Low Tech Toys?

hypertex asks: "Remember those cardboard tubes you used to look through and see all patterns the crystals produced? I've been looking for a kaleidoscope (for my 3-yr old) and no brick and mortar retailer seems to carry them. Even finding an knowledgeable employee was difficult. Walmart, Toys R Us, Kay Bee, Discovery and Disney stores are just a few to 'just say no' or 'it's too low tech' How can something so simple fade into obscurity? What else is gone?" What are some of the toys that have such a universal appeal that they should never be removed from the shelves? What toys surprised you when they fell into obscurity and what items have shocked you by their ability to stay on the shelves?

Comments

They sell EVERYTHING on ebay

[ni4882]

If you're having problems finding it in a brick and mortar, buy it on ebay. Trust me, if it exists you can find it on ebay eventually. I'm positive that something as common as a kaleidoscope will be available on ebay. Here are 544 listing on ebay right now... It shouldn't be a huge surprise that some things go out of fashion for a while.

Try an "educational" toy store

[noitalever]

Here in the Portland, OR area, there are OPB Knowledge stores, and Hobby stores, and a couple of "educational" toy stores that have kalidescopes, microscopes, telescopes, chem labs, those foam dinosaurs that you put in water, sea monkeys, etc. Just a thought... That's where you should be shopping for your kids anyway... KB is just one cheap plastic piece of crap after another... (except the new transformers, which are surprisingly hard...)

Ebay

[LowellPorter]

Try Ebay. You may even fine a really nice one there and not a cheap $2 cardboardone.

They're still available

[muon1183]

You just have to know where to look. Most of the stores that cary more educational toys cary at least one model of kaleidoscope. You can even find places that will sell fancy kaleidoscopes with interchangable glass tubes filled with oil and whatever the other stuff is that falls by the window to create the paterns. I'm not sure if you can still find the inexpensive ones that don't use glass, but kaleidoscopes are definetely an excellent toy. Good luck in your search.

Re:They're still available

[muon1183]

Just some information. There's a chain store called The Nature Store (can be found in many malls) which also has an online presencs that carries kaleidoscopes. I was looking for them when I posted, and didn't initially find them, but they have a website at http://thenaturestore.com. Of course, they won't show up if you do a search on their site, but they do in fact cary them, because I stumbled across one through google. The one I found was at http://thenaturestore.com/kidkidtoys.htm. Hope this helps.

Re:I was shocked that I couldn't find a Go board.

[Anonymous Coward]

The main reason you won't find go boards is very few
people actually play go. Odds are if you went into a part
of town that has a high concentration of Chinese people it
would be easier to find one. Most stores still sell
chess and checkers sets (usually under $4) yet they
are basically public domain games and apprently do sell. The main
difference is more people learn/play chess or checkers
than go.

If you want a good old toy, my wife says...

[dpilot]

Try a locally-owned toy store, or toy catalogs such as Hearthsong. The Vermont Country Store catalog also has some "old" toys.

try a museum store

[msouth]

If there is a children's museum or hands-on science museum near try that. I know they have some kaleidoscopes at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, for example.

Ultimate high-end kaleidescopes

[Hell O'World]

Incredible Kaleidescope art! I've seen one in a gallery. Mind blowing.

Re:Erector Sets

[jayrtfm]

I agree. The kit I had included a pretty powerfull AC motor. One of the projects in the manual was basically a working cattle prod.
There's a movie on this sunday, from TV guide:

9:00 PMWCBS Sunday, 15

The Man Who Saved Christmas
120 min.

Jason Alexander stars in this 2002 TV-drama inspired by the true story of toymaker A.C. Gilbert.

In the years before World War I, business isn't booming for Gilbert (Alexander). His father (Edward Asner) wants him to go to medical school, but his wife (Kelly Rowan) and brother (Ari Cohen) persuade him to follow his dream. When A.C.'s Erector Set toy becomes a success, he starts a company that provides a comfortable life for his family. But the Great War comes and so does the Government, asking A.C. to transform his factory into a munitions plant. Not long after, Uncle Sam requests an even greater sacrifice, which threatens Christmas for everyone.