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

Before he came with a plastic potato body, kids stuck eyes, noses, and mouths into actual potatoes — a fact that still surprises people today. By the ’60s, the toy moved to safer materials, but the charm stayed the same: mix-and-match silliness. Mr. Potato Head felt endlessly customizable, whether he ended up goofy, elegant, or alarmingly lopsided. It was a gift that encouraged creativity… and occasionally nightmares, depending on the part placement.