droolicious : Rock the Retro

Retrolicious: American Retro Army Airplane

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT

It's not the sort of everyday item we'd plunk down for even in a good economy, but if you're looking for a unique birthday gift that'll last for generations, this American Retro Army Airplane seems like a smart buy.

Over 45" long with a 35" wingspan, the plane promises durability through a heavy-gauge steel construction and a non-toxic, chip- and rust-resistant finish. Perhaps its coolest feature, though, is the working propeller, which spins when junior works the pedals -- because yes, it can also zip along for miles on those sturdy, solid-rubber tires.

$399 from Babesta. (Assembly required.)

Finally Beat the Kids at a Game: Retro Duo Video Game System

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Can't find (or afford) a Wii for the family room? Show your kids the fine art of old-school gaming with this Retro Duo Video Game System ($44.99 at Amazon), which plays all those dusty Nintendo and Super Nintendo titles you've had in storage since senior year. You may not get the bells, whistles and wireless action of the Wii, but you'll at least be able to beat the kids at a Mario game for once. [Uncrate]

Rock the Retro: Radio Flyer Big Flyer

Mir — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:01:00 GMT

Remember your red and yellow Big Wheel? Go double vintage with the Big Wheel design done as only Radio Flyer can do it -- red, chrome handlebars, and all. Grab their Big Flyer and get ready for a bit of nostalgia while you watch your kid race around at top speed. Right now it's marked down to $49.99 at Amazon with free shipping, too.

Rock the Retro: Fisher Price School House

chrisjordan — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:14:00 GMT

I played with a little Fisher Price school house exactly like this one when I was a child growing up in the 70's. The original vintage (god, I am old to have played with things that are now considered vintage) school house is for sale at Etsy by Retro Grandma for $49.99. She has several other vintage items listed so check it out.

Rock the Retro: Colorforms are Back, Baby

Mir — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:01:00 GMT

Did you know that Colorforms launched in 1951? It's true. (Also, this just in: We are old. Film at 11.) I remember various character sets being hot back in the 70s when I was into them, but this right here is a replica of the very first set. It requires a little thing called imagination, you see, as rather than licensed characters and decorative backgrounds you get geometric shapes and a blank page. 56 years later and this is still an awesome toy for hours of fun (and nice and quiet, too). $32.99 at Amazon.

Rock the Retro: Holgate Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Trolley

Mir — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:07:00 GMT

It doesn't matter if your little darling has never seen Mr. Rogers change his shoes or feed the fish; this wooden replica of his famed trolley is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. They'll enjoy playing with it, and you'll enjoy the memories. $64.99 at Amazon.

Rock the Retro: Go Buggy for Schylling's Tin Tea Set

Mir — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:01:00 GMT

I had a tin tea set when I was little, and I was delighted to see that Schylling still makes an array of tin sets. This is the summer bug set -- it's not quite as retro-feel as the floral ones, but a nice meeting of old and new sensibility, I think. $13.79 at Amazon.

Rock the Retro: Holiday Overalls For Your Baby Boy

chrisjordan — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:02:00 GMT

Madras plaid should only be worn on babies and golfers. On second thought scratch that, only babies.

The vintage style overalls look like the outfits my husband wore in all of his baby photos, with white knee socks and white shoes. While I don't think you need the socks and shoes, this would look precious on a baby boy for Christmas photos. And think of the leverage you would have with that photo during his teen years.

Hand made it is available at Mary Elizabeth's for $30

Rock the Retro: Wild Thing Jumping Jack

Mir — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:03:00 GMT

You remember jumping jacks, of course, although personally I don't ever remember calling them that. They were just those funny jumpy toys where you pull the cord and their limbs go up and down. With this one from Ceci's Wooden Treasures ($26.50) you can be nostalgic two ways: First, this is the sort of wooden toy that was ubiquitous back when we were little, and second, this one features a Wild Thing from Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. If that doesn't inspire some serious nostalgia, you are dead on the inside.

Rock the Retro and the Christmas Tree

chrisjordan — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:08:00 GMT

Halter pinafore dress in a retro fabric and style. I love this style of dress because it is so versatile. It can be worn with over jeans or leggings in the cool weather, with a long or short sleeves shirts, and even all alone in the summer months.

The green fabric with the red and orange accent pockets make it a great holiday season casual dress. Available in sizes 3 months up to 6T at Humble Bea for $22.

Rock the Retro: Liberty Garage Captain Rocket Dinnerware

Mir — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:02:00 GMT

If you're looking for a dinner set with a yesteryear feel, look no further than this Captain Rocket ensemble from Liberty Garage. Our intrepid spaceman looks a bit like Opie, no? Whether that means anything to your junior astronaut or not, he'll enjoy having his own rocket-themed dishes. Set of plate, spoon and silverware available for $21 at In The Treetop.

Rock the Retro: Nancy Drew Recycled

chrisjordan — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:02:00 GMT

How many of us loved Nancy Drew as children? Here one of the original books from 1960 has been recycled into a purse. Fully lined, beaded handle, and button loop closure, this vintage purse is sure to please an fashion forward school age child, or at the very least make other parents wax nostalgic.

You could even steal it for yourself.

