By 1973, toys were doing more than just keeping kids busy. Educational toys were becoming increasingly popular among babies and toddlers, showing that learning can be as enjoyable as play.
But don’t worry! There were still plenty of toys that were just plain cool. The popular toys of 1973 offered us the best of both worlds: a chance to learn, a reason to imagine, and endless ways to have fun.
1. Fisher Price Activity Center
Every baby had an Activity Center for their crib or playpen in 1973. Packed with knobs to twist, beads to slide, mirrors to poke, and a bell to ring, it turned cribs and playpens into baby command centers. Even older siblings couldn’t resist flipping the spinner on their way past.
2. Sears Baby Toys
Sears noticed the trend toward educational toys for babies and got in on the action. They introduced a whole line of baby toys in 1973, designed to fit the new demand for “developmental” play. These toys were tools to help your baby practice gripping, reaching, stacking, and sorting, all the skills a growing brain needs to learn.
3. Romper Room Learning Toys
Romper Room was a natural brand to jump into the educational toy trend. Their bright, chunky playsets helped toddlers build coordination and problem-solving skills. Just like the TV show, the toys blended learning and fun in a way that felt familiar and friendly.
4. Big Wheel
By 1973, every kid wanted a Big Wheel. With its oversized front wheel and lower-rider seat, the Big Wheel let little kids pretend to be tiny members of a motorcycle gang while helping them get ready for bike riding. This was the 70s, so, of course, there were no brakes.
5. Tonka Lowboy and Trencher-Loader Trucks
Not every toy in 1973 had to be educational. Some were just flat-out fun. The Tonka Lowboy and Trencher-Loader trucks were the ultimate combo for kids who loved digging, hauling, and playing construction boss in the sandbox.
6. Matchbox Vehicle Set
Matchbox’s multi-vehicle sets let you carry your collection in fold-out cases featuring play scenes like cities, farms, and job sites. You had an entire world in your hands, ready to pop open and play wherever you landed.
7. Mod Hair Ken
Ken finally got a well-deserved glow-up in 1973. Mod Hair Ken was the first version of the doll with rooted hair, giving him a groovy, more customizable look. He even came with stick-on facial hair, so you could give him a mustache, a goatee, or a full ’70s beard, depending on the day’s vibe.
8. Shirley Temple Doll
Thanks to TV reruns of her classic films, Shirley Temple was having a full-blown resurgence in 1973. The dolls, which had originally been popular in the 1930s, returned with those same signature curls.
For kids and parents who had grown up with the child star, the doll was a fun, nostalgic visit back to a simpler time.
9. Doll Furniture
In 1973, doll furniture sets were everywhere. The sets featured well-made furniture in baby doll sizes, including tiny cribs with real linens and high chairs with trays.
This was the peak “playing house” era, and kids took it seriously. You could spend an entire afternoon setting up a doll bedroom, rearranging it, then tucking your baby doll in for the night before dragging everything into the living room to do it all over again.
10. Fisher Price Movie Viewer
In a world without tablets and YouTube, the Fisher-Price Movie Viewer gave kids their own mini-movie experience. You inserted a chunky film cartridge, cranked the handle, and watched short loops of cartoons through the little viewfinder.
The movie viewer was surprisingly entertaining, especially since you could rewind, fast-forward, or watch it in slow motion just by changing how you turned the crank.
