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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Lifestyle
Sophie Collins & Nathan Russell

Some Lego, Barbie and Hot Wheels toys are now family heirlooms worth €1000s

It’s time to rummage through the attic and the old toy box for some prized gems you didn’t even know were worth money.

New research revealed that some of the most popular toys that parents and grandparents keep include LEGO, Barbie, and Hotwheels, which could be worth thousands today.

Each of these types of toys are some of the most searched online and they also are the most expensive to buy on eBay - particularly in the UK.

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Older versions of Hot Wheels lead the way at €4,551, with LEGO being a runner-up at a cost of up to €4,547 and Barbie is in third, costing up to €2,844.

Busy Bees noted how dramatically toys have changed over the years due to advances in manufacturing and plastics taking over from natural materials, which alters the way children interact with them.

Another highlighted change is an advancement in technology, which has massively changed the way children want to play.

A recent survey was revealed that despite their worth today, most people would prefer to keep their old toys rather than make money by selling them.

Early years childcare provider Busy Bees carried out a poll with 2,000 respondents, revealing that 65% are planning to pass their loved toys on to children and grandchildren, while 47% of parents and grandparents have no intention of selling them.

Marg Randles, Co-founder of Busy Bees commented: “No matter how drastically toys may have changed in the past 40 years, it’s the values of play that remain the same and that’s why so many parents and grandparents want to pass on the beloved toys from their childhood to share in their joy with future generations.”

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