| on 27-11-2007 14:31 |
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 T he Cabbage Patch Kids are skate punks. Strawberry Shortcake is wearing fitted jeans. And your Monopoly game piece might be a Starbucks cup.
Some favorite toys from the 1980s have gotten 21st-century updates as kids who grew up playing with the iconic toys are having babies of their own. Boomer-era grandparents can also get nostalgic, with Legos designed for imaginary trips to Mars and an Etch-A-Sketch for the mobile phone. The desire to share favorite playthings with a new generation may be driving a trend of classic toys resurging on the market, but “nostalgia will only get you so far,” said toy analyst Chris Byrne. “The brands have to keep revitalizing and revamping to be relevant to today’s kids.” Here’s a look at some oldies-but-goodies that have been updated for the kids of 2007.
Cabbage Patch Kids ■ 1983: The ideal tag-along buddies. Each doll was unique and came with its own birth certificate and backstory. < 2007: The one-of-a kind dolls are hipper and have moved ahead in their interests. “A doll today might carry a skateboard as opposed to skates,” said Al Khan, CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. Also available are Lil’ Sprouts, 4-inch dolls that come with playsets allowing them to attend parties or ride ponies.
Etch-A-Sketch ■ 1960: The simple screen with two knobs allowed budding artists to take a gray line in the direction of their choosing. The toy was invented by a French factory worker. ■ 2007: Color versions, a “plug-and-play” screen with a hand-held controller and screens in heart-shaped containers are a few of the newer incarnations of Etch-A-Sketch, which will also be coming out with in a mobile version for cell phones.
Transformers > 1984: One of the first two-in-one toys, the car-turned-robot action figures were “more than meets the eye.” ■ 2007: The recent Paramount movie pushed the shape-shifting robots back into the public imagination, although the toys have had an ardent fan base for 25 years, said Hasbro spokeswoman Audrey Desimone. The new robots have a modern design flair and transform into cars that could be seen racing down the highway today.
My Little Pony ■ 1983: The original six pastel ponies frolicked their way into the little girls’ hearts. > 2007: The herd has grown to dozens of named ponies in an updated color palate and modern-themed playsets.
Lego < 1949: Rectangle and square interlocking blocks let young architects build their dream structures. Smashing them afterward was always part of the fun. ■ 2007: Most every cultural and historical phenomenon has made its way into Lego form, including this year’s relaunch of the Space line, now as Mars Mission. This season the classic line of homes, vehicles and animals is back, albeit with motors and sensors.
Strawberry Shortcake > 1980: The fresh-faced girl with a wardrobe that spans the spectrum from rose to fuchsia lived with her confectionarily christened friends in the fanciful Strawberryland. ■ 2007: “The attributes that make her Strawberry Shortcake, innocence and empowerment to little girls, are timeless,” said Tamara Knepfer of American Greetings. It’s just that now, she’s more likely to be wearing a pair of fitted jeans with a sweat shirt around her waist than a knee-length dress of patterned fabric.
Barbie
1959 (left): Barbie was introduced to the nation as a teenage fashion model sporting a ponytail, black-and-white bathing suit and full line of fashion accessories.Recommend this article...
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