While doing some “research” for the Mother/Daughter retreat
in April here at camp, I came across a museum I want to visit: Strong National
Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. Yeah, I guess I’ve not quite grown up…
Within that museum is the National Toy Hall of Fame. Every
year, one to four toys are inducted into the Hall of Fame based upon criteria
including widely recognizable, well remembered, has spanned more than one
generation and fosters learning and creativity. The only exceptions are toys
that have changed toy design or play, even though they may not have been around
for a long time or are universally liked. Intrigued, I got a book from the
library about the toys in this Hall of Fame.
With Christmas only eight days away, learning about toys is
perfect! When I was little, Katey and I would sit for hours with the Sears
catalog and initial every item we wanted. As you can well imagine, most of the
toy section was covered with M’s and K’s. Sadly, with the invention of the
internet, we no longer enjoy Sears catalogs. Equally sadly, I not longer list
toys on my list (except board games). But reading this book, I’ve almost
considered an exception when it comes to my favorites:
1.
Etch A Sketch: I had one of these for years –
nearly decades – before one of the knobs came off and we threw it away. I
wasn’t very good at it by any means, but it’s a really neat toy! And when you
learn how the thing actually operates, it’s enough to make you go out and buy
another for old time’s sake!2.
Wooden blocks: I had a set of these. In fact,
they may still be in the attic somewhere for future grandkids to play with.
Recently I saw a set advertised that came in a “puzzle”. Put the 50 blocks
together and you get a map of the United States. Listed on the blocks are facts
from the states: capital, bird, tree, etc. If it weren’t $100, I would have
already bought it.3.
Board games: Those in the Hall of Fame are
Scrabble, Monopoly, Candy Land (the game that led me to the museum’s website),
Checkers, Chess and Life. I actually own all but the game of Life (which I
don’t like playing anyhow…except on the Wii). One day, though, I would like to
get on Ebay and get another Candy Land just like mine…my cards are very worn
out!4.
Erector Set: I played with my dad’s for hours
and hours. If I could find some old sets with the really good pieces, I
wouldn’t mind having them now. I could still spend hours putting things
together!5.
Mr. Potato Head: Since he did originate from
Rhode Island just like I did, we have a special bond! But nothing will ever be
like my first Mr. Potato Head that looked like a grandpa next to my sister’s
newer one. He even had “grandpa glasses”, which I would wear on my own face out
to the grocery store and other public locations. My mother still brings that up
at times…perhaps I embarrassed her just a little.
To be honest, it’s hard to choose my favorites from among the
53 toys in the Hall of Fame. I’ve owned (or possessed in the case of a stick or
a box) 38 of them. And reading about them brings back lots of fond memories!
And makes me wonder what I would suggest for induction into the Hall of Fame.
Paperdolls? A sled? Bubbles? Winnie the Pooh?
Or my most favorite toy ever: Little People! I mean, they are the
perfect toy. You can play house, school, airport, library, zoo or just about
anything with them. Plus, you can put them in order of color, size, hair,
freckles or no freckles…well, just ask Katey if you want to know how many ways
I can sort Little People! And as much as I think the new ones are adorable,
they just don’t sort as well as mine do…
What toy would you put in the Hall of Fame?
