Top Ten Toys of All Time

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My sister and I grew up as typical 80s and 90s kids with a host of crazy crap my parents and grandparents gave us to play with. As nostalgia hoarders, we’ve kept almost all of it. In fact, just the other week we looked through boxes and boxes of everything from My Little Ponies and Polly Pockets to bouncy balls and zoo animals. It was a trip.

Christmas Morning

Despite having all these wonderful gems, we spent a large amount outside playing with the simplest of things. Isn’t that how it always goes?

Inspired by an article Dad sent me on the 5 Best Toys of All Time , here is my list of the Top Ten Best Toys a kid could wish for, because really–it’s all about imagination (and because the batteries always run out).

Enjoy, and Happy Top Ten Tuesday !

1. Box

Box is awesome because Box can be so many different things. Want to take a trip to the moon? Launch in Box! Want to cook a meal for your dolls? Cook it on Box! Want to make an awesome fort? Make a room in Box! You get the picture. Box is also great because it can be decorated, mutilated, or accessorized without many negative repercussions. It can also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Do not underestimate the power of Box.

2. Balloon

Balloons are amazing because you can put so many different things inside of them. The best is, of course, water. Water balloons are one of those things that make kids go off their rocker, and not just because it’s fun to peg your sister in the face. They are also fun to throw back and forth and launch in a sling. One of summer heat’s best remedies.

But let’s say it’s not summer or your mom is not too keen on picking up tiny pieces of plastic balloon all over the yard. Unless you have access to a helium tank, your own stinky breath is the next best choice. Many a husband, boyfriend, and child were created using a balloon full of air and a permanent marker. These balloon people were also used for rousing games of “we should be sleeping” volleyball in bed.

Sidenote: In late elementary school it became popular to put a few cups of flour into a balloon and carry it around as a “flour baby.” It seems ridiculous now, but at the time—very cool.

3. Ball

Kate and Dad

Even for the most un-athletic child (me), a great bouncy ball is enough to stay satisfied for a good hour while stranded on an errand with Mom. Kelly and I hoarded bouncy balls, especially the attractive ones. Of course they were always getting lost in parking lots or at the grocery store and drove everyone crazy, but they were awesome.

Tennis balls and even basketballs and baseballs were something we regularly pulled out to toss back and forth. There is nothing more simple (or American!) than a good game of catch.

4. Water

Swimming in our horse trough pool

Water is kind of a cheat because it can mean so many different things. My sister and I basically lived for playing with or in water. I see this now with my 3 year old niece. She consistently asks for a cup of water to play with, pouring it into different bowls and cups, stirring it around while “baking”, feeding it to her brother.

There’s something irresistible about being wet when you’re a kid. Swimming is (obviously) the best thing ever. Slip and slides can be just as fun (minus the inevitable rocks tearing up your bum).

Bath time was a long affair in our house. Mom remembers us being in the tub for hour s . What were we doing?! Summer rainstorms sent us streaking out the door. Mention water parks, boogie boarding in the ocean, pools, garden sprinklers and we were in hysterics.

Water=best toy ever.

5. Dirt

Tage

Dirt is best served with a healthy dose of #4. Boys tend to be dirtier (Lord help me), but Kelly and I made our fair share of mud-pies. Studies show that kids who play with dirt have better immune systems. My nephew Tage must be healthy as an ox as dirt it’s his #1 favorite food, especially if it’s served with a squishy bug or piece of trash. One time Zoe pulled a thousand legger out of his mouth. Delicious.

6. Blanket

Me and Kell 1988

Blanket is great because it is one of the best roofs for a fort. Blanket is also very useful for making dresses, skirts, picnics, capes, flags, and ship sails. Depending on the size of blanket, it can also be used to make makeshift bandages for pretend (or real) wounds.

Multiple blankets are great for making cozy nests in the living room to watch some of your favorite childhood movies .

7. Chalk

Chalk is best utilized if you have a paved driveway. I clearly remember the day our driveway was (finally) paved. Suddenly our bikes, roller-blades, and chalk became a lot more exciting.

Chalk is great for making roads to ride your bike and places like stores, banks, and schools to stop by. It’s also great for general picture making and writing large messages in the driveway for your parents to see when they pull in. Examples include: “Welcome Home Dad” and “We want a puppy!”

8. String

String is neat because now you have a leash for your younger sibling or imaginary pet. String is also helpful for forts or fishing off the front porch or couch. There are many things to do with string. In your teenage years you can use string to make a barrier if you share a room. Just make sure you’re the one with access to the exit.

9. Snow

Snow affects us so much as children that even as adults, it makes us happy despite its terrible inconvenience. I admit that I’m not a huge fan of the white stuff anymore, but like every kid, snow used to be one of the best things that could ever happen. We all prayed for blizzards every winter, and not just to get out of school. Snow creates a world of new playing; sledding, forts, snowball fights, and building snowmen are activities you can only do if the weather cooperates.

10. Pet

Kell and new kittens

Stuffed animals are fun, but the real thing is so much better. Pets can serve as everything from your baby to your Barbie’s horse. If you’ve had the pet from its youth, it will probably tolerate almost anything. Pets make great friends and playful companions and will never tattle when you break a glass. Pets are the best.

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10 Comments

Filed under Motley Mama

Tagged as Lists , Things

Barb March 8, 2011 at 6:01 pm So very true!! This “creative play” was our world when we were growing up. Not to mention blocks of all sorts, trikes and bikes and “outdoor games”. Time to get back to the good things in life. Reply

So very true!! This “creative play” was our world when we were growing up. Not to mention blocks of all sorts, trikes and bikes and “outdoor games”. Time to get back to the good things in life.

Kelly March 8, 2011 at 6:51 pm I love the picture montage! Reply

I love the picture montage!

Aunt Jen March 8, 2011 at 9:27 pm Reading this puts a smile on my face and should remind all of us how much joy the simple things in life bring us! Good job! Reply

Reading this puts a smile on my face and should remind all of us how much joy the simple things in life bring us! Good job!

zoedawn March 8, 2011 at 10:18 pm Um, it was actually a centipede…far worse tasting than a thousand legger :) Reply

Um, it was actually a centipede…far worse tasting than a thousand legger :)

G & Queen E March 8, 2011 at 11:04 pm We just read this together and cracked up. As usual, love your writing. Keep.it.coming! Reply

We just read this together and cracked up. As usual, love your writing. Keep.it.coming!

Nerf Longstrike March 9, 2011 at 4:32 am sometimes we did not realize that so may simple things can make us happy. Many of us think the more expensive the toy, more better. Reply

sometimes we did not realize that so may simple things can make us happy. Many of us think the more expensive the toy, more better.

Jennifer Jo March 9, 2011 at 8:28 am A great list. Once the kids are a little older, “bike,” or “wheels,” belongs on the list, too. Reply

A great list.

Once the kids are a little older, “bike,” or “wheels,” belongs on the list, too.

Papa March 9, 2011 at 11:36 am I look like a girl in that first picture. Reply

I look like a girl in that first picture.

bec March 9, 2011 at 6:50 pm I almost choked on my ice cream from laughing at the horse trough “pool”. And I have #11- water/food dishes for pets. Reply

I almost choked on my ice cream from laughing at the horse trough “pool”. And I have #11- water/food dishes for pets.

dr perfection March 10, 2011 at 11:28 pm Papa, you are pretty. Reply

Papa, you are pretty.

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