One standout from the era was the Candy Land Kids collection, introduced in 1982. These soft, machine-washable dolls were tailor-made for toddlers. Each character had a themed accessory, like Sugar Button with her tricycle or Candy Kiss with her little red wagon. Playskool even released a matching Candy Land playground set, complete with a slide, swing, and see-saw, giving kids a whole sugary world to explore. For many children, these dolls were a first step into pretend play.
Another hit came with Playskool Village Blocks, which encouraged kids to build and rebuild their own towns. These colorful blocks came with stickers to turn them into shops, fire stations, or train depots. The included playboards featured streets and railroad tracks, making it easy for little builders to create their own neighborhoods and move cars, buses, and trains through town. The simplicity of the blocks paired with endless configuration possibilities made them a go-to for imaginative play.
By the mid-1980s, Playskool tapped into one of the most beloved children’s shows of all time with their Sesame Street playsets. These portable playhouses gave kids a chance to “visit” Bert and Ernie’s brownstone or hang out with Cookie Monster. Complete with miniature figures and pieces that stored neatly inside the carrying case, the set was perfect for both home and on-the-go play. It was a mix of familiar faces and hands-on fun that captured the spirit of Sesame Street.
These 80s Playskool toy sets reflected a time when play focused on creativity, storytelling, and open-ended fun. Kids could build, explore, and interact with their favorite characters without screens or batteries. Today, vintage collectors and nostalgic parents seek out these sets for the memories they hold and the durability that has helped many survive decades of play.
Below, we’ve collected vintage advertisements of these classic Playskool toys, giving a colorful look back at some of the most fun and iconic playsets of the 1980s.
Vintage Playskool toy sets, the Candy Land Kids collection: A little girl’s first dolls (1982)
Small, soft and machine washable, these dolls were designed especially for little girls 1-1/2 years and up.
Your little girl will love them all… Sugar Button comes with her very own tricycle… Pepper Mint with her rocking horse… Candy Kiss with her wagon.
There’s even a matching playground set available with a swing, slide and see-saw. All in the Candy Land motif, and all designed to fit the little dolls.
There’s never been anything quite like these delightful dolls. They are small, just right for little hands. They are soft and cuddly.
Their clothes are removable and interchangeable. Their hair is silky and easy to comb. And, if a doll gets dirty from too much loving, just pop her in the washing machine, and she’ll come out bright, spanking clean.
Look for the Candy Land Kids, they are much more than collectors’ items. They are real dolls… to be played with and loved.
Playskool Village Blocks provide hour after hour of imaginative play. (1982)
By mixing and matching these versatile building shapes children can play with an almost unlimited number of different villages.
Each set of Village Blocks comes with bright, colorful labels to put on the blocks and turn them into stores, offices, shops, village halls, train stations, fire departments… all the familiar places of a wonderful friendly village.
And, not only are there all those different buildings to mix and match, there are cars, trucks, buses and trains to drive around.
The colorful playboards are designed with streets and grass and railroad tracks on which children can put the buildings where they please.
Whatever roles they are playing… doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief… every child will delight in the hours of fun and imaginative play provided by Village Blocks.
Vintage ’80s Playskool toy sets: Sesame Street (1986)
A big, fun house filled with real friends and lots of pretend.
Sesame Street: Kids will feel right at home playing with Bert and Ernie in their brownstone, and Cookie Monster, too. All 18 play-pieces store inside, and the automatic lock-tote handle makes it easy to carry.
It’s a good feeling to know your child’s pretending with real friends during these imaginative Playskool Years.
Playskool. Inc A subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.
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