When I was a kid, I loved playing with creative toys. I’d spend hours modelling figures out of Plasticine, and I’d beg my beg sister to let me have a go on her Spirograph. Creative play is a great way inspire inventive thinking, which is why I encourage it in my own children.
I was incredibly excited to receive a parcel containing some throwback brands that took me right back to my youth. Although some of the sets in the package contained modern updates, I was still filled with a lovely feeling of nostalgia when I saw the brands that occupied so much of my youth.
Keep reading if you love a throwback. If you grew up in the 80’s or 90’s, I just know these brands will take you back to the letters you wrote to Santa. Here’s what we got.
Mr Frosty the Ice Crunchy Maker
I’m pretty certain everyone had a Mr Frosty on their Christmas list in the 90’s. I mean, who doesn’t want to make tasty ice treats at home?
He looks exactly like he did on the TV ads of my youth and easy to operate when making frosty snacks. We rather enjoyed making ice lollies when we got him. There’s something incredibly exciting about picking your own flavour and waiting for the freezer to do its job.
They turn any fruity juice flavour into lollies or sweet icy treats. You can make ice cubes for drinks, or crush them inside the friendly snowman himself to make slush-like texture. Fill the penguin with fruit juice to flavour your ice or eat it as is!
We poured a tropical drink into the lolly maker and loved being able to eat a tasty ice lolly each a few hours later.
Buy your own Mr Frosty from Smyth’s Toys RRP £17.99.
Plasticine Movie Maker
The Plasticine Movie Maker is a kit that allows you to make stop-motion movie. If we’d had something like this when I was a kid, I wouldn’t have played with anything else!
The kit contains some blocks of Plasticine to create characters and lots of accessories to give them style and personality. There’s also a small studio with changeable backdrops, a phone stand and an app to download to make the whole thing work.
The free app takes the photos and animates them for a fun end result. We made this movie that I’m proud of for a first attempt, then we made about a million more!
Buy your own Plasticine Movie Maker kit from Amazon RRP £9.99.
Plasticine Softeez Noodle Doodle
These thin, soft strips of Plasticine allow you to ‘colour’ an image or create new designs. In each pack are some cards that need some colour adding.
Follow the lines with your Plasticine noodle to add colour and texture to your pictures with a fun end result!
Greg had a little bit of help to create this lovely picture of a seahorse!
Plasticine Toolbox
The Plasticine Toolbox is perfect for any Plasticine modelling enthusiasts. Inside are lots of different colours of modelling clay, plus some tools and shape cutters to help you create interesting scenes. We enjoyed using this alongside the movie maker, so if you have both, you’ll be able to create all sorts!
Get your Plasticine Toolbox from Amazon RRP £6.99.
The Original Spirograph Deluxe Set
My bug sister had a Spirograph like this when I was little, and I was endlessly envious. I’ve had great fun playing with ours with my daughter.
This is a classic way to create countless designs, but we’ve definitely found a certain skill is required. We’ve been practising but it’s important to learn how to use it, before creating your own designs.
In each kit are some really technical-looking drawing tools and three coloured pens. It also comes with reusable putty and a durable case to keep your Spiro tools safe.
Experimenting with a Spirograph is a really therapeutic pastime and watching it go is intensely mesmerising.
Buy your own Spirograph Deluxe Set from Argos RRP £28.00
The Original Spirograph Scratch & Shimmer Set
This is a Spirograph with a twist! Instead of drawing your colour on, you’re scratching off the black coating to uncover a holographic layer below!
Creating beautiful and interesting designs has never been so easy. Just like the traditional Spirograph, these are very therapeutic and have gorgeous end results!
Buy your own Original Spirograph Scratch & Shimmer Set from Argos RRP £20.00