These classic toys from 1969 are still popular today

The play landscape in 1969 was filled with an abundance of toys, and on Dec. 3, 1969, Take 30 co-hosts Adrienne Clarkson and Paul Soles invited Canadian Toy Testing Council member Jasmine Pocock to sort out what would be a keeper for most Canadian children — and their parents.

Some were remarkable for their design as well as function. 

PlayPlax, an award-winning English construction toy with "clear, lovely colours," appealed to Clarkson as having other uses.

"Mummy, can I use my PlayPlax for a napkin ring?" suggested Clarkson.

And some were on the wanted list for fun and durability, two important criteria for parents then and now. 

Spirograph and Spirotot

First up, a table filled with toys in the imaginative play category. There were many of that type, including PlayPlax and a Soma cube, which Clarkson described as "the kind of thing that you all can do after Christmas dinner."

The Amazing Dr. Nim was described as a computer-type game for teaching early computer theory. Pocock noted "you play against Dr. Nim and he quite often beats you."

But "if you want to be more creative than that in a way which is more mathematical you have things like Spirograph," suggested Pocock. "Endlessly fascinating." 

For the younger child, there was a less complicated version called Spirotot. 

"You don't think that gets in the way of their imagination?" asked Soles. 

"No, because there are so many variations and combinations, and you can work on it yourself," replied Pocock.

'Hours and hours of play'

Picking up a small package with the heading "Child's Delight" over the name, Clarkson said she could "hardly wait till my child gets to the age where she's using it."

She was referring to Plasticine. 

"It's just very simple, and quite cheap and it doesn't make a mess, and it's very creative," Clarkson added.  

Pocock agreed: "Wonderful stocking stuffer, and you'll get hours and hours of play out of that one little package."

'Look at the construction'

"How do you know if a toy is going to be durable?" asked Soles. 

"Well the first principle ... is know your child," Pocock told him. "Be an informed consumer and look at what you're buying, look at the construction." 

A "prime example" in this category was the Tonka dune buggy. 

"The wheels are well-attached, that should get a good deal of play both indoors and out," said Pocock. 

Clarkson wondered if the squishy steering wheel made it not "realistic" enough. 

"Well can I tell ya, don't worry about it," said Soles. 

"My little boy is four," he continued. "Most of what he's got is little cars and he loves them."

Some of the toys on the activity play table included removable parts. 

"I found," said Soles, "they get lost ... and you've got to combine that with 'don't forget to put them away.'" 

Pocock reminded him to "provide some decent storage" in the way of "shelves, boxes, containers, this is up to the parents." 

"I'll show you a picture of his room later," said Soles.

'Is this a good investment for a child?'

The trio moved over to a table hockey game, which Clarkson noted was "a great big game."  

"Wanna play?" asked Soles. 

"Well I don't play hockey," Clarkson warned, as they demonstrated how it worked. 

"Is this a good investment for a child, do you like this kind of game?" she asked. 

"This will last for a long time," Pocock told her.

"One little thing here that's an improvement over when I used to play this as a kid 108 years ago," said Soles, "was that the puck is magnetic, and sticks to the players." 

And "you can stickhandle," said Clarkson.

When Clarkson suggested that it looked "very flimsy," Pocock assured her that was not the case.

"We're still playing with the one my son got when he was seven and he's now 14," Pocock said.

'There's nothing wrong with real things'

Last, but not least, was a toy that Soles referred to as a "real thing," pointing out a small-sized basketball and hoop set.  

"I think this real basketball and hoop thing, rather than an imitation toy, the real thing is really good, isn't it?" he asked.  

"This, even quite a young child you see, will play with and learn good judgment, aim, co-ordination," Pocock said.