Collecting Sesame Street Memorabilia: Favorite Characters and Childhood Treasures

Some characters bring childhood memories rushing back the moment you see them. Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, and Elmo belong to that familiar neighborhood of friends. Their colorful personalities make Sesame Street memorabilia a fun way to revisit favorite moments and share those memories with another generation.

A collection can begin with one small figure or grow into a display filled with vintage toys, playset pieces, and character collectibles. At Draben’s Toyland, our Sesame Street listings offer several ways to explore the neighborhood, whether you collect a favorite character or enjoy finding toys you remember from childhood.

Big Bird: A Familiar Face for a Nostalgic Collection

Big Bird’s bright yellow feathers and curious personality make him an instantly recognizable centerpiece for a Sesame Street collection. Character toys that show him doing something—driving, reading, or painting—can give a display extra personality.

Our Sesame Street Big Bird Wind-Up Toy Train combines a familiar character with the appeal of a mechanical toy. Made by Illco, the locomotive moves forward when its smokestack is twisted. The listing notes that the mechanism still works and that Big Bird has some staining, useful details for collectors weighing appearance and function.

A toy like this fits several collecting interests at once: Sesame Street characters, toy trains, and wind-up toys. It also provides a cheerful focal point among smaller figures.

Cookie Monster: Small Figures with Plenty of Personality

Cookie Monster’s expressive face and enthusiasm for cookies translate especially well into collectible figures. Different outfits and poses allow fans to build a varied display around a single character.

The Sesame Street Cookie Monster Wearing Purple Pajamas PVC Figure captures a playful bedtime scene. This 2.5-inch figure wears purple pajamas with white trim and holds a chocolate chip cookie. The listing identifies some paint wear, giving buyers a clear idea of its preowned condition.

Small figures are a practical starting point when display space is limited. A few Cookie Monster pieces can create an engaging shelf arrangement without requiring a large cabinet.

Bert, Ernie, and Oscar: Bring the Neighborhood Together

For many collectors, the appeal of Sesame Street comes from the relationships between its characters. Bert and Ernie’s contrasting personalities and Oscar’s love of grouchy humor give a group display its familiar neighborhood feeling.

The PLAYSKOOL Sesame Street 1-2-3 Playset brings Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch together in a folding playset. Its buildings and sidewalk offer a setting for arranging the figures.

Collectors should review the individual listing carefully: this example has play wear, missing accessories, and a previously glued street sign. Those details matter when deciding whether a set fits your collecting goals.

A playset can become the centerpiece of a collection, with individual figures and accessories displayed nearby.

Elmo: Add Another Favorite to the Shelf

Elmo’s bright red color and friendly expression make him an easy character to spot in a mixed display. Collecting across different toy lines also lets you compare how manufacturers interpret familiar Sesame Street characters.

Our Hasbro 2010 Sesame Street Elmo Waving 2.5-Inch Figure offers a compact character piece for an Elmo collection or a broader Sesame Street shelf.

You might organize figures by character, manufacturer, size, or activity. Keeping figures of similar proportions together can help create a balanced display.

Vintage Fisher-Price Sesame Street Collectibles

Sesame Street memorabilia also appeals to collectors of vintage Fisher-Price Original Little People. Individual figures and accessories provide opportunities to reconnect with a childhood playset or work toward rebuilding one piece by piece.

Our Fisher-Price Original Little People #938 Sesame Street Mr. Hooper Figure comes from the Play Family Sesame Street set offered from 1975 through 1978. This example has minor wear and discoloration described in its listing.

Accessories deserve attention, too. The Fisher-Price #938 Sesame Street Garbage Truck features Sesame Street Sanitation Department lettering and Fisher-Price markings. It is listed with visible play wear, marks, and scratches.

These smaller components can be satisfying finds for collectors who already own part of a set. Before buying a replacement piece, compare its markings, shape, and size with the version you are assembling.

How to Start Collecting Sesame Street Memorabilia

A clear focus can make collecting more enjoyable. Consider one of these approaches:

• Choose a favorite character. Build around Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, or another neighborhood friend.

• Collect a particular toy line. Concentrate on Fisher-Price Original Little People, PLAYSKOOL playsets, or small PVC figures.

• Follow a theme. Look for bedtime outfits, vehicles, sports, or seasonal designs.

• Recreate a childhood memory. Search for the figure or playset accessory you remember owning.

• Build a neighborhood display. Combine several characters around a compatible playset.

There is no requirement to own every variation. A small collection of meaningful pieces can be just as rewarding as a large display.

What to Check Before Buying Vintage Sesame Street Toys

Condition and completeness help determine whether a collectible is right for you. Review photographs and descriptions for paint loss, staining, cracks, damaged parts, and missing accessories.

For wind-up or electronic toys, check whether the seller has tested the mechanism. A nonworking example may still suit a display collection, while someone interested in the original action will want clear information about operation.

Manufacturer names and copyright markings can help distinguish similar pieces. Keep in mind that a copyright date does not always establish the exact year an individual toy was manufactured.

Original packaging may appeal to some collectors, while loose figures offer an accessible way to enjoy the characters. Choose according to your interests, available space, and budget.

Displaying Your Sesame Street Collection

Arrange your collection so the characters and details are easy to see. Place taller pieces toward the back and smaller figures in front. A playset can anchor the display, while vehicles and accessories help create little neighborhood scenes.

Keep collectibles away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Dust gently, and avoid soaking toys with mechanical parts or using harsh cleaners on painted surfaces. Store any packaging separately where it will stay dry and supported.

Find Your Favorite Sesame Street Characters at Draben’s Toyland

The pleasure of collecting Sesame Street memorabilia often begins with recognition: a familiar face, a remembered toy, or a tiny accessory that brings an entire childhood playset to mind.

Explore our Sesame Street figures and related collectibles to discover character pieces for your collection. From Cookie Monster’s bedtime cookie to Big Bird’s wind-up locomotive and vintage Fisher-Price neighborhood favorites, your next find may bring a little more Sesame Street to your shelf.

Selection and availability change. Please visit individual product pages for current availability, photographs, and condition details.