1. Blocks
   Pacifier
2. Pack n' Play
   Crib

The patent for the original pacifier came about in 1901, known as "a new and original Design for a Baby Comforter." But for centuries before that, people had been using a variety of objects to soothe a baby. From knotted rags to beads, bone, and coral, babies have had a wealth of objects from which to choose. Despite the popularity of pacifiers, the new invention didn't come without its naysayers. Everything from thickening of the tongue to deformed mouth, and even scoliosis, were accusations of what would happen to a baby. The accusations never came true and to this day, millions of babies are eased to sleep by sucking​ a pacifier.

1. TIGER Games
   Game Boy
2. Turbo Express
   Atari Lynx

Tiger Games was one of the first companies to produce a handheld LED device for game playing. Each one had a theme, such as WWF or G.I. Joe.

1. Sippy cups
   Diaper Pail
2. Blocks
   Safety gates

In 1693, English philosopher, John Locke, noted that blocks with letters on them would make learning the alphabet fun for children. This is one of the first mentions of blocks as play things. Tell that to a baby looking to test out his new chompers. Babies use their mouths as sensory devices to taste, feel and understand objects. A block is just another of a long list of items for babies to soothe and play with. In many ways, a block is a baby's best friend.

1. Strawberry Shortcake
   Cabbage Patch Kids
2. Garbage Pail Kids
   Troll Dolls

First created by a Danish woodworker, Thomas Dam, Troll Dolls were best known for their brightly colored, tufty hair. They also had dark alien eyes and plastic bodies.

1. Cabbage Patch Kids
   Fluppy Dogs
2. Glo Worms
   The Heart Family

Christmas 1983 proved to be a nightmare for some parents. They simply had waited too long to buy their children the latest toy phenomenon, the Cabbage Patch Kids. By the time 1984 rolled along, around 3 million of these dolls had been sold. Each doll is unique, and the fact that each came with its own birth certificate and name, they still remain popular today.

1. Bottle
   Bassinet
2. Soft hooded towels
   Outlet cover

Baby bottles are a great way to feed a baby when the mom is not around, or when breast feeding is difficult. While the first patented bottles came around in the 1840s, there is evidence dating back to the earliest recorded times of urns and other materials that were used to feed babies. From wood and ceramic urns to cow teats filled with cloth, bottle feeding has been essential for thousands of years.

1. Mecanno
   Lego
2. Nanoblocks
   Contraptions

Lego certainly was one of the most popular toys of the decade. The 1980s also saw an explosion in the number of sets available and all the objects, vehicles and other construction gadgets for creative little minds.

1. Toe nail clippers
   Burp Cloth
2. Rocking chair
   Bottle brush

If you've ever held a baby, you've likely come across their primary weapon - sharp nails. Few parents ever escape the scratches and often bloody bouts of cuddling and diaper changes. Baby finger and toe-nail clippers are smaller and usually covered in a safe and soft plastic coating to protect the baby from being cut or injured from a dropped clipper.

1. Army Men
   Fisher Price Farm
2. Pillow Pals
   Doodle Bear

Although they have been around since 1938, Army Men certainly never go out of fashion. By the ‘80s they were no longer just based on World War II. Other Army men sets included the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

1. Burp Cloth
   Teething toys
2. Wearable blankets
   Mobile

Teething toys have been around as long as history has been recorded. Teething toys are used to soothe a child's achy mouth while teething. When a baby gnaws on the toy, the gnawing action helps to carefully open up the skin around the emerging tooth. Many teething toys are filled with a gel that can be refrigerated and provides a cooling and numbing sensation for babies as they play with the teether.

1. Puffalump
   Teddy Ruxpin
2. Care Bears
   Baby Furskin

Care Bears were introduced to the world in 1981. These cute, cuddly furry bears originally appeared on greeting cards. A toy line followed in 1982. They were an immediate hit and quickly starred in their own television special in 1983 and eventually, a cartoon series. These toys are still highly popular today.

1. Changing table
   Baby swing
2. Bassinet
   Nasal aspirator

Babies come with all sorts of fun things, such as saliva, poop, spit-up and, of course, mucus. Nasal aspirators help to clear out a baby's nostrils from liquid and hardened mucus. Aspirators come in several varieties, including manual and electric.

1. Transformers
   Star Wars Figurines
2. Star Trek Figurines
   G.I. Joe

Transformers originated in Japan in the early 1980s. They were quickly snapped up by Hasbro who bought the rights to produce them in the United States where they exploded in popularity, so much so that a cartoon TV series followed. Transformers are today one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood.

1. Sippy cups
   Bottle brush
2. Bottle
   Teething toys

Baby bottles are great when a baby is feeding from mom's breast and up through the first year. But as a babies develop, it is smart to introduce sippy cups to their repertoire. The sippy cup acts as a middle ground between the bottle and drinking from an open-face cup. They are designed to give a baby the control of motion to eventually drink from a cup.

