From the View Master to Lincoln Logs to Barbie dolls, an exhibit featuring Iowans’ playthings from yesterday opens this week at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Jeff Morgan, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, says the display “Kid Stuff: Great Toys From Our Childhood” includes more than 200 vintage items like Mister Potato Head, the Magic Eight Ball and a Spirograph.

Morgan says “These are toys our parents and grandparents grew up with in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, many of which are still available today. The interesting thing about this exhibit is that parents and grandparents can bring their children and grandchildren in and re-live childhood memories and share their experiences they had playing with these toys.” He says some of the more rare and valuable toys will be behind glass, but not all of them. Morgan says the appeal spans several generations.

Morgan says “Visitors to the exhibit will actually be able to pick up and play with some of the toys. We have a whole bunch of activities scheduled to happen in conjunction with the exhibit. It’s going to be a good time for kids of all ages to come in and see what toys were like way back when mom and dad and their grandparents were children.”

Those upcoming events include: a pajama party on Saturday night (Oct 7) and an Easy Bake Oven cooking contest on November 17th. The exhibit also features a Hot Wheels racing game, an ant farm and the game of Twister.

Morgan says the list of toys includes: Tinkertoys, Tonkas, Colorforms, Cooties, Raggedy Ann dolls, Radio Flyer wagons, yo-yos and more. The exhibit will be open through January 7th. For more information, call (515) 281-5111 or surf to “www.iowahistory.org”.

Related web sites:
State Historical Society