These toys are a blast from the past. Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by Fox 19 in Cincinnati to show off some rad retro toys that are having a revival this holiday season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the holiday season, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.


OREGON TRAIL HANDHELD GAME (BASIC FUN!)

  • Learn about the realities of 19th-century pioneer life on The Oregon Trail, just like in one of the most successful computer games of all time!
  • Choose your profession and your traveling companions, then set out on the trek from Independence, Missouri to Oregon’s Willamette Valley circa 1848.
  • Fill your covered wagon with supplies and prepare to cross rivers and mountain ranges along the way—hunting for food and trading for supplies as you go.
  • Monitor your traveling pace, supplies, and the health of your party closely to make sure everyone arrives safely and to avoid the dreaded “You have died of dysentery” message.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Target

CRACKERS IN MY BED (WINNING MOVES)

  • Find ‘em, Match em’, Feed Him Quick!
  • Kids spin the spinner and search through the bear’s bed to find the top-half cracker pieces that match the bottom-half cracker pieces they have.
  • When a correct match is made, kids “feed the bear.” First player to feed all their crackers to the bear wins!
  • This game is designed for two to four players.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $12.95
  • Available: Amazon

POLLY POCKET TINY POCKET WORLD ASSORTMENT (MATTEL)

  • Each compact Pocket World opens to reveal a fun theme with unexpected surprises, micro dolls, and accessories and is small enough to take anywhere for great Polly Pocket adventures.
  • Choose from Cake-tastrophe with micro Polly and Shani dolls plus scooter and microphone, Flamingo Floatie with micro Polly and Lila dolls plus flamingo and swan floaties, and Snowmazing Surprise with micro Polly and Shani dolls plus snowboard and sled.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $14.99
  • Available: Fall 2018, all major retailers

CUPCAKE SURPRISE CLASSIC TALES (SUNNY DAYS ENTERTAINMENT)

  • With a little sweet magic and infinite imagination, decadent desserts transform into princesses with every Cupcake Surprise!
  • Every princess doll will be the belle of the ball and all the bakeries of the land in her sparkly gown and decorative bonnet, or indulge in a sugary treat and serve these charming cupcakes fresh from the oven.
  • Expect endless playtime and never-ending wonderment in each Cupcake Surprise – discover deliciously scented fragrances with every doll!
  • Whether in the bakery, kitchen, or castle, the sweet-smelling 2-in-1 toy will surely inspire imaginative play.
  • Each doll comes with her own styling hairbrush.
  • Packaged in new and different styles with six available scents: strawberry, vanilla, grape, chocolate, lemon, and peanut butter.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $9.99 each
  • Available: Amazon, specialty stores  

CABBAGE PATCH KIDS 35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION VINTAGE KIDS (WICKED COOL TOYS)

  • The newest Cabbage Patch Kids collection is as special as ever.
  • The tradition continues with more fabulous one-of-a-kind Kids available in a diverse variety of skin tones, hair colors, and themes to mirror a wide cross section of the world’s population!
  • Each 14-inch Cabbage Patch Kid features new fashions and accessories with fun themes such as slumber party, luau, picnic, tea party and more, plus a sweet lollipop accessory to interact with Lots-of-Licks Adoptimal pets!
  • Watch as the adorable Adoptimal really licks the lollipop!
  • Each Kid is special and unique – coming with their very own name, birth date, official birth certificate and adoption papers from BabyLand General Hospital.
  • Make the promise to love and care for your Kid and take the Oath of Adoption to join the Cabbage Patch Kids family today!
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $29.99 – $34.99
  • Available: Amazon and Target

ARCADE1UP (ARCADE1UP)

  • Brace yourself to be plunged back in time to an era of adrenaline pumping, old school fun with Arcade 1Up as it brings iconic gaming back to you.
  • Whether you are a retro junkie or curious to check out the hype – this is the perfect way to enjoy arcade play within your home, dorm room or office.
  • Arcade 1Up arcades are available in multiple exciting versions, the just under 4-ft tall cabinets include commercial grade construction and coinless operation.
  • Available in: Rampage, Street Fighter II, Asteroids, and Centipede.
  • All the machines feature original artwork of all-time iconic games.
  • With immersive full-color hi-res displays and sounds, and combined with original joystick and control buttons setup, you are looking at endless hours of gaming!  
  • Features upgraded 17″ color LCD screen, adjustable volume, on-screen game selection menu, and plugs into an AC outlet.
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $299
  • Available: Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, FYE

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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