the most popular classic toy around the world. It has been around since the ‘50s and has been a favorite of every generation since. Barbie dominates in 55 countries: The doll is the favorite classic toy in Colombia, Peru, Algeria, Morocco, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Rwanda, to name a few.
Matchbox
Matchbox toys have been around for a really long time. Our kids love collecting them and many of us did as well. While they’re not sold in actual matchboxes anymore, they’re a timeless toy that lasts forever thanks to the die cast they are made from. It’s a top toy in a few countries including Australia and Thailand.
Rubik's Cube
When we think toy, uit's likely our brains don’t immediately go to Rubik’s Cube. It’s more puzzle than toy, but it’s a toy nonetheless. It’s not easy to solve the cube, and when we figure out the secret to get it to work, we feel unstoppable. Meanwhile, generation after generation of kids are still trying to crack the cube, making it a favorite in Puerto Rico, Malta, Jordan, Cyprus, Iceland, Singapore – and more.
Diabolo
Many of us were introduced to this fun toy on school playgrounds. It’s a fun solo game but it was also great if we wanted to have a friendly competition with our friends. The toy is sticks and strings, and is way more challenging than it looks. It’s a favorite classic toy in the Netherlands.
Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head is another one of those ageless toys. We’re not totally sure why it’s so loved, but we don’t question it. When we were younger, the only character available was Mr. Potato Head. Now we have Ms. Potato Head, Baby Potato Head, and the Potato Head family. It's still one of the most popular toys in both the United States and Canada.
Scalextric
Scalextric isn’t a brand that’s well known in the United States, but it’s a classic racing car toy that kids haven’t been able to get enough of for generations. It’s sort of like an electric train set plus racing car, and it’s a favorite in places like Spain and Northern Ireland.
Frisbee
It’s probably not a coincidence that some of the world's classic toys are simple but fun. That’s how we would describe the Frisbee. It’s a sport and it’s a toy. It can be enjoyed by someone playing with it for the first time, but it's also a toy that, with some practice, anyone could become an expert. It’s a favorite in many countries including Denmark, Italy, and Sweden.
Nerf
How many of us had kids who had a Nerf product under the Christmas tree this year? The same brand was on our wish list growing up, too. The toys have been around since the ’70s, and Nerf has basically been at the top since then. There are a decent amount of countries that put this toy at the top, including Belgium, Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, and more.
Slime
Many of us have survived the make-your-own slime phase that our kids were obsessed with, but store-bought slime has been around for a long time. The data shows that slime is the top classic toy in 21 countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Vietnam.
Hot Wheels
It’s one of the first toys we give to little kids here when they turn 3, and it's highly likely we played with them growing up too. They’re collectibles, great for imaginative play, and fun for all ages and genders. Hot Wheels are classics in several countries including Bulgaria, Ukraine, Serbia, Indonesia, and more.
Play-Doh
Play-Doh was never meant to be a toy. Originally it was a wallpaper cleaner, and if that doesn’t tell you that this toy is from the early 1930s, well, it should. It’s an incredibly popular toy — especially for kids who live in Saudi Arabia. And Play-Doh keeps on giving because it can be made into many different things over and over — just mind the post-play cleanup.
Yo-yo
Toys from the ’50s really knew what they were doing, and the classic yo-yo is proof of that. The toy is simple and consists of an axle, two discs, and a string. The incredible thing about is is how people elevated its play – there are a lot of tricks you can do with the yo-yo. This toy is a favorite in Luxembourg, Honduras, Ethiopia, Brunei, Laos, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan.
Hula Hoop
Such a simple toy, a plastic hoop, that’s been around since forever — like 500 BC. However, the modern hula hoop emerged in the ’50s, and adults and kids have loved it ever since. It’s fun to practice with, and it's technically exercise, too. The classic toy is still a favorite in Germany and Austria.
Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
The Rock ’Em Sock ’Em robots is a two-payer game and action figure all in one. The toy has one blue robot and one red one, and the objective is to manipulate the buttons to attempt to knock the head off the other robot. It’s a favorite for people in Japan. The toy has been updated since then, but it still has the same retro feel.
Check out the full map
The Toy Zone discovered the top classic toys in every country, and taking a peek at the whole map is pretty fascinating. It's clear why these toys are popular in so many places around the world – and through several decades, too.
Take a look at the entire map on The Toy Zone.
