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Toys and games from our past

Toys and games have been a part of our lives, and the lives of children all over the world, for hundreds of years. Some, like dolls and toy cars are as popular today as they were years ago, but the materials they are made from and the way they are made has shifted and changed with the times. Others, like the Etch A Sketch have been taken over by exciting new technologies and trends.

Whether exploring iconic toys like the Rubik’s cube, or old favourites like the teddy bear, toys are a great way to help children find out about the past and develop their historical skills and understanding.

Explore by theme

Binatone video game console (About 1980)

Teddy Bear: ‘Guisborough Ted’ (about 1900)

Snakes and ladders game (1930s)

Small-world play: Train set (1960s) and farm (1950s)

Skipping rope (early-mid 1900s)

Rubik’s cube (1980s)

Etch-A-Sketch (1960s)

Doll (late 1800s)

Betta Bilda construction set (1960s)

Clockwork Car (1930s)

Care Bear (1980s)

Acrobat toy (about 1900)

Protecting our local wildlife

A collage of artworks and objects from Tees Valley Museums

Art in our collections

Carew Beach

Local Art and Artists

Front Cover of LNER Holiday Handbook 1938

Teesside transport and journeys

A pewter teapot from Preston Park Museum & Grounds

Victorian homes

A photograph of pressed leaves and flowers

Inspired by nature

Saxon Jewelery on display at Kirkleatham Museum

Early settlers

Loftus Miners, Skinningrove

Ironstone miners

Centenerary celebration of the Stockton to Darlington Railway

The Stockton & Darlington Railway

Beside our seaside

Painting of Hartlepool Headland during the bombardment

The Tees Valley in World War I

Made in the Tees Valley

Political poster for Alice Schofield Coates

Teessiders

Portrait of Dr Nicholas Patrick, born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Exploring the wider World and beyond