If you remember the thrill of eating your first Easy-Bake cake or the pungent odor of a freshly fired
cap gun, you’ll enjoy the current
traveling exhibit at the New Jersey Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center in Holmdel.
The exhibit, “Dolls and Toys of the 1960s-70s — A Flash Back in Time,” on display through Aug. 21, offers glimpses into childhoods of the past.
More than 50 toys are on loan as part of a traveling exhibit available from the Toy Museum of New York, located in Brooklyn. Some of the classic playthings featured are G.I. Joe, Barbie, Star Trek figures, Etch A Sketch, Troll dolls, Lego blocks, Nerf balls, old-fashioned roller skates, dollhouse furniture and a record player.
The toys are encased in glass for their protection, but some Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys are available to provide some hands-on fun.
“The education center widens its focus beyond the Vietnam War itself to the home front,” said Katie Henry, coordinator of education initiatives and resources. “You can understand a culture through its toys and games and take a step back in time.”
Henry said it is interesting to see the gender roles depicted in that era with Hasbro’s G.I. Joe action figures, which were first produced in 1964, and Barbie dolls, which Mattel made popular in the 1960s. GI stands for government issue and has become a common term for soldier.
She said her favorite toy in the exhibit is the Easy-Bake Oven introduced by Kenner (now a division of Hasbro) in 1963.
“I was born in the ’80s, and the Easy-Bake Oven I had was not as well made as one in this exhibit,” said Henry, who received a master of arts degree in museum professions from Seton Hall University in South Orange.
Henry said the exhibit brings out the child in everyone and has multigenerational appeal.
“Everyone is a child at heart, and toys bring out nostalgia,” said Henry, a resident of Old Bridge. “The high school studentswho tour the educational center and memorial are enthralled by the toys, as are the people who were children during the ’60s and ’70s.”
The exhibit will close on a realistic note by giving viewers a taste of a 1960s family field day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21. “There will be 1960s activities, including races, music, films and crafts,” Henry said. “It will be fun for the family and educational.” 
Clockwise from top right: Colorful Troll dolls are part of a toy exhibit looking back to the ’60s & ’70s at the N.J. Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center, Holmdel. Other toys include Easy-Bake ovens, Tinker Toys, full-size G.I. Joe figures, Barbie and an Etch A Sketch. Collector Steve Stegman gave a talk on June 12 and brought along some of his favorites: Howdy Doody, Robert the Robot, and Mr. Machine. The exhibit will close Aug. 21 with a 1960s family field day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. PHOTOS BY LESTER B. YOUNG JR.