2002’s 10 Best History Themed Toys Under $50
Looking for more than your run of the mill Christmas and Hanukkah gifts? Check out our 2022 Gift Guide and find fun ideas for kids and adults. Looking for more ideas? Check out last year’s gift guide, many of the items are still available.
Stone Age: Pre 2000 BCE
Named Blue, this cuddly plush represents a young stone-age girl. She is named after the smaller bluestones that comprise Stonehenge. With curly hair, a brown dress and matching boots Blue carries a stone-age weapon in her belt and is ready to help your child ignite their imagination. A young boy named Sarsen is also available. He wears shorts and boots and carries his own matching weapon. These adorable toys are exclusive to English Heritage. £16.50 each.
Ancient Egypt: About 1900 BCE
If I could turn back time….. well now you can with this fun and functional watch inspired by ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Designed by Swatch as part of the Flik Flax line for the Louvre Museum, this children’s watch features the famous Egyptian scarab and is made from recycled and bio-sourced materials. A second watch celebrating Egyptian history and culture is also available in blue. $45 each.
Learn about the last pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra with our easy bead snake craft.
William the hippo, the “unofficial” mascot of the New York Metropolitan Museum, dates back to around 1900BCE. This adorable knit set in light blue features lotus blossoms and marsh plans which are traditional Egyptian symbols of rebirth. The beanie, mittens and scarf are designed for kids ages 4 to 6. Children can dress up the famous Egyptian faience (a cermanic made of ground quartz) sculpture while staying warm this winter. $45
Olmec Civilization: About 1500 BCE
Chocolate comes for the beans of the cocoa trees which are native to central and southern America. Historical evidence suggests the earliest know people to use the cocoa beans were the ancient Olmecs who may have mixed it with tea in a ceremonial drink. Later cultures such as the Maya and Aztecs also made use of chocolate and the Aztecs even thought the beans were more precious than gold. Try making your own chocolate treats this Christmas. $26.99
China's Zhou Dynasty: About 1000-200 BCE
The Chinese Dragon or Long can be traced as far back as 600 BCE and may have originated in the Zhou Dynasty. This dynasty is know for its cultural advancements and lasted almost 800 years. Celebrate the rich history of China with this fun puzzle. $9.99
Classical Greece: 400 BCE
This Plato finger puppet from The Unemployed Philosopher’s Guide doubles as a fridge magnet. You probably already know Plato is famous for his philosophical writings and recorded the story of the lost city of Atlantis. He comes with a mini-biography that includes a famous quote, key dates and few historical facts. Kids and adults alike will have fun role-playing what it was like to be this great thinker. $7.75
Ancient Rome: 200 CE
From aqueducts to roads, the Romans loved to build. One of the most famous Roman building is the great Colosseum. This play set allows young ones to try their hand at Roman engineering.
If you want to learn more about the Colosseum, check out these fun facts.
The Viking Age: 800 CE
Sail away to the North Sea and experience the Viking Age. Based on a real Viking longboat, this paper replica will allow the young and the young heart to imagine life on the high seas. Made exclusively for the British Museum this book features 37 cutouts. £5.99
Learn about the Norse God with our many Viking themed crafts.
Japan: Samurai Culture 1200 CE
Little green army men are a playroom classic, but these figures place a news spin on the classic toy. The Samurai mini-warriors are a fun way to explore Japanese culture. The package includes 5 warriors in a variety of action poses. $9.99
The Golden Age of Pirates: 1600 CE
Immerse your family in the Golden Age of Piracy as you search for hidden treasure with Madok’s Interactive Treasure Hunt sold at Uncommon Goods. You will explore the Caribbean using maps, clues, artifacts and wax-sealed letters to solves the puzzle. The game is designed for 1 to 4 players and takes about 2 hours. If you get stuck, don’t worry clues can be sent via SMS text message. Why not dress up in costume with an eye-patch and take family game night to the next level. $45.00