Add Whimsy to Your Summer Fun

Long live lawn games! These midcentury pastimes — from putt-putt to horseshoes — turn any yard into a full-on fun house, and any picnic into a party. These lighthearted, postwar suburban pursuits usually sell for $10 to $100 on auction sites like eBay (which is where we found all the vintage games here). "People are sentimental about what they played with as kids," says Joyce Grant of TimeWarpToys.com, which sells vintage toys. "And since these older sets were made so well, they last."

Horseshoes
While themed versions — with bases featuring images of Superman or the Lone Ranger — often command upwards of $150, this sweet and simple 1950s plastic pitching paraphernalia gets game day started for just $20.

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Mini-Golf
This 1950s putt-putt set by Remco includes nine playful, painted wood obstacles--from the clown, lighthouse, and dachshund shown here to a pink elephant and storybook castle. Expect to pay up to $175 for a game in mint condition.

Add to your summer fun with delicious picnic dishes.

Krokay
In its original cardboard sleeve, Transogram's candy-colored 1960s toy typically fetches $45. "Without this great packaging, a seller would be lucky to get $10," says Grant.

Throw a prairie party.

Penguin Bowling
Joy Toy's rare 1940s Polar Penguins set — worth $95 — strikes Grant as a winner. "Collectors go gaga for any type of bowling game. This one's extra-special because it's all wood and has the original pieces," she says. "Plus, the penguins add a fun touch!"

Pack a picnic the easy way.

Bing-ItA Ping-Pong/badminton hybrid that uses tambourines as paddles (and doesn't require a table or net), this 1940s pastime "was something people would play at parties," says Grant. You can scoop up a like-new kit similar to the one here for around $25.
Enjoy refreshing fruity summer cocktails.

Archery
"Brass-tipped arrows make this a dangerous toy, which ups the value," says Grant. "Anything dangerous is always worth more." A clean, unused paper target also helps nudge the estimation of this 1950s Archery Craft gear to $60.

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