Then & Now ~ Toys

You know that guy! Come on, everyone who grew up in the 70's knows Evel Knivel. I had a toy just like this when I was a tot myself. Beleive me, my Knivel crashed into everything under the sun, more then once in most cases. He flew off the back yard tree, the dog house, and one time off the garage. I jumped everything with that toy. I may have jumped a shark once a la Fonzie. I know I had a toy shark from the GI Joe set and I am betting ol' Evil Knivel made that jump.

I will admit, the toy was indestructible, in spite of my best efforts to jump the world. What a fun toy, but alas, one that did not stand the test of time. I can name others from the Fashioned Challenged Seventies that did not make it either, pet rocks and mood rings come to mind.

But, I did have some toys that did survive the test of time, some that even the techno-kid plays with from time to time. Sure, much has changed, but the basic toys are the same. I am talking about stuff like the green army guys, hot wheel cars, lincoln logs, and of course Legos.

Now the little plastic army guys have had a make-over and are way cooler now, but are still the same really. The t-k plays with them and has fun, and I like playing with the gobs of plastic myself. Of course I always got stuck with the mine sweeper guys as a kid, and I do now too. I really want to play with the tanks, but t-k says he is the only one who knows how to drive them.

Hot Wheel cars are still the same really, just as much fun as always. The tracks are more elaborate but still pretty much the same. We may have a few hundred in the house, what with my old ones, the two bigger boyos collection, and the collection of the t-k. We could have an awesome car show if we would pause long enough to line 'em up and not race them after the cats.

I loved lincoln logs as a kid and the wee one seems to like 'em well enough. I think he likes them more for building barricades for army guys or ramps for cars more than actually building say a log cabin, or barn. But still, he will drag 'em out and we do get to build some cool stuff.

I had a basic Lego set as a kid and had a ton of fun building stuff. I am here to tell ya though, oh how forty years has changed Lego. Now you can build anything and there are tons of sets! I remember when the space stuff came out and I was all googly eyed and drooling. Now, geesh.. you can build all kinds of cool space ships, and pirate ships, and.. well you know, I could go on forever.

The techno-kid loves his legos and will sit and build for hours. I like that, it is good creative fun and so much better than sitting in front of a TV or monitor blowing up pixels and brain cells in video games. Not to say I am against that, far from it, but there is much more to explore and enjoy then just that type of games.

Sure, things have changed. There is a lot more for a kiddo to do now, more stuff pulling for attention. But some things, like fun, creative toys, still can entertain a modern kiddo. It depends on what a parent does, what they teach, and how they teach, a kiddo to play.

I miss the Evel Knivel toy, not so much the pet rock.

 

Comments

[playmobil knights]

This toy looks popular in its year. I'm sure little boys had gain their interest in it.

[Buy 4 Less]

I definitely believe the fact that in choosing toys we need to consider the age of our kids. Its very important for us to know that they are interested with this particular toy.

[Party Bags]

Educational games and activities was a very great idea. This can help such kids to develop their thinking ability and also their creativity. I really love your article.

[plumbing]

Toys used to play a big role in our childhood years. It signifies the times of enjoyment and happiness every time we play around together with them.