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

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...)

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.