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Low Tech Toys?

Posted by Cliff on from the but-these-things-never-go-out-of-style dept.

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?

3 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. A stick and a piece of string... by MacAndrew · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...was always enough for me.

    Yeah, my kids didn't believe me either.

    Part of the fun of having kids is getting to regress. I love these old unstructured toys that don't break and don't trap you into ding the same thing over and over ad nauseum. Unfortunately I think many have fallen victim to higher labor costs and the demand for greater margins.

    We've emphasized low tech toys (no batteries is ideal) and it hasn't been to hard too find them, especially as these toys have enjoyed a sort of yuppie renaissance. The main problem I have is with the expanding use of plastic and declining quality of the toys, like Lincoln Logs just aren't the same now.

    So the higher end toy stores like Zany Brainy and Imaginarium (regional?) have a higher proportion of sturdy, imagination-driven toys like blocks and alphabet jigsaw puzzles (I like the Lights, Camera, Interaction! line available everywhere, even our Borders bookstore ... they must be old-fashioned, they don't seem to have a website) and the like. Unfortunately, they have higher prices.

    Of course, you can always take refuge in the internet.... Hey, anyone know why they discontinued Weeble Wobbles? ;-) But the best toys are the ones that "made it" -- my kids play with my old Brio train set, which is a wonder of simplicity, and free.

  2. Slinky by WeaponOfChoice · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Awsome staying power for what is essentially a spring...

    I've always had an urge to get a giant one and let it walk down a step pyramid or similar structure...

    --


    It's not that I'm Anti-American - I'm Pro-Freedom
  3. Sear's / Penny's Catalogs. by jag164 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Do they still have the Sears and J.C. Penny's Holiday Catalogs? I remember STUDYING those damn things for hours and days; circling and intialing the things that peaked my interest. I never did get that train I wanted even though I circled it every year.

    Some Toy's of yester year. Even the ones that are still around aren't really the same. Actually, can you just buy lego blocks anymore?

    * Erector Set's
    * Lego Blocks
    * Match Box Cars and the race tracks.
    * Marbles (golly, I liked marbles)
    * Tonka Trucks
    * Adventure People
    * My first ball glove (not my older brother's hand-me-down)
    * Domino Rally