How to Select Vintage Children's Toys
Vintage toys take children back to a time when toys were made by hand and had unique character. Vintage toys make special gifts for an adult who is still a child at heart. They are perfect for an old-fashioned nursery design. When you select vintage toys, keep in mind their historical and playtime value.
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Instructions
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Where to Find Vintage Toys
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Search for vintage toys online at auction sites like eBay (see Resources below). Do a search for "antique," "collectible" and "vintage" toys to find results.
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Shop at a thrift store. Find thrift stores in your phone book, or search online for second hand stores carrying children's vintage products in your area.
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Find children's vintage specialty stores online for a large selection of rare toys in one place. The Vintage-toys website is an example of an online boutique specializing in vintage toy items (see Resources below).
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Research the inventory at antique shops in your area. Call local antique dealers and inquire about their vintage toy selections. Visit dealers that have a large vintage collection to select from.
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Look for flea markets and outdoor markets with several vendors. Markets offer collectors of vintage toys the opportunity to browse many potential dealers at one time.
Select Quality Vintage Toys
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Add historical charm to an outdoor activity area with children's games from years past. Old-fashioned horseshoe and cricket games are unique and can occupy older children and adults well.
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Capture the fun of old-fashioned animation with puzzles and games from past decades. Classic Disney and Looney Tunes characters are popular vintage themes for collectible toys.
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Buy wall decorations for the nursery or playroom to add a vintage feel. Children's wall hangings from 1950 to 1970 are a popular way to enhance a classic toy room.
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Choose hand crafted wooden toys. Vintage toys that have only been stained and never painted can appear to be brand new even after years of use.
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Get your favorite games of skill like checkers and chess in the vintage version. Games that have been played throughout many eras can often be found made from wood, marble and even glass.
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Have fun with old metal toys made out of tin and steel. Vintage toys make a unique gift for a baby shower or special children's themed occasion.
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Tips & Warnings
Check any vintage purchase carefully for damage before purchasing. The best vintage acquisitions will come in the original packaging or be in mint condition.
Carefully inspect any antique or vintage toy before giving it to a very young child. Safety standards were much different in the "olden days" than they are today, and many older toys include small parts or other dangers.
