Pinterest Says Nostalgic Toys Are Trending — Millennial Parents Were Made for This Moment

My mother-in-law was ahead of the “Throwback Kid” trend and decided to do an "old-fashioned toy" Christmas for my son last year. One of the items she gave him was a Slinky, and he still has so much fun watching it "jump" down the stairs.

I can still remember sitting on the floor of the first home I lived in, on Christmas night, playing with my new Lite-Brite. It was so fun to create the various scenes with the templates, and then proudly display my "artwork." This one is great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Lincoln Logs walked so MagnaTiles could run. This mini log home is easy enough that your kid can build it on their own, but if you want something more challenging then this is another great option.

I have very vivid memories of learning to do Cat's Cradle, Jacob's Ladder, and Witch's Broom with colorful string when I was younger. If you have a kid with busy hands and who likes a challenge, this might be the perfect toy for them!

My husband recently dug out his old Yo-Yo to show our son some of his favorite tricks from his childhood, and it wasn't long after that we had to buy our son his very own Yo-Yo. Now all three of us are doing "Around the World," "Shoot the Moon," and "the Candy Cane" (my kid's own creation).

This was the "it" game at one point when I was growing up. I remember having so much fun trying to keep up with the commands — and how much we'd laugh when someone would inevitably mess up. Bop It! even features in a scene in Gilmore Girls, which really tells you a lot about the toy's cultural currency at the time.

Before Jellycats, Squishmallows, and Labubus, we had Care Bears. These bears go beyond just basic stuffy territory — they each have a unique badge on their belly that conveys a feeling or state of mind. These super-soft plushies are great for starting conversations about empathy and compassion, and for building emotional literacy.

This doll was originally created by the same company that made the Baby All Gone dolls, which I had when I was growing up. I distinctly remember feeding that doll cherries from a little spoon, and being thrilled by the responsibility I felt for taking care of her. These Baby Alive dolls will bring that same level of accomplishment to your kid (and maybe a little bit of disgust from parents), as these babies still "wet" their diapers after you serve them various drinks (in this case, tea).

Core memory unlocked! Because we didn't have pets in my house when I was growing up, I maybe took my Tamagotchi a bit too seriously (I got very upset with my parents when they didn't feed it while I was gone). But I still stand by the sheer fun of a Tamagotchi — and the fact that it's digital, but not online in any way.

These toys are still around today, and for good reason — they're beloved by kids of all ages (over 3). The best part about these cars is that they can be used in so many creative ways. For one example, I know parents love this simple Blu Track racer that is compatible with Matchbox cars and keeps kids entertained for hours.