Available at Retro Grandma for $47.99

Rock the Retro: Antique-Styled Brum Pedal Car

Mir — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:04:00 GMT

Brum is apparently a superhero car from a UK children's cartoon, but all I know is that this Brum pedal car ($229 at Amazon) is smiling at me. And I am smiling back, because it's so darn cute. Between the crank in the front and the simulated convertible top in the back, from the a-ooga horn to the perfect little fenders, well, I'm not even creeped out that dude, the car is looking at me.

Rock the Retro: Punch the Creepy Clown

chrisjordan — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:03:00 GMT

I had one of these when I was a kid. I loved punching Bozo and having him pop back up for more. I am tempted to get this as a Christmas present, for myself.

Made of durable vinyl it should last for a few days or until your child decides to tackle it.

Available at Land of Nod for $16.99

Rock the Retro: Vintage Wrap Dress

chrisjordan — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:01:00 GMT

Vintage brown and orange print fabric with a decorative brown topstitch at hem. A corduroy covered button at the waist secures the dress.

Hand made and one of a kind, this dress is sized 12-18 months. Available at Flour Clothing for $28

Rock the Retro: The Seventies Live On in This Owl Pinafore

chrisjordan — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:04:00 GMT

This looks like something I would have worn to school as a child. The orange, the browns, the mustard yellow, just add a macrame craft to complete the look. It would be so cute over a long sleeved tee and some jeans.

This pinafore is reversible, which is a feature I love. The reverse side features a small polka dot floral pattern for when you feel like dressing your child with more restraint. Available in sized 3mos up to 4T at Lassie Girl for $24.

Rock the Retro: Radio Flyer Inchworm

Mir — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:03:00 GMT

Remember this little guy? He's back and just like you remember -- bounce in the saddle to make him go. I have such fond memories of this Radio Flyer Inchworm that I don't even have the heart to insert any one of a dozen easy dirty jokes here. (That's the mark of a truly classic toy, I guess.) Currently the Inchworm is on sale at Amazon for $39.99 with free shipping. Just supply your own smiling tot and double entendres.

Rock the Retro: Selecta Spielzeug Carroussel Push Toy

Mir — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:03:00 GMT

I think I had one of these when I was little. (I also think there were fewer letters in the name back then, but inflation, you know....) It's the classic German push toy in wood; the faster you go, the higher the beads spin. Because every toddler needs an excuse to go running around the house! It's sold out 'most everywhere I looked, but you can get one from Little Zen Minds for $32.95.

Rock the Retro: Mr. Bump is Back to Soothe Those Ouchies

Mir — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:02:00 GMT

Remember the Mr. Men books? They're back (they even have a new TV show out), and who better than Mr. Bump to attend to those little bumps and bruises that might need a cold pack? No one, that's who. This Mr. Bump gel pack may be allowed even by the ice-phobic, because he clearly understands what it's like to have an owie. And while you can surely get or make some ice for less than the $12.95 this will cost you at Genius Jones, if this works to get a screaming toddler's swelling under control, I'm for it.

Rock the Retro: Jacks Like You Remember

chrisjordan — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:03:00 GMT

I love toys that remind me of my childhood, or more accurately the revisionist memories of my childhood. Where everyday was sunny, I was never bored, and I joyfully made my own fun, dammit.

I did play jacks frequently, probably because as an only child it was something I could play all alone. This vintage inspired set by Channel Craft includes a metal tin, instruction booklet, shiny nickel and brass plated jacks, and bright red rubber balls, and sells for $7.92.

Droolworthy: Classic Cruiser Silver Speedster for Baby Andretti

Karen — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:05:00 GMT

Ever since Mir featured this Audi via Daddy Types, I've been on the lookout for something for say, less than $13,000. Colour me crazy, but I didn't want to pay that and I doubt you would either.

Enter this affordable car that blogger Stephanie Nielsen raves about in her interview with Cookie.

Also available in pink:

For $68 at Baby Style.

Rock The Retro: Literary Boost as Kid Art

Karen — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:03:00 GMT

These would be great to frame for a child's room, playroom or classroom. Eight posters in all (for around $10/each), created under the aegis of the WPA's Federal Art Project in the late 1930s to promote libraries and literacy.

Enter your email address on the site to receive a coupon code for an additional 25% OFF!

See all the posters after the jump (some of the pics aren't great, just squint your eyes and pretend):

Rock the Retro: Scratch Giraffe Scooter

Mir — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:03:00 GMT

Before there were Razor Scooters, before kids expected their ride-ons to be aerodynamic and go a hundred miles an hour and fold up to the size of a deck of cards, there were scooters. Real scooters. Made of wood, powered by nothing more than your feet.

I had one that looked an awful lot like this Giraffe Scooter by Scratch, and I loved it. I'm sure my parents didn't pay $102 for it back in the day, but if you simply must purchase this adorable bit of nostalgia, you can get yours at Moolka. Ages 2+.

Rock the Retro: Tin Tank Outfits Your Space Invaders

Mir — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:04:00 GMT

I can think of no more appropriately ironic way to label one's child than with one of these space invaders t-shirts. Why, I am chuckling at the multi-layered symbolism even now. $22 at Tin Tank; sizes 2T and up.

Rock the Retro: My Brother is Going to Kill Me for Telling You This

Karen — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:03:00 GMT

When my brother was a little squirt, he had a blanket just like this one. With his index and middle finger, he would hold his blankie by the satiny edge, and suck his thumb to fall asleep. Many family pictures include this well-loved keepsake and this hand made one would do just fine for someone of the coming generation.

This lovely retro Pez Luxury Blanket is available on Etsy for $58.