Toys and games have changed significantly over time. Early toys were often made by hand from natural materials like wood, clay, and cloth. Teddy bears, the first of which was made in 1902, were also initially handmade. Dolls transitioned from materials like wood and clay to plastic starting in the 1950s as factories began mass producing toys. Over time, toys have gained technology like electric motors and screens. New toys are made of synthetic materials through mass production and must meet safety standards. While materials and manufacture have modernized, some classic toys like teddy bears remain popular today.

1. Toys and games over time

2. Do you have a favourite toy or
game?

3. Toys and games in the past
Some toys and games we play with
today are very different from the
toys and games children played
with in the past.

4. What were toys like in the past?
Are any of these toys still popular?

5. The first teddy bears
Teddy bears are named
after Theodore
Roosevelt. He was
president of the USA
from 1901 to 1909. His
nickname was Teddy.

6. The first teddy bears
The first teddy bears were made in 1902. They were handmade.

7. Modern teddy bears
Today, teddy bears come in a
variety of colours and even
patterns from pandas to polar
bears to polka dots.

8. What were dolls made of?
The first dolls were made of
natural materials such as wood,
cloth or clay.

9. What were dolls made of?
This paddle doll is over 4000 years
old. The doll is from Egypt. What
materials is it made of?

10. What were dolls made of?
Some dolls were made using China.
China is a type of clay that breaks
easily. You can move the head, arms
and legs of the doll.

11. A modern plastic doll
From the 1950s, many dolls were
made of plastic. It is made in a
factory using machines. Plastic
is light and strong.

12. Making toys move
A puppet is a model of a person or
animal. It was made in about 1930. If
you pull the strings you make the
puppet move.

13. Making toys move
Toys with electric motors.
This doll was made in the 1960s. There
is an electric motor inside the doll.
You control the motor with a handset.
A wire links the handset to the doll.

14. Making toys move
Computer games In the 1970s,
many people began to play
games on a computer using
speaker and screen technology.

15. What are the differences between
old toys and new toys?

16. The differences between old toys
and new toys
Materials
Technology
Manufacture
Safety
Old toys New toys
Wood, clay, mohair, tin,
lead, porcelain
Plastic, foam, rubber,
nylon
gears
Electronic speakers,
screens
Mostly handmade Mass produced in factories
Some sharp edges and
unsafe materials
Strict rules are in place so
that toys are very safe

17. Toy Timeline
Teddy Bear
1902
Dinky Toys
1934
Nintendo
1989
Games on computer
1902
LEGO
1958
Micky Mouse
1928

19. In this unit you will:
● Compare old and modern toys and games
● Describe how toys and games have changed
● explain why toys and games have changed