What retro toy marked your childhood?
In an economy like this one, people are turning to retro toys, at least according to today's story.
I remember playing with a few of the toys mentioned: the Slinky, Lincoln Logs in that cardboard oatmeal-style container and the Hungry Hungry Hippos game (I remember my big sister snapping my fingers in the hippo's mouth). Colorforms, however, are not ringing a bell. I might be too young for that.
The story inspired me to do a search for classic and nostalgic toys. A bunch of them I haven't thought about in years popped up: Tiddly Winks, the board game Pay Day, Pick-Up Sticks (made from wood, not plastic), the cat's cradle yarn game, etc. Never actually had an erector set, but I remember them. Amazingly enough, all these toys are still for sale online.
I'm almost embarrassed to admit the toy that marked my childhood -- My Little Pony -- probably doesn't qualify as classic. I think I had about 30 of those things.
So what's the favorite classic toy of your childhood?
Comments:
Can we call Legos classic yet?
I totally have an erector set in my closet. I might have to break that bad boy out and build something during the holidays.
And if the Chinese invented it, it must be a classic. I remember playing with Tangrams at my grandparents' house from a very young age.
Posted by: adam at November 26, 2008 10:21 AM
Yep, had to check out the link to Tangrams, but now I remember them!
Posted by: Bethany Clough at November 26, 2008 10:24 AM
Lite Brite. Lincoln Logs. Shrinky Dinks. Barbie.
Posted by: Heather at November 26, 2008 10:54 AM
For me it was mostly G.I. Joe and Transformers. I noticed the other day that they are starting to release some of the orginal G.I. Joe toys, I assume it's for the movie that's coming out next year.
Posted by: Michael at November 26, 2008 10:56 AM
Lincoln Logs, no question, Bethany. Kept me and my brother occupied for DAYS. (See, I'm reading your blog!!!)
Posted by: Donald Munro at November 26, 2008 11:35 AM
I don't doubt you, Donald! Seems like everyone had Lincoln Logs. And Heather, yes, I loved Lite Brites. My sister swallowed one and the doctor didn't understand what it was.
Posted by: Bethany Clough at November 26, 2008 11:39 AM
Now that I think about it. I think I have a Lite Brite in my closet too. Apparently my closet is the graveyard for all toys classic.
Posted by: adam at November 26, 2008 11:52 AM
What the heck happened to Aggravation?
I have been looking for that game for the last year. Someone give me a heads up PLEASE!!!
Posted by: MsJoey at November 26, 2008 2:25 PM
This one, MsJoey, or perhaps this one?
Posted by: Bethany Clough at November 26, 2008 2:50 PM
I am 75 years old. Growing up during the Great Depression, my favorite toy was a cardboard box. We didn't have the money to buy any of the fantastic things in the toy department at Higbees in Cleveland like electric trains, wind-up tin toys, wood-burning sets, etc.
A box, especially the big ones could be made into a puppet theatre, a submarine, a spaceship, a tank, or almost anything.
The next toy on any kid's lst was a parachute made from a handkerchief with a string attached to each corner and tied to a stone. You threw it as high as you could, and once in a while you'd be rewarded with a nice, realistic descent. We did sometimes have the means to buy penny balsa gliders from the ice cream man, which started many of us on a lifelong love of flying.
The most high-tech toy I ever got for Christmas was what was called a "Toc-Toc" boat, a small tin boat about four inches long with a little boiler under which a small lighted candle was placed in a tray. It had two tubes from the boiler to the rear into which you squirted some water. When it turned to steam, it blew a puff out the back, propelling the boat forward. The top of the boiler, which was made from very thin brass sheet would then pop down and as the water reheated instantly allowed new cold water to be sucked up the tubes. It would putt-putt-putt abound the bathtub for as long as the candle lasted.
Today, I collect and restore those old toys from the Thirties and Forties...the ones that I could never have as a kid, with over 2,000 in my collection. The cardboard box still rates number one!
Posted by: Uncle Bill at November 28, 2008 10:48 AM
That was fascinating, Uncle Bill. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Bethany Clough at November 28, 2008 11:00 AM
I still have a few of my dolls, Chatty Cathy, and one that scares my husband, Hedda Get Bedda. Her head turns and she has 3 expressions, happy, measles and sleeping. I still have my Barbie and Ken with their wardrobe case! What do I do with this stuff?!!!!!!
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