Fisher-Price is putting a virtual toy museum on Instagram with 90 exhibits tapping into nostalgia for a new spin on experimental e-commerce — see inside

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Fisher-Price is putting a virtual toy museum on Instagram with 90 exhibits tapping into nostalgia for a new spin on experimental e-commerce — see inside
  • Toy manufacturer Fischer Price is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a virtual Instagram museum.
  • The brand is featuring 90 toys, with selections from each decade.
  • The virtual experience even includes a gift shop.

Toy manufacturer Fisher-Price is celebrating its 90th anniversary in a very 2020 way, with a virtual museum. The museum lives on Instagram, taking viewers through some of the most popular toys of each decade the brand has been around, leaning heavily on nostalgia.

Virtual experiences are having a moment recently, with most in-person activities on hold or significantly altered because of the coronavirus pandemic. Companies have tried to recoup some lost revenue through virtual workshops, tours, and even wine tastings. Nearly 4,000 museums have also made exhibits available online, including The Guggenheim and The Met.

Parent company Mattel launched this museum and gift shop right as many are starting to think about holiday shopping. The coronavirus-induced recession has decreased consumer spending and thrown more than eight million into poverty.

However, e-commerce sales increased by nearly a third in Q2 as the pandemic kept many people inside and online shopping became more convenient than ever. With a year-over-year increase of 44.5%, e-commerce is a $211.5 billion industry, so the virus' impact on holiday shopping remains to be seen.

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Upon opening the virtual Instagram museum, there's a cute drawing of a museum exterior.

Upon opening the virtual Instagram museum, there's a cute drawing of a museum exterior.
Virtual museum. Mattel

The 1938 Snoopy Sniffer was one of Fisher-Price's most popular toys, and predates the Peanuts cartoon by over a decade. Vintage models now go for more than $70 on reseller sites.

The 1938 Snoopy Sniffer was one of Fisher-Price's most popular toys, and predates the Peanuts cartoon by over a decade. Vintage models now go for more than $70 on reseller sites.
Snoopy Sniffer. Mattel
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The Coaster Boy wooden toy of 1941 was only produced for one year. Each virtual exhibit gets a tiny set to show off it's characteristics.

The Coaster Boy wooden toy of 1941 was only produced for one year. Each virtual exhibit gets a tiny set to show off it's characteristics.
Coaster Boy. Mattel

Source: This Old Toy

The Safety School Bus from the 1950s was part of the early Little People line.

The Safety School Bus from the 1950s was part of the early Little People line.
Safety School Bus Mattel
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1957's Corn Popper is the all time longest running toy in Fisher-Price's line.

1957's Corn Popper is the all time longest running toy in Fisher-Price's line.
Corn Popper. Mattel

The Chatter Telephone toy for toddlers was introduced in 1963, and found a resurgence in popularity after it was included in "Toy Story 3."

The Chatter Telephone toy for toddlers was introduced in 1963, and found a resurgence in popularity after it was included in "Toy Story 3."
Chatter Telephone. Mattel
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The Play Family School from 1971 was another addition in the Little People Line.

The Play Family School from 1971 was another addition in the Little People Line.
Play Family School. Mattel

Roller skates from 1983 are shown off in a miniature skating rink.

Roller skates from 1983 are shown off in a miniature skating rink.
Roller skates. Mattel
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Dinoroars from the 1990s are in a miniature prehistoric jungle setting of the virtual museum.

Dinoroars from the 1990s are in a miniature prehistoric jungle setting of the virtual museum.
Dinoroars. Mattel

Kasey the Kinderbot, launched in the 2000s, was an early robot style toy that influenced some of the more learning-focused toys available today.

Kasey the Kinderbot, launched in the 2000s, was an early robot style toy that influenced some of the more learning-focused toys available today.
Kasey the Kinderbot,. Mattel
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The Musical Lion Baby Walker epitomizes the 2010s with this classic meme format.

The Musical Lion Baby Walker epitomizes the 2010s with this classic meme format.
Musical Lion Baby Walker. Mattel

No virtual museum experience would be complete without a gift shop, so of course Fisher-Price included one.

No virtual museum experience would be complete without a gift shop, so of course Fisher-Price included one.
Gift shop. Mattel
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The digital gift shop is selling limited quantities of 16 products, including retro lunchboxes with Little People imagery.

The digital gift shop is selling limited quantities of 16 products, including retro lunchboxes with Little People imagery.
Gift shop. Mattel

Some of the merchandise go way back, like a t-shirt with Fisher-Price's first ever toy, Doctor Doodle.

Some of the merchandise go way back, like a t-shirt with Fisher-Price's first ever toy, Doctor Doodle.
Gift shop. Mattel
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A Fun Jet t-shirt is very 70s, in an homage to the vintage toy.

A Fun Jet t-shirt is very 70s, in an homage to the vintage toy.
Mattel

Finally, tote bags are a practical way to show off love for vintage toys.

Finally, tote bags are a practical way to show off love for vintage toys.
Gift shop. Mattel
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