JAZZ'S INTERNET EMPORIUM
Childhood Toys
Here's some toys I had as a kid, along with some I wish I had, and some I never forgot about!
I got these in chip packets, probably Smiths chips. They just seemed to appear around my house. Some were thin and softer plastic, some had lines etched into them, but the most valuable ones in my opinion as a kid were these ones. I guess because they were thick plastic and shiny.
These style of Tazos were most common. I remember the Looney Tunes and The Simpsons ones the best!
I WISH I had this many! But I didn't because we weren't allowed McDonald's much. Good for my health, but it was sad to be a Neo-obsessed kid unable to collect the coolest Happy Meal toys ever. I still have a blue Lupe!
I had the pink one and another colour too. I never watched Power Rangers. I thought it was boring, but my best friend Cassie loved it so I liked it because she did. I also had this bigger one my mum got at K-mart. The lady scanning it made a mistake lol and the price didn't register. I got it for free. I remember it was the Red Ranger, with an awesome red motorbike. The motorbike had a little stand you could flick up so it could stay upright. You could pose the Ranger on the bike, in a riding position. I felt like I won the lotto that day.
I adored this toy of Tramp from TOMY brand and am a little sad I gave him to an op shop.
I got these Wizard of Oz dolls from (I think) a real-life show. I would've been about 4 years old. Maybe there was The Wizard of Oz on ice? I also had an awesome big plastic Rex from Toy Story that I got from Toy Story on Ice, which I saw with my mum and sister. :')
Russ Berrie Zulu Lion. My nana gave me this during a sleepover. It was just me at my grandparents' house alone when I was about 5–6. I slept in the spare room, on a small bed which folded out from a single lounge room chair. I was almost as low as the floor, and this lion was a great comfort to me. I loved it when they gifted me soft toys. They always got me the best ones.
Russ Berrie Bullet Dog. I misread the label as "Bolter" so his name was Bolter. It made sense to me, since I used the word "bolt" to describe running fast, which dogs do.
Crazy Bones. I had a decent collection. I barely played with them as they were intended to play with. The collectable factor was what I really liked.
Knuckle Heads. I had the same one. I think I got it in a Melbourne show bag. In 2024 I was SO tempted to buy this on eBay.
Mighty Beanz (from Moose) and their "Bodz". I didn't get many Bodz since... well, you didn't do anything with them, except place the bean inside and look at them. Mighty Beanz were sensory toys for me before I even knew what sensory toys were.
I had one or two Bionicle toys. It was sort of like LEGO in how you have to put it together. I remember displaying it on my bookshelf for years but never really playing with it. I don't even know why I got it. I didn't even know what they were. I think I just wanted to fit in. My one was red and that's about all I can recall.
I had this white-haired guy and a dinosaur. I gave the white-haired dude away sadly but I have the dino still! I decided the boards they came with were terrible so I op-shopped those too. These guys just looked super cool to me and I wanted so many more! I also wanted shirts with the World Industries designs.
Further reading: The Tech Deck Dude Archive
During my research into my childhood toys, I came across this photo and realised I had this as a kid! I don't remember the eyes looking so uncanny though. This guy is from Johnson and Friends, which for some reason, adult-me thought was a part of Bananas in Pyjamas.
I had some Baby Borns as a kid, and I remember having this bottle. I thought it was so cool how the liquid inside moved, and it looked like real milk.
I wish I had some HE merch. The Pajama Sam merch is so cool.
Kids at my primary school had these and I thought they looked weird and bad-ass at the same time.
As a kid, I was gifted Tugger the Playful Pup. He was so cool. I cut off the sock he had in his mouth because I just wanted him to look like a normal pup. He still had a bit of string hanging out of his mouth, which I could pull in and trigger the "grrrr" sound and action.
More info about Tugger
Tugger TV advert
Brands of Interest
These are a list of toy brands that I like to keep my eye on for a variety of reasons. For some, I like to see what new things they release, sometimes I like to learn about the history of them, to see collections, or to see if they start releasing decent toys (I don't like all of these brands haha).Jellycat is my all-time favourite toy brand! I have an entire page dedicated just to Jellycats.
Russ Berrie
Aurora – (and their brand Palm Pals, which I adore)
Keel Toys – https://jazzs.neocities.org/Shrines/turtle%20toy.webp
Keeleco – https://shop.nmmc.co.uk/products/eco-ray-25cm / https://www.stuffedwithplushtoys.com/p/seagull-keel-toys/47C0250948
Frankie and Me
Korimco – https://www.souvenirsdirect.net.au/product/korimco-lil-friends-kookaburra-18cm-kids-soft-animal-plush-toy/ / Look at Lil Friends line, the elephants, Frankie and Friends Green Dragon
Scholastic
Douglas
Lion Toy
Tadpole
Walrus
Stingray
Black Wolf
Cub Club WWF – https://cozykids.gr/en/products/wwf-cub-club-yfasmatinos-skantzoxoiros-harry-18cm
Charlie Bears – Cuddle Cubs, and Bear & Me
Animal Allsorts – Aussie dog – https://www.kidstuff.com.au/products/animal-allsorts-milo-the-aussie-dog-large
Wild Republic – https://www.toyworld.com.au/products/wild-republic-cuddlekins-hyena-12-inch
Living Nature
Steiff – Disney series of toys. The Lion King? Also Steiff Cuddly Toy Museum
Mary Meyer
Manhattan Toy Co
I think this chicken is so cool-looking.
Moulin Roty – Dumpster Dog
Hallmark
Applause
Aussie Born by Elka
Eco Plush – Tang Fish
Little Finch
Tatty Teddy
Little Paws Plushies – Essa Rabbits
Ty – the classic ones have a charm, and some are nice. The new ones with the glittery eyes that are sold at every petrol station? Nah thanks.
Bearington – these teddies remind me of the sorts I would have seen older ladies collecting when I was a little kid
Dakin Soft Toys – lots of vintage Garfield toys
Kösen Toys – their semi-realistic animal toys are very cool
Folkmanis – the quality is meant to be amazing, and they look it.
KityCrylics – these toys are so well made, and they remind me of Jellycats :) I am a big fan of the BonBon Magical Noopy.
Beanie Kids –
Beanie Kids Official Website – this website is so cool. It shows how it looks in the year 2008, and it's well archived.
What happened to Beanie Kids? – a brief outline of the history of Beanie Kids
Beanie Babies –
Websites I like to keep track of
Bear Pile – Artist bears and handmade teddies
Extra things to elaborate on...
This is an old ToyWorld catalogue.
Simba
This Ravensburger-branded Simba reminds me of my own one
Add in memories of the newsagents at the plaza as a kid, and Toy World in Morno