The Minnesota History Center’s new exhibit brings toys and games from decades ago back to life through stories and memories.

The exhibit is separated into the 1950s, 60s and 70s, with a living room set for each era. These settings show where children might have played with toys and also represent the outside influences on the toy industry during these years.

There are interactive activities for visitors to participate in and open areas where toys are set up for everyone to try out. There are also period commercials playing in each living room set featuring the same toys in the exhibit.

Senior exhibit developer Kate Roberts said she really enjoys how many people share memories with the toys on display.

“It’s either ‘I had that’, or ‘I wanted that’, or ‘I heard my parents or grandparents talk about that’, everybody’s got a personal connection,” Roberts said.

Freshman Eitan Grad said the exhibit is engaging because it’s something unique and interesting to see.

“I haven’t really been to a lot of museums in a while,” Grad said. “[It was] something different and fun for the end of the summer.”

Roberts said she thinks the exhibit is appealing because of the way the toys reflect what was going on in the world during these eras.

“You think about Barbie when she premiered, what was happening with women and how [the doll] evolved over time related to the women’s movement,” Roberts said. “You see that over and over again, different historical trends are really mirrored in the toys.”

The exhibit is free with general admission, which is $6 for under 18 and $11 for 18 and over. It will be open until Jan. 4.