Here are some of the toys that I had when I was a kid
This was the coolest toy. It is a a bunch of electronic parts like Transistors, Resisters, Solar Cells, Capacitors and more all laid out on a board, connected to little silver springs. The book that it came with had instructions to build all kinds of projects like radios, transmitters, counters, VU Meters, logic circuits, etc, just by connecting wires from one spring to another. LOVED IT.
Today I've discovered my inner child doing something similar. A Raspberry Pi and Audrino. I'm hoping to automate my house with it.
And of course like every other kid on the block I had one of these too:
Fun!