Retro Toys Back In Vogue

Mr. Potato Head, Cabbage Patch Kids And More

(CBS)  Parents these days are buying the toys they used to play with as kids for their own children, hoping to remember the good old days. In The Early Show's Hib Report, Laurie Hibberd has a roundup of toys you may not have seen for a while.

There are a few modifications in most of these toys - they are "new and improved" versions, but the classic idea is still the same.

Razor Scream Machine:
This is the re-engineered successor to the classic Big Wheel® three-wheeler of the 1970s. Unlike its all-plastic predecessor, Scream Machine is a fully chromed missile; souped-up, low-down and high-speed, with a wide, aggressive stance and flared wheels just waiting to tear up the pavement. It's tough, fast, safe and enables the best skid-outs known to asphalt. Some new features include an extended airfoil axle, which doubles as a standing bar for kick-starting a fast ride and the seat and hand-brake adjust to fit kids ages 4-12. Today, Razor recommends that kids wear a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads when riding the Scream Machine. $100

Playmobil:
PLAYMOBIL has always been known for its wide array of creative play worlds, but the solid and unifying foundation for all of them is still the same: a two and three quarter inch figure with legs that bend, hands that grip, and a neutral facial expression that suits just about any play situation. All PLAYMOBIL men, women, children, babies, and animals are fully compatible with all other PLAYMOBIL accessories and environments, allowing kids to use their imaginations to the fullest.

The PLAYMOBIL assortment is divided into three basic groups: PLAYMOBIL First Smile and 1.2.3, PLAYMOBIL Blue, and PLAYMOBIL Pink.

Lite Brite:
This modern spin on a classic favorite delivers four times the fun of the original light-up picture maker. Four picture panels let kids create and save up to three pictures while they work on another - or they can have three friends join in the fun.

The LITE-BRITE CUBE features a carry handle and two-peg storage drawers that let kids bring the fun along with them wherever they go. Light bulb, 500+ pegs, 30 POWER PEGS, 40 LITE LOOPS for 3-D designs and 10 design pictures (6 classic, 2 hidden and 2 freeform) are included. Ages 4 and up. $25.

Play-Doh:
There isn't much to say about Play-Doh, as it's the same recipe today as it was back in the old days. The differences now are that you can purchase a variety of colors and sizes, and in addition to buying individual cans, you can also purchase complete sets, which allows the child to make anything from ice cream sundaes to cookies to animals to anything else their imagination allows. Originally, Play-Doh only came in one size and one color; off-white.

Easy-Bake Oven:
The original Easy-Bake Oven has been around for 35 years. Updates to this toy have included line additions, such as the Easy-Bake Corn Popper, as well as product additions, such as the Easy-Bake Slide Thru Baking Pans. Over the years, Easy-Bake has also teamed up with licensed brands, such as M&M, and Oreo, to offer more delicious treats than ever to it's users. Ages 8 and up.

Queasy-Bake Cookerator:
This spin-off of the popular original is geared towards boys, but they're definitely not going to be making the same recipes as the girls. The ingredients that come with this are for Mud 'n Crud Cake and Drip 'n Drool Dog Bone Cookies. It comes with warming area and cover, pan pusher, mixing bowl, teaspoon, spatula, two pans, mold (for pretend bug-making, of course!) and ingredients for the two special treats. Ages 8 and up. $25.

Mr. Potato Head:
His debut took place back in 1952, and didn't even contain the potato head! It came with just the parts and parents supplied real potatoes for the body. Twelve years later, Mr. Potato Head started coming with it's own hard plastic body, and in 1975 the body became the size it is now. In his lifetime, Mr. Potato Head has become somewhat of an American Icon (even being nominated for the Mayor of Boise, Idaho) and yet he is still as fun to play with as we remember. Ages. $6.

Cabbage Patch Kids:
Available exclusively at Toys R Us. Cabbage Patch Kids were first developed in 1978, but the Cabbage Patch Kids we're familiar with were really started in 1982. They have vinyl heads and a fabric and vinyl body, whereas the very first dolls were all soft. Each Cabbage Patch Kid doll is still made by hand, and they come complete with birth certificates. Over 95 million Cabbage Patch Kids have been "born" in the past 20 years. $60.

He-Man:
In designing the new line, it was believed that the build of the original would not have the same appeal for today's kids. The change between the 1982 and 2002 figures are the physical body proportions of the action figure, which have been modified, giving the Masters of the Universe figures a look that is more contemporary and streamlined. In addition, more intricate detail was added to the action figure's costumes. Lastly, while the original He-Man came in one (super-muscular) size, today's muscular but more toned He-Man comes in three variations - He-Man, Battle He-Man (which makes sounds) and miniature He-Man.