Things From The ’60s That Could Be Worth Something Today

Made By: Hasbro
Avg. Cost: $20*
Est. Value Today: $40-60*

The Easy Bake Oven was a popular toy for young children in the 1960s and 1970s. It allowed kids to bake miniature cakes and treats using a small light bulb as the heat source. The oven was marketed as a fun way to encourage kids to learn about cooking and baking. The original Easy Bake Oven came in a classic turquoise blue color and was later available in a variety of other colors and styles.

Easy Bake Oven @clickusa / Pinterest

Despite its popularity, the Easy Bake Oven has fallen out of favor in recent years as kids’ toys and interests have shifted towards electronic devices and video games. However, the Easy Bake Oven remains a nostalgic piece of toy history and is sought after by collectors and those who remember playing with it as children.

Made By: Mattel, Inc.
Avg. Cost: $1*
Est. Value Today: $12*

Hot Wheels cars were first introduced in 1968 and quickly became a popular toy among children. The small, die-cast cars were designed to look like real-life vehicles and could be played with on their own or used in conjunction with Hot Wheels tracks and accessories. The unique design and fun playability of Hot Wheels cars made them a must-have toy for children in the 60s and 70s.

Hot Wheels Cars @smallcarlist / Twitter

Today, Hot Wheels cars are still a popular toy among children and collectors. The brand has expanded to include a wide range of vehicles and accessories, and new collections are released regularly. The enduring popularity of Hot Wheels cars can be attributed to the high level of detail and quality, as well as the fun and creative play opportunities they offer.

Made By: Mattel Inc.
Avg. Cost: $100*
Est. Value Today: N/A

The Barbie Dream House was a popular toy for girls in the 1960s and beyond. It was a three-story playhouse designed to look like a modern home and was marketed as a dream home for Barbie dolls. The house was designed with multiple rooms and furniture, allowing girls to use their imaginations and play out various scenarios and stories with their dolls.

Barbie Dream House @Deez Cabbies, Dolls, and Toys / YouTube

Over the years, the Barbie Dream House has undergone several redesigns and updates to keep up with changing trends and styles, but it remains a popular toy for young girls. The Barbie Dream House continues to inspire creativity and imagination in young girls, and is now a staple of many childhood memories.

Made By: Mattel
Avg. Cost: $25-$50*
Est. Value Today: $300-$1,500*

Chatty Cathy is a series of talking dolls that were introduced in the 60s. These dolls are characterized by their ability to speak a variety of phrases when a button on their stomach is pressed.

Chatty Cathy @baiernikolich/Pinterest

Chatty Cathy dolls were a popular choice for children in the 60s and 70s, and they enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the 90s. While they might not be as popular as they once were, Chatty Cathy dolls are still a beloved and iconic toy for many people.

Made By: Binney & Smith, Inc.
Avg. Cost: $1
Est. Value Today: $25+

Silly Putty was first introduced in 1950 as a children’s toy and quickly became a popular item in the 1960s. The squishy, bouncy material was fun to play with and could be molded into different shapes and designs. Silly Putty was also known for its ability to pick up and transfer images from comic strips and newspaper print, making it a fun and interactive toy for kids.

Silly Putty @buzzfeed / Pinterest

Today, Silly Putty is still available and remains a popular toy for children. However, it has faced increased competition from other types of putty and squishy toys. Despite this, the unique properties of Silly Putty and its nostalgic appeal continue to make it a popular choice for kids and adults alike.

Made By: The Fizzies Company
Avg. Cost: $0.25-$0.50*
Est. Value Today: $70-$100*

Fizzies were a popular drink mix in the 60s that were designed to be mixed with water to create a flavored and carbonated drink. These drink mixes were available in a variety of flavors, including cherry, lemon-lime, and root beer.

Fizzies @Nostalgia and Memories/Facebook

Fizzies were marketed as a healthy alternative to soda and were often used as a way to help children stay hydrated. While they might not be as popular as they once were, Fizzies are still a beloved and iconic drink mix for many people.

Made By: Jell-O
Avg. Cost: $0.50-$1.00*
Est. Value Today:  $50*

Celery-flavored Jell-O may sound like an unusual and questionable flavor choice, but in the 60s, it was a popular choice for many people. This Jell-O flavor was likely chosen as a way to incorporate more vegetables into desserts, as Jell-O was often seen as a healthier alternative to other sweets.

Celery-Flavored Jell-O @WorthPoint/Pinterest

Unfortunately, celery-flavored Jell-O did not catch on in the same way as other Jell-O flavors, and it is now a rare and hard-to-find flavor. While it may not be as popular as other Jell-O flavors, celery-flavored Jell-O remains a unique and iconic part of the Jell-O brand’s history.

