OLD-SKOOL TOYS
(Posted 2010-02-15 15:29:02 by ArchPaladin)

Feeling somewhat silly today, I decided to look around for vendors of the
classic toys that you don't find in toy stores anymore.  You know, things
like old wooden block sets.  Apparently you don't have to dig too deep with
Google to find these guys [ http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/ ]
[backtobasicstoys.com].

I wonder why toys of this nature have fallen by the wayside - but at the
same time I think I know the answer.  Toys of this nature do have a bit of
a hazard to them, and require some parental supervision.  But who has the
time in our busy society, particularly when the path of least resistance is
the TV?

It's a shame, I think.  I have no problem with video games or other such
modern-type amusements.  And I don't even have a problem with parents that
eschew the "retro" stuff for electronic entertainment (in moderation, of
course).  What I do think though, is that there is some value to having a
toy that is a _physical object_, and requires interaction as such. 
Something that activates the kid's imagination in a non-prescribed manner. 
How else are you going to foster creativity?

And I'm talking the toys for the 8-12 year old crowd here - the ages where
they've grown past the small, brightly colored, noisy plastic stuff, but
still require objects with some limitations.

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