25 Gifts Kids Unwrapped in the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s

Electric racecars on plastic tracks became the ultimate living-room competition. Kids customized layouts, timed laps, and occasionally launched cars straight off the track. The sound of buzzing motors became a holiday soundtrack in many homes. Slot cars created high-speed drama before video games existed — and they made every kid feel like a professional racer, even when the cars spun out constantly.