Stone age children played with dolls made from feathers, fur, sticks or clay. Ancient Egyptian children played with spinning tops, toy animals and balls made from papyrus, a type of reed. In ancient Greece, children played with yo-yos, while in ancient Rome toy chariots, marbles and puppets were popular toys.

During the Middle Ages, children had little time to play. However, older children played football in the streets. There weren't any rules and they used a pig's bladder for a ball. The game became so rough it was banned in 1314. In the 1600s wooden rocking horses were popular.

When the first settlers arrived in America, they took dolls with them, which were among the first goods traded with the native Indians. In Germany, Nuremberg was famous for its skilled toy makers and interesting toy shops. Beautiful dolls houses were made here, perfect in every detail. By the 18th century dolls were extremely life-like. They were made from wax, china, papier mache and rubber.