Top Ten Toys of All Time

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.

Inspired by an article on the 5 Best Toys of All Time from Wired's GeekDad, I started thinking about what really makes a great toy. Not the flashiest, not the most expensive, not the one with the most batteries — but the ones kids actually return to again and again.

The List

1. Cardboard Box — It's a spaceship. It's a castle. It's a race car. No batteries required, and it costs nothing.
2. Sticks — Swords, wands, fishing poles, building materials. Nature's multi-tool, free in any backyard.
3. Blankets — Fort-building essential. Drape one over a table and you've got an instant hideout.
4. Wooden Blocks — Towers, cities, domino runs. Simple, durable, and endlessly reconfigurable.
5. Dolls & Action Figures — From My Little Ponies to G.I. Joes, small figures spark big storytelling.
6. Balls — Bouncy, kickable, throwable. A good ball works indoors and out, solo or with a crowd.
7. Art Supplies — Crayons, paper, and a little imagination go further than any coloring book.
8. Dress-Up Clothes — Old scarves, hats, and costume jewelry turn an ordinary afternoon into a theatrical production.
9. Kitchen Pots & Pans — Before they're for cooking, they're for drumming, stacking, and pretending.
10. Books — The ultimate portable adventure. A good picture book never gets old.

The common thread? None of these need batteries, none come with a screen, and most cost very little. The best toys leave room for the child to do the work — imagining, building, and creating their own fun.