Yo-yo

The yo-yo is one of the oldest toys around, dating back to at least 500BC As is their nature, they keep coming back again and again.

Rubik’s cube

Erno Rubik’s 3-D mechanical puzzle, invented in 1974, foxed millions. And no, it doesn’t count if you peel off the stickers and put them back on again.

Hula hoop

Hoops have been used in different cultures for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until 1957 that the first plastic hoops were manufactured. In 1958 an estimated 100 million were sold.

Trading cardsstickers

From football stickers to Pokemon cards, collecting has always been a popular pursuit, with children bribing their parents to buy these pocket collectors’ items, only to find they already had most of them.

Conkers

Now banned in a number of schools for health and safety reasons, conkers have been a seasonal favourite for years. Battling with them has been a source of joy to many.

Email meabh.ritchie@tes.co.uk with suggestions for this column.