1. Care Bears
   Popples
2. My Little Pony
   Wuzzles

A popular girls toy in the 1980s, not only were My Little Pony dolls cute as buttons, but you could even style their hair with their own mini comb. Their success led to a TV series as well as films.

1. Diaper Bag
   Formula
2. Baby spoon
   Pull-ups

Baby spoons are the perfect size for little mouths. What separates a baby spoon from an adult spoon, aside from size, is the protective plastic coating on the baby spoon which helps protect a baby's mouth.

1. Lincoln Logs
   My little Playhouse
2. Meccano
   Lego

A favorite for many decades, including the '80s, Lincoln Logs were perfect for those kids who loved to construct things. By the '80s, they were plastic instead of wood. That all changed by the end of the decade as they returned to their traditional wood finish.

1. Thermometer
   Bottle nipple
2. Toe nail clippers
   Bottle brush

It is important for parents to remember that as a baby grows, their entire body and system functions are growing a learning together. From contracting colds from other children to shoving disgusting things in their mouths, babies are factories preparing to collect disease. One of the best ways to monitor a cold or other health issue is to have a baby thermometer handy. Thermometers can be used in any warm area of the body, such as mouth, underarms​ and even that cute toosh.

1. Woody
   Mr. Potato Head
2. Slinky
   Buzz Lightyear

Around since 1949, the 1980s saw Mr. Potato Head rise in popularity once again, so much so that he appeared in his first TV movie. Hasbro also introduced fewer parts for each toy during the decade.

1. Armatron
   Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots
2. Bash
   Power Jeep

Released in the '60s, these fighting robots were constantly updated throughout the decades. They remained an extremely popular toy throughout the 1980s and were loved by children around the world.

1. Car seat
   Crib
2. Crib sheets
   Outlet cover

Making a house baby-safe is a priority for most parents. The first place many parents think of are the electrical outlets, which tend to be within reach of a crawling child. While modern outlets have safety systems to protect children from inadvertent electrocution, it is still a good idea to invest those couple of dollars to plug the outlets.

1. Micro Machines
   Dinky Toys
2. Hot Wheels
   Scalectrix

A product of Galoob, Micro Machines were extremely small vehicles that became popular in the 1980s. Vehicles included cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, monster trucks and even Star Wars and Star Trek vehicles. A range of playsets could also be purchased.

1. Soft baby books
   Toe nail clippers
2. Bibs
   Burp Cloth

As a new parent, you may be all gung-ho about reading to your newborn. But don't freak out if your child prefers to eat the pages as opposed to listening to your calming words. Baby books come with flexible and soft plastic pages that can endure the destruction of a gnawing baby and baby teeth.

1. Guitar
   Marching Band Set
2. Boglins
   Drum Set

No '80s toy collection was complete without a marching band set. Not only could you and your friends march up and down in the backyard but you could annoy your parents as well!

1. Lego
   Power Rangers
2. He-Man
   Ninja Turtles Vehicles/Playsets

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles worked together to stop evil Shredder. Over a shared love of pizza, the Ninja Turtles would stop at nothing to beat their enemies!

1. Tonka Trucks
   Hot Wheels
2. Dinky Toys
   Micro Machines

Built to a 1:64 scale, most boys growing up in the 1980s had a set of Hot Wheels of some type or another. The decade saw some incredible sets released, including Real Riders (with proper rubber tires), Color Change Paint Hot Wheels, as well as vehicles with crash panels.

1. Strawberry Shortcake
   Tiny Tears
2. Polly Pocket
   Sylvanian Families

A firm favorite through the '90s, Polly Pocket came with hundreds of accessories and different play sets. Multiple dolls were also available.

1. GI Joe
   Star Wars Figurines
2. Star Trek Figurines
   Transformers

With a cartoon series and a range of figurines, GI Joe became a popular toy for boys in the '80s. The toys were originally released in the ‘60s, but a rebranding in 1982, as well as the release of elaborate playsets, saw their popularity soar significantly.

1. Drawing Buddy
   My First TV
2. Etch-a-Sketch Animator
   Magna Doodle

Etch-a-Sketch had been around for three decades before the Animator was released in 1986. This worked on exactly the same principles but featured a dot matrix display. The Animator could store 12 pictures.

1. Polly Pocket
   Beanie Babies
2. Popples
   Care Bears

Hugely collectible, Beanie Babies came in all manner of creatures including bears, cats and dogs. The stuffing wasn't really beans, of course.

1. Space Shades
   My Little Cinema
2. View Master
   Mr Picture

Introduced in 1939, the View Master had been a toy box standard by the time the 1980s rolled along. Now, however, a talking version hit the shelves which added sound to each picture viewed.

