Toy soldiers are as old as history is thousands of years ago Egyptian children played with them. So did Roman children. A few hundred years later, during the time known as the Middle Ages, toy soldiers were still popular. In those day, toy maker made toy soldiers out of gold and silver. Of course, these were for rich children, the sons and daughters of kings. In this country toy soldiers were first seen after the American Revolution. That was about two hundred years ago. Toy soldiers are still popular today. In fact, many grownups collect them as a hobby.