Made By: Kenner Products
Avg. Cost: $10-$15*
Est. Value Today: $100-$200* (vintage, unopened)

Stretch Armstrong was a popular toy, known for its ability to stretch and bounce back to its original shape. Made of a stretchy, jelly-like substance enclosed in a plastic frame, this toy allowed children to use their imagination and engage in imaginative play. Children could stretch it as far as they could, and it would always bounce back to its original shape.

Stretch Armstrong ©Alex Beattie / Wikimedia Commons

Despite its popularity, Stretch Armstrong’s success was short-lived. However, the toy has since been re-released and remains popular among nostalgia-seekers and collectors. Newer versions of the toy feature updated materials and designs, but its classic stretchy, jelly-like substance remains a beloved feature for those who remember playing with it as children.

Made By: Fisher Price
Avg. Cost: $2-$5*
Est. Value Today: $10-$50* (vintage sets)

Fisher Price Little People was a popular toy line in the 1950s-1960s, featuring a small cast of plastic figures and playsets that encouraged imaginative play. Designed for young children, these toys were meant to help develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The Little People figures were easy to grasp and hold, and the playsets were designed to be simple and straightforward, making them ideal for young children who were just starting to play with toys.

Fisher Price Little People @popscreen / Pinterest

Despite their simple design, Fisher Price Little People toys were popular for many decades, and they remain popular today, both with collectors and with young children who enjoy imaginative play. The line has been updated over the years, with new playsets and figures being introduced, but the core design remains the same, and the toys continue to be popular among young children.

Made By: Tecnica
Avg. Cost: $15*
Est. Value Today: $145*

The Moon Boot has become an iconic fashion staple from the 1960s, with their modern look and quirky style. They were created by the Italian brand Tecnica and quickly became popular around the world for their durability and space-inspired design.

Moon Shoes @u/ILoveTheDarknessBand / Reddit

The original designs featured an inflatable ankle-high nylon upper with a lightweight EVA foam sole and non-slip rubber traction on the sole for comfort and durability.

Made By: Rolodex Corporation
Avg. Cost: $20-$50*
Est. Value Today: $50-$100*

The Rolodex was a popular tool for organizing contacts in the 60s. It was a rotating file that held cards with contact information, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers. The Rolodex was widely used by businesses, salespeople, and professionals to keep track of their contacts.

Rolodex @BrentonBrian /Twitter

However, with the advent of personal computers and electronic organizers in the 80s and 90s, the Rolodex became less popular. Today, most people store their contacts digitally on their computers, smartphones, or cloud-based systems. While the Rolodex may seem outdated and cumbersome compared to modern technology, it was a revolutionary tool in its time and played an important role in helping people stay organized and connected. Despite being phased out by newer technologies, the Rolodex remains a fondly remembered and nostalgic piece of office equipment.

Made By: Various manufacturers
Avg. Cost: $10-$20*
Est. Value Today: $10-$30*

Army Men play sets were a popular toy for boys in the 60s. The sets consisted of plastic army soldiers and accessories, such as weapons and vehicles, that could be used to stage battles and reenact military scenarios. Army men play sets appealed to young boys’ love of adventure and their imaginative play, allowing them to create their own stories and engage in creative play.

Army Men Play Set @csecundus / Pinterest

Although army men play sets are not as popular today, they are still widely available and can be found in most toy stores.

Made By: Mattel
Avg. Cost: $10*
Est. Value Today: N/A

Ken Doll is a popular male fashion doll introduced by Mattel in 1961 as the boyfriend of the iconic Barbie Doll. Over the years, Ken Doll has become a cultural icon and is recognized all over the world as one of the most famous male dolls ever made. Ken Doll has undergone numerous transformations to keep up with changing fashion and cultural trends, and he has been released in a variety of ethnicities, professions, and outfits.

Ken Doll @Melsretrospot / Etsy

While Ken Doll has always been popular among young girls and collectors, his popularity has waned in recent years as more diverse and inclusive toy options have become available. Nevertheless, he remains a beloved and iconic toy, and is still widely recognized and remembered as an important part of toy history. 

Made By: Various manufacturers
Avg. Cost: $15*
Est. Value Today: N/A

Suzy Homemaker was a popular toy line that was marketed to young girls in the 1960s and 1970s. The toy line included miniature kitchen appliances, such as a stove, oven, refrigerator, and sink, as well as play food and utensils. The goal of Suzy Homemaker was to encourage young girls to play and imagine themselves in traditional domestic roles.

Suzy Homemaker @lindahubbardart /Twitter

Although the toy line was popular in its day, it has since been criticized for promoting gender stereotypes and limiting the imagination of young girls. Today, many toy companies are actively working to create toys that are more inclusive and empowering for all children, regardless of gender.