Toys | National Museum of Australia

Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima, Humpty and the rest of the gang are versatile performers, able to adapt to any situation and always ready to assist in games. For many, they are the real stars of the show.

Big Ted - click to view larger image — Big Ted: The longest-serving toy, launched into space in the very first episode

Humpty - click to view larger image — Humpty: Still intact and smiling despite more than his fair share of tumbles

Jemima - click to view larger image — Jemima: Rocket scientist, clown, cowgirl, test pilot and ballerina — is there nothing she can't do?

Little Ted - click to view larger image — Little Ted: A much-loved member of the *Play School* toy family since 1973 when the original Little Ted mysteriously disappeared

Henny Penny - click to view larger image — Henny Penny: Everybody's favourite chicken, and the lead singer for Henny Penny and the Scratchers

Tippy the Duck - click to view larger image — Tippy the Duck: Arrived in 2010 — she was hand-crocheted by designer Fiona Donovan

Daisy - click to view larger image — Daisy: Well-known for her frequent forays over the moon

Fergus - click to view larger image — Fergus: Hopped into the *Play School* pond in 1994

Slush the Pig - click to view larger image — Slush the Pig: His name supposedly reflects his resemblance to a piggybank

Darcy the Donkey - click to view larger image — Darcy the Donkey: Famous for her ability to sit and eat anything the script requires

Sam - click to view larger image — Sam the Lamb: Graduated from an extra in the early 1970s to minor baaing roles in the 1980s

Diddle - click to view larger image — Diddle: A talented fiddle player, who is happy to say 'I do' to Owl, again and again

Scrap the Dog - click to view larger image — Scrap the Dog: Made from a design by ABC graphic artist Katrina van Gendt

Owl - click to view larger image — Owl: Talents include hooting and proposing to Diddle again and again in 'The Owl and the Pussycat'

Kim - click to view larger image — Kim: Twins Kim and Lisa received a makeover in 2011 to bring out their individuality

Lisa - click to view larger image — Lisa: Twins Kim and Lisa received a makeover in 2011 to bring out their individuality

Dan - click to view larger image — Dan: Joined in mid-2000s, replacing Jim, who has retired

Meeka - click to view larger image — Meeka: Joined in 1993 and was named by a viewer in a competition

Maurice - click to view larger image — Maurice: Joined the show in 1987, attracting a band of loyal followers — he can also be seen in his own big adventures

Real stars of the show

Four of the main stars of the show were on show in the exhibition – Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima and Humpty travelling from Sydney.

The extended family of toys has changed a little over the years. One of the original toys, Hamble, retired in the 1990s. Banana was retired in 2010 once the animated Bananas in Pyjamas series began. This year a new toy will hop onto the Play School set … who will it be?

All images © Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2016

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