Toys of the World

Discover toys around the world and their history

Browse and learn what toys kids have used since the beginning of time.

Upload it yourself! If you know of a toy that could be in this app, please get in touch with us. Every toy added helps us build the biggest toy library in the world.

This app is for everyone passionate about toys: kids, young people, historians, parents, schools, and community organisations.

Many toys were created independently by different cultures throughout history. We celebrate every documented tradition rather than assigning a single origin.

Rubik's Cube

Played in: Hungary

Players twist the cube's rows and layers to scramble its six colored faces, then work to twist it back until each face shows a single solid color again.

Injection-molded plastic cubies with an internal spring-and-axis mechanism, colored stickers or plastic panels

robot

Played in: everywhere

science fiction

metal

a ver

Played in: lima

juntos

carton

volley

Played in: in tasmania

games

leather

ee

Played in: peru

football

leather

ball

Played in: everywhere

2 teams

leather

socc

Played in: per

2 teams the most goals wins

leather

Trompo

Played in: Mexico & Latin America

Wrap the string tightly around the body, throw it low and fast, then catch it spinning in your palm. Kids compete to keep theirs spinning longest, or "steal" a spin from a friend's top.

Hard carved wood with a small metal tip

Kendama

Played in: Japan

Swing the ball up and try to land it in one of three cups, or spike it onto the pointed tip. Hundreds of named tricks exist, from beginner catches to competition-level combos.

Beech or maple wood, cotton string

Wire Car

Played in: Zimbabwe, South Africa & beyond

A long wire handle lets kids steer the car from behind as they run, turning corners and dodging obstacles just like a real driver.

Recycled wire, tin can lids, rubber strips

Support the Library

Toys of the World is being built to stay free — for kids, parents, teachers, and toy lovers everywhere. We'd like to build and grow the biggest cultural archive of its kind, and over time, turn it into a real educational tool for classrooms. Running it does have some costs — hosting, translations, research. If this project means something to you, a small contribution through Buy Me a Coffee helps keep it going and growing.

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