Some items in the annals of vintage toys stand out for their sheer audacity. Others captivate with their quirky charm. A few even embrace the surprising macabre. Among these, the Milton Bradley Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture Kit from 1975 holds a special, somewhat shriveled, place. This kit was not a typical board game or puzzle that Milton Bradley was known for. Instead, it offered children a hands-on, slightly ghoulish, creative experience. This remains a fascinating relic of its time.
A Dive into the 1970s Toy Landscape
The 1970s were a decade of significant shifts in children’s entertainment. While traditional toys still held sway, there was a growing appetite for more interactive, experiential play. Science kits, craft kits, and even slightly edgy or “gross-out” toys were beginning to gain traction. It was in this fertile ground that Milton Bradley, always attentive to market trends, identified an opportunity. They likely saw potential with the Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture Kit.
The concept itself wasn’t entirely new. The practice of “shrunken apple heads” as a folk craft or novelty item had existed for a long time. They were often seen at craft fairs. This craft was also a simple activity for children using household items. Milton Bradley’s genius was in packaging this often-DIY craft into an accessible, commercially produced kit.
What Was in the Box? A Macabre Material List
While exact contents could vary slightly, a typical 1975 Milton Bradley Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture Kit would have included:
- Dehydrating Agent/Salt Mixture: This was the crucial component. It was not explicitly toxic. It was designed to accelerate the drying and shrinking process of the apple. This gave it that gnarled, leathery appearance. Instructions likely warned against ingestion.
- Plastic “Shrinking Stand” or Base: It is a simple plastic stand or base. This is designed to hold the apple as it dries. It often features a peg or spike to secure the apple.
- “Eye” Beads or Pins: Small plastic beads or pins to simulate eyes, adding to the grotesque realism.
- “Hair” Material: This would range from yarn to fake fur scraps. These materials allow children to give their shrunken heads a wild and unkempt mane.
- Decoration Bits: Small bits of felt, fabric, or other craft materials to add features like ears, noses, or tribal markings.
- Instructions: A detailed leaflet guides children. It guides their supervising parents too. This leaflet explains the multi-day process of carving, treating, and decorating their apple heads.
- Optional Tools: Some kits included a small plastic carving tool or a safe needle for attaching features.
The Shrinking Process: A Patience-Testing Transformation
The core of the kit was the transformation of a fresh apple into a withered, shrunken “head.” The instructions would have outlined a process similar to this:
- Carving: The first step involved carving a face into a fresh apple. This was where the creativity came in, as children would attempt to sculpt features like eye sockets, noses, and mouths. The more pronounced the initial carving, the more defined the shrunken features would become.
- Soaking/Coating: The carved apple would then be soaked in or coated with the provided dehydrating agent/salt mixture. This solution worked to draw moisture out of the apple, preventing rot and initiating the shrinking process.
- Drying: This was the longest and most crucial step. The apple was often placed on the shrinking stand. It needed to be left in a warm, dry place for several days. Sometimes it even needed to be left for weeks. As the moisture evaporated, the apple would dramatically reduce in size. Its carved features would contort and deepen into a truly shrunken appearance. The skin would become leathery and wrinkled, resembling aged flesh.
- Decorating: Once fully shrunken and dry, the fun of decoration began. Children would glue on the “eye” beads. They would attach the “hair” material. They would adorn their creations with the provided decorative bits. These actions brought their shrunken heads to life (or rather, to an undead-like state).
Why Was It Popular? The Allure of the Gross and Grotesque
The Milton Bradley Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture Kit, despite its somewhat unsettling premise, tapped into several key aspects of childhood appeal:
- Hands-On Creation: It offered a unique, tactile crafting experience that went beyond simply assembling pre-made parts.
- The “Gross-Out” Factor: For many children, the idea of creating something so deliberately grotesque was inherently appealing. It pushed boundaries and allowed for a safe exploration of the macabre.
- Patience and Observation: The long drying process taught an indirect lesson in patience. It also instructed observation, as children witnessed the slow but dramatic transformation of their apple.
- Show and Tell Potential: A finished shrunken apple head was undoubtedly a conversation starter. It was a source of pride. It was perfect for showing off to friends and family.
- Uniqueness: It was unlike many other toys on the market, offering something genuinely novel and memorable.
Legacy and Collectibility
The Milton Bradley Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture Kit from 1975 is highly sought after today. Vintage toy enthusiasts and fans of unique Americana cherish it. Complete, unopened kits in good condition can fetch a significant price on the secondary market. Even individual components or well-preserved examples of the shrunken apple heads themselves are prized.
The kit serves as a fascinating reminder of a time when toy companies weren’t afraid to experiment with unconventional themes. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of hands-on creativity and showcases the allure of the slightly creepy. It also reflects the endless imagination of childhood. The apples themselves may have withered away long ago. However, the memory of this delightfully ghoulish kit remains surprisingly fresh in the history of toys.