Get our free mobile app

If you have some old toys from when you were a kid in your basement, garage or attic, they could be worth a pretty penny at a Vintage Toy Show Friday here in Minnesota.

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid? I'd have to say mine was either one of our Lego sets or maybe my Incredible Hulk action figure. Alas, I don't have either of those toys anymore. But if YOU still have some of your old toys, they could be worth some big bucks at the Antique Toy Roadshow, a toy-buying show put on by The Toy Scout.

If that name sounds familiar to you, it might be because Joel Magee (The Toy Scout's real name) has been making appearances around the country for over the last 20 years buying, selling, and collecting vintage toys. According to his website, he 'has a wealth of knowledge and experience appraising collectibles, which has earned him the title of America’s Toy Scout.'

Oh, yeah-- he's also been featured on the History Channel's show 'Pawn Stars,' as their resident Disney expert and appraiser. And he's been here in Minnesota this past week, appraising and, yes, even buying, some vintage toys during his Antique Toy Roadshow's stay at the Courtyard by Marriot - Bloomington, near the Mall of America.

This CBS-Minnesota story says he spends 'millions of dollars' buying toys each year, which he then restores and sells to toy collectors. He says there are three criteria he uses to appraise vintage toys:

  • Does the toy fit into a collection?
  • Does it possess a memorabilia aspect?
  • Who manufactured the toy?

So what are the most popular toys he's looking for right now? "What are the hot toys? Star Wars, GI Joes, little Hot Wheels cars," Magee told CBS-Minnesota in the story.

The Toy Scout's stay here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes will continue through Friday (June 17th) so if you have some vintage toys you think might be worth some money, you might want to make the drive to the Courtyard by Marriot - Bloomington (located just of 494 near the Mall of America.) Or, you can click HERE for a link to have The Toy Scout appraise your toy and give you a quote remotely.

And speaking of vintage toys, do you remember what was the hot toy you just HAD to have during the holidays when you were a kid? Keep scrolling to see which toys were hot from the year you were born-- and when you were growing up!

Listen to Curt St. John in the Morning
Weekdays from 6 to 10 on Quick 
Country 96.5

LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born

With the holiday spirit in the air, it’s the perfect time to dive into the history of iconic holiday gifts. Using national toy archives and data curated by The Strong from 1920 to today, Stacker searched for products that caught hold of the public zeitgeist through novelty, innovation, kitsch, quirk, or simply great timing, and then rocketed to success.

More From KROC-AM