For kids growing up in the 1970s, Colorforms were a must-have toy that turned any surface into a scene of endless possibilities. These colorful, reusable vinyl stickers let children create their own stories, rearrange characters, and bring their favorite cartoons to life—over and over again. Unlike traditional stickers that lost their stickiness after a few uses, Colorforms could be peeled off and repositioned countless times, making them one of the most interactive and creative toys of the era.
The Birth of Colorforms
The story of Colorforms dates back to 1951, when two art students, Harry and Patricia Kislevitz, stumbled upon a unique material: vinyl. While experimenting with the flexible, colorful sheets, they discovered that the material would cling to smooth surfaces without needing glue or adhesive. Inspired by the potential for creativity, they cut the vinyl into simple geometric shapes and began placing them on walls, windows, and laminated boards.
They quickly realized that this concept had the makings of a fun and reusable toy, and soon, the first Colorforms sets were born. Originally marketed as an educational toy, the early Colorforms sets featured abstract shapes that encouraged children to create their own designs. But as the 1960s and 1970s rolled in, Colorforms evolved into something even bigger—a gateway into the world of beloved pop culture characters.
Bringing Cartoons to Life
By the 1970s, Colorforms had shifted from abstract art sets to themed playsets featuring popular TV and movie characters. Kids could now play with vinyl cutouts of superheroes, cartoon mascots, and even movie characters, acting out scenes and adventures on pre-designed backgrounds.
Some of the most iconic Colorforms sets of the era featured kids could mix and match different poses for Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman, creating their own action-packed scenes. Sets featuring characters like Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, and The Smurfs let children step into the worlds of their favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and other fairy tale sets brought classic children’s literature to life. Popular sitcoms and sci-fi shows, like Star Trek and The Muppet Show, got their own Colorforms editions.
Why Colorforms Were Revolutionary
What set Colorforms apart from other toys of the time was their simple yet genius design. They encouraged creativity without requiring glue, tape, or even batteries—just a smooth surface and an active imagination. Their portability also made them a hit with parents. A Colorforms set could easily be packed up and taken on long car rides or stored neatly away after playtime.
Parents and educators also saw the educational value of Colorforms. Some sets were designed specifically to teach shapes, letters, and problem-solving, while others helped children develop fine motor skills as they carefully placed and removed the stickers.
The Enduring Legacy of Colorforms
While their peak was in the 1970s and 1980s, Colorforms never truly disappeared. The brand has continued to reinvent itself over the decades, introducing new sets based on modern franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, Disney characters, and even video game icons. Collectors also continue to seek out vintage Colorforms sets, with some rare editions becoming valuable nostalgia pieces.
Colorforms’ influence can even be seen in today’s world of digital play. The concept of drag-and-drop storytelling—whether in tablet apps or interactive games—owes a lot to the hands-on, mix-and-match fun that Colorforms introduced decades ago.
Final Thoughts
For kids of the 1970s, Colorforms were more than just stickers—they were a window into a world of creativity, allowing endless hours of imaginative play. Whether acting out scenes with cartoon heroes or designing colorful abstract masterpieces, children could create and recreate to their heart’s content. Even today, the magic of Colorforms lives on, reminding us that sometimes, the simplest toys spark the most creativity.
References
Smithsonian Magazine – The History of Colorform
The Toy Collector Journal – How Colorforms Transformed Playtime in the ’70s.
Retro Play Weekly – Why Colorforms Were the Perfect Creative Toy
