You wouldn't think that in 2024 you could find Lincoln Logs, balsa wood gliders, Etch-A-Sketches, and the Magic Eight Ball in a major toy store.
But such classic toys are not just still available, they're popular choices for parents, grandparents, and kids, especially around the holidays, according to the owner of Langley's largest independent toy store.
"The traditional things again are really big," said Matthew Purdy of Toy Traders.
His own daughter is a big fan of the Magic Eight Ball – except when it gives her an answer she doesn't like, he noted.
One factor is that parents and grandparents are often driven by nostalgia when buying for the younger generation around Christmas, and they often reach back to items they fondly remember from their own childhoods, said Purdy.
"People reminisce during Christmas," he said.
Another factor is that some formerly ubiquitous, cheap toys – like green plastic Army Men – are now made in relatively high quality editions. They're still not expensive, but they're a step up from the versions often seen in dollar stores.
Other items remain hot around the holidays, including anything linked to major fandoms and pop culture phenomena, said Purdy. That means action figures or toys based on the current hot superhero or fantasy movies or TV series.
Some toys and games now seem to be perpetually popular, anything to do with Pokémon, including the tradeable cards.
"Hot Wheels is always steady, LEGO is always steady," he noted. Those toys have both been around for generations, and also continually come out with new kits or variations on the tiny toy vehicles.
Purdy noted that the pandemic seems to have cause a permanent change in some trends in toys and games. When people were cooped up at home during physical distancing, the sales of board games and puzzles boomed.
That boom never really ended. Many families now spend more time at home, rather than going out, and they use that time playing games. A long-running boom in new games for all ages of players has also helped this trend.
This time of year is always a busy period for toy stores, but Purdy is waiting to see what happens after Dec. 15, when a new GST tax break comes into effect. Toys intended for kids up to 14 years old will be sold without the GST temporarily starting on that day, as will all jigsaw puzzles, Purdy noted.
He said he's waiting to see what that means for toy store owners.
"It's going to be really busy," he predicted."
