Traditional British Toys

If I could edit my post about the black sambo money box and the Whitby shop owner, I would stress I found her attitude pretty shocking. I wouldn't have bought anything in her establishment.

I agree, nothing quite like a much loved Teddy bear. My bear is 68 and safely wrapped up in the attic. He was pristine until his early fifties, when my dog ate his nose off. He had a bit of a repair job but something was lost.
I'm a big fan of push along trucks containing wooden bricks, such a versatile toy.

I expect my dear golly got thrown out! He was probably falling to bits anyway and DM was a great thrower-out, although I did rescue my dilapidated teddy bear who is in need of a makeover.

Teddies are very traditional and absolutely essential.

Jalima, I saw a original black sambo money box for sale, in an antique/vintage shop this weekend.
My sister still has the gollywog doll grannie knitted for her in 1960 when sister was two years old. Golly went on holiday with the family for years. He is confined to a cupboard these days, my sister recognises he is no longer acceptable but understandably, he hasn't been ditched.
There is a gift shop in Whitby which sells various trinkets but many gollywog dolls and ornaments, the shop owner takes pride if she's challenged by what she describes as 'politically correct lefties'. A couple of years ago I heard her describing to a customer, how a black man had told her he found the dolls offensive. When asked by her if he thought the gollywog looked like him, he said 'no'. There, she said, how could he possibly be offended.

And a shape sorter - fun and educational.

I just checked, you can buy the dog still but it looks a bit different now.

Ours was a hand-me-down from some friends but I am sure you can still buy them.
Unfortunately his tail has been docked!

Mine have all loved their wooden Snoopy Dog by Fisher Price my DS had his since he was a baby and he is 40+ it is now used by GGD the pull along string has been been replaced a few times but what joy Snoopy has brought over the years.I'm sure you can still buy him.

My DH makes them, and very nice they are too.

I doubt that you could buy one these days Iam64!
Nor a golliwog! but oh, how I loved mine, he had grey rabbit fur for hair, so must have been an elderly dolly.

It all depends on what is meant by 'tradition' - my DGC loved the pull-along telephone from Fisher Price and DGD2 still likes pulling along the FP dog.

I think wooden blocks are the best toys ever. My GS is 4. He plays with the wooden blocks that his granddad and dad played with.

'Traditional British toys' are often more attractive to the parents and grandparents than they are to the baby and toddler. They prefer brightly coloured things - with wheels! However, if you want to find a wooden set, then a Brio railway set can't be beaten. Rolling stock and extra rails can be added for years to come. Dads like playing with them too.

I'm sorry to grumble on such a happy thread but I keep coming back to the suggestion that a black sambo money box could be a suitable gift.

Spinning tops, kaleidoscopes, wooden trains and bricks yes. Toys with racism running through them surely not.

Are you going again or do you have to post them Juney?

That could double the cost!

Surely you're not buying all these for his first birthday? How will you get them there?

Well, I am a bit puzzled, as 'traditional toys from my childhood' are a bit different from 'traditional toys from my DC's childhood' although spinning tops seemed to stand the test of time.

I think Melissa and Doug do a range of traditional wooden toys if that is what you are looking for. The trolley full of bricks is a good idea.
Some charity shops (Sue Ryder?) sell wooden toys such as abacus, pegs and hammer etc, all brand new and boxed.

Of course, my 30-40 year old DC would say that toys such as the Fisher Price garage, airport, house etc were what they loved too.

What about a wooden bead abacus? My DC had one and we bought one for DGD when she was very small, she loved it.

Hilda my small DGS has one of those, he lets me have a go......cor, what fun!!

Put not out sorry

Stacking circles and stacking cups, the first builds in order on a stick on a stand and the cups come in size order and can be stacked like a tower or out one inside the other. Little wooden trike without pedals or a small rocking horse seat. Simple lift out wooden puzzles. Fisher Price pull along telephone one and circus train. These are all great for the age he is now .

Oh the other one that's a favourite still......is a sturdy wooden 'work bench' that comes with different coloured wooden cylinders that you bang into holes.....something about it is still popular....as they get older I think its more of a stress thing....being allowed to bang something as hard as they can! Seriously though, when they were 18months onwards it was a very popular toy.

A xylophone?

Good quality wooden building bricks. I bought a set when GS was born and we keep them here for visits. GS is now 8 and GD is 5....they still get them out, build towers and weird buildings....keeps them busy for ages.

What about a Brio train set? Chunky wooden sections of track to slot together and bright little wooden engines and carriages.

Oh I'd forgotten about Tonka trucks annodomini. My lads had them when they were young - maybe not as young as one but that's 'filed' for a year or two down the road.

ninathenana the building block trolley is certainly very traditional. I'll have a look around for one. Galen's right - they're a great walking aid and my GS is just at the stage where he's starting to 'hover' - bless him.