1. Slap Bands
   Laser pointers
2. Bop It
   Yoyo

Arguably the most dangerous toy of the nineties, many people believed that this toy could blind people if shined directly into their eyes. It was soon banned in most schools!

1. Spirograph
   Lite Brite
2. Etch-A-Sketch
   Magna Doodle

Other than the pegs hurting as much as Lego blocks when stood on, Lite Brite was a brilliant concept. It allowed children to produce art by placing small plastic pegs along an outline on black paper. With a light shining from behind, this produced art. Popular Lite Brite art in the ‘80s included Mr. Potato Head and Darth Vader.

1. Trolls
   Koosh Balls
2. Pom-Poms
   Stress Balls

These squeezable balls were a firm favorite, due to their unique texture and bright colors.

1. Care Bears
   The Muppet
2. Sesame Street
   The Gummi Bears

In the ‘80s, a range of Sesame Street toys were available. These included plush toys, books and Poppin’ Pals toddler toys.

1. Furby
   Tickle Me Elmo
2. Popple
   Glow worm

Tickle Me Elmo is a replica of the adorable fuzzy character from Sesame Street. He laughs when you tickle him!

1. Tonka Trucks
   Mini Racers
2. Hot Wheels
   Micro Machines

Popular since the 1940s, a range of sturdy Tonka Trucks were added to this collection in the 1980s. These included the Mighty series (including a bulldozer, wrecker and), vans, off-road buggies, Winnebago’s and pick-ups.

1. Action Man
   Spider-Man
2. He-Man: Masters of the Universe Toy Line
   Power Rangers

Made popular by the cartoon show, He-Man was hugely sought after in the '80s and '90s.

1. Star Trek Figurines
   Star Wars Figurines
2. Transformers
   G.I. Joe

Although Star Wars toys had been around since the late 1970s, two new movies, "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "The Return of the Jedi" (1983) saw a range of new toys, vehicles and spaceships hit the market in the ‘80s. The range of merchandise was simply incredible, but it’s the toys that every little boy wanted to get their hands on. Today, some are worth astronomical figures, so be sure to check your attic for your old collection.

1. Pogo
   Sticky Hands
2. Hacky Sacks
   Slinky

Every cool kid had sticky hands - brightly colored hands on sticky strings that stretched to pick up small, light objects.

1. X-Men Toys
   Power Rangers
2. Ninja Turtles
   He-Man

These figurines were based on characters from the popular "X-Men" comics, published by Marvel. They were created and led by Professor X, born Charles Francis Xavier.

1. Easy-Bake Oven
   Mousetrap
2. Play-Doh
   Ideal Printing Press

Originally advertised as wallpaper cleaner, Play-Doh was soon on every kid's shelf as a modeling toy. It originally was advertised to children in the 1950s, with big growth in the 1960s. It is still sold today.

1. Jurassic Park Dino Damage Toys
   Flintstones Toys
2. Dungeons and Dragons
   Thundercats Toys

These dinosaur toys with a difference came with battle scars and open wounds from their battles! Heal them in the Dino-Damage Medical Center.

1. Spirograph
   Slinky
2. Lego
   Viewmaster

Who didn't own and destroy a slinky as a child. A slinky is simply a helical spring, but with its mesmerizing movement, it became a popular toy with children.

1. Lazer Tag
   Super Soakers
2. Nerf Blaster

By using air pressure, this water gun shoots faster and further than any other, making it every kid's favourite weapon!

1. James Bond Board Game
   Monopoly
2. Candyland Board Game
   Ideal Printing Press

Monopoly was first invented in 1903 to demonstrate how economics works with few restrictions. But it wasn't until 1935 that Parker Brothers published the game. It unwittingly become the reason for millions of family squabbles of the next century. The game is so loved that as of early 2017, there have been over 300 versions.

1. Power Wheels
   Micro Machines
2. Barbie Car
   Go Kart

Power Wheels were aimed at the two- to five-year-old market. These ride-on cars allowed kids to get a taste for driving.

1. Candyland Board Game
   The Beatles Board Game
2. James Bond Board Game
   Aerobat Fun Children's Exercise

Has a board game ever been more delicious? Candyland was the game that really launched Milton Bradley into the board game phenomenon. The game was Milton Bradley's bestseller and put them on the map alongside Parker Brothers. The game is still very popular today.

1. Pop-Up Pirate
   Don't Tip The Waiter
2. Operation
   Perfection

Perfection was a game played against the clock. The aim was to get all 25 of your pieces in the right places on your tray before the time ran out. Fail, and your pieces were ejected!

1. Sindy
   Bratz Dolls
2. Baby All Gone
   Barbies

Barbie dolls, made by Mattel, are probably the most popular doll in the world. Don't forget to get your Barbie a Ken doll and a whole host of accessories, including evening gowns and a Dreamhouse!