Today's Toy market

[Amythist]

Ok,
What is up with the lack of awsome toys in the stores now.I been looking around for my sons 6th b-day present...and nothing seems worth it...all cheaply made and nothing under 40 bucks...I remember toys being the shit when I was a kid....

[Polar Bear]

Fucking aye.

I have a theory on why this is though....

Look at the kids shows we had back then. For boys, T.V. was a veritable goldmine of bad ass concepts, cool characters, and awesome battles fought between good and evil.

What do kids have today that compares to that? A cartoon where you catch little cute critters and basically make them cock-fight? So of course, the toys based on these lame ass shows reflect the same focus-on-originality-more-so-than-fun formula. It's horrendous, and I feel bad for kids.

G.I.Joe...Transformers...Thundercats...Silverhawks....these shows weren't exactly original in their scope (good team vs. bad team..mix..repeat) but its a fucking kids show. They're in it for the fun, not for breaking new ground.

And that's just the boys...I won't speak for the girls here, but I'm sure the same disturbing trend of originality-high conceptual-ism has all but taken the place of good old fashioned fun there as well.

[Jenn]

I agree with you, amythist. It was hard doing all of the Christmas shopping for my son because the toys were just crap. I learned my lesson, though. We spent a lot of money last year, and all he plays with really are the action figures, flying helicopters, and nerf guns. Those, IMO, are the best toys yet for boys his age.

[Amythist]

Right! I spent a but load on things he doesn't even take a 2nd look at. Plus at his age range his taste changes so frequently....he is however passionate about his transformers...he'll I am to...lol they are the shizzz nit! I walked toys are us at christmas and i found nothing appealing. I have to agree with polar though. Our shows back in the day were way better then what is out now....I do exclude spongebob though!!!! I will watch the hell out of spongebob!

[Jenn]

Right! I spent a but load on things he doesn't even take a 2nd look at. Plus at his age range his taste changes so frequently....he is however passionate about his transformers...he'll I am to...lol they are the shizzz nit! I walked toys are us at christmas and i found nothing appealing. I have to agree with polar though. Our shows back in the day were way better then what is out now....I do exclude spongebob though!!!! I will watch the hell out of spongebob!

Oh girl, I don't like the transformers toys they have out. My son drives me crazy because he has these ones where they turn into cars/trucks, and then robots, and he constantly wants me to change them for him, lol.

[Josie]

*nods in agreement* We bought almost no toys for our son. He has a bunch of crap from family though... and it just sits in the corner, never played with. I think the problem with the stuff they have now is that it requires no imagining to make it fun.

A plastic bowl can become the evil living hole from the original star wars that had teeth and ate people... or it could be a helmet... etc. For this reason, my son's usual toys consist of wooden spoons, stainless steal tongs, old shaver handles, a pair of old sweat shorts with a REALLY long drawstring, and of course, tupperware.

The crap they market to kids now is good for the first couple plays, and then it's just the same old thing over and over, so they want something new... hence the problem of the kid never being happy with all the stuff they have.

The simpler, the better. But the crap they're pumping out is all tricked out and way over stimulating with colors, lights, and sound.. it's just ridiculous.

:1:

[Amythist]

yup yup!!!! I look for things for my infant to play with and its like you expect a baby to understand all this...so i just save yogart cups and such.... he luvs remotes though...hahah so i went and bought him his own universal remote.....he thinks he is the king now!!!! hahaha . as long as he can throw it a good distance he is happy....

[Jenn]

yup yup!!!! I look for things for my infant to play with and its like you expect a baby to understand all this...so i just save yogart cups and such.... he luvs remotes though...hahah so i went and bought him his own universal remote.....he thinks he is the king now!!!! hahaha . as long as he can throw it a good distance he is happy....

Awww! My son loved cell phones. I had to get 2 replaced because they somehow wounded up in the cats water dish, or the toilet. But he thought he was a big shot, lol.

[Josie]

yup yup!!!! I look for things for my infant to play with and its like you expect a baby to understand all this...so i just save yogart cups and such.... he luvs remotes though...hahah so i went and bought him his own universal remote.....he thinks he is the king now!!!! hahaha . as long as he can throw it a good distance he is happy....

Hehe, my FIL did the remote thing too. Eagan was always fighting him for his (we don't have any at home), so he went and got him his own special remote. Too cute.

[Amythist]

hahahahah...oh yeah..i feel ya! i just replaced mine due to the drool factor!! to much moister! they always seem to get a hold of it in such a sneaky fashion.lol

[Jenn]

hahahahah...oh yeah..i feel ya! i just replaced mine due to the drool factor!! to much moister! they always seem to get a hold of it in such a sneaky fashion.lol

hahaha.. that is so true. *sigh* kids

[KommieKat]

Fucking aye.



...I won't speak for the girls here, but I'm sure the same disturbing trend of originality-high conceptual-ism has all but taken the place of good old fashioned fun there as well.

Yes, seems like fun has taken a step back to let in consumerism and consumption-ism.

Pop music bands out here must make their music to be used for CM's and ad's.
So sad really.

[Amythist]

yuppers....hehehehttp://http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r43/lovesong2222/together/1-3-2008-05-1.jpg

[Jenn]

yuppers....hehehehttp://http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r43/lovesong2222/together/1-3-2008-05-1.jpg

I dont know how old your child is(not sure if you stated in this thread, but too lazy to look) but starting at 3, my son started taking a big interest in art stuff. So I went to target and got everything art for him, crayons, markers, glue, paints, popsicle sticks, feathers, etc, and I made a art drawer for him... he spends hours upon hours just making things for our fridge and his grandparents. Its great.

[Amythist]

i got a bit to go there on that one...he is 11 months old...right now everything goes straight to the mouth.....including feet...lol he luvs peoples feet...lol

[Josie]

he luvs peoples feet...lol

What is up with that ? My son is 16 months and if we're not careful, we'll wake up with him slobbering all over our toes or nibbling on the big one.

:khi2d:

[Amythist]

HAHAHAHAHA I KNOW IT. I will be sitting on the computer and next thing i know i look down and uckkkkkkkkkk slimed!!!! he will follow me all around the house chasing my feet....I guess he is gonna be a foot man...watch out ladies

[Chriss]

And that's just the boys...I won't speak for the girls here, but I'm sure the same disturbing trend of originality-high conceptual-ism has all but taken the place of good old fashioned fun there as well.

Its just as bad for the girls. There's nothing original anymore. The dolls that come out are too slutty (ie. Bratz) and its SO hard to find something for the not-so-girly girl like my daughter. Sure, she loves her princesses just as much as the next, but if you ask her what she wants to watch, she'll tell you Transformers or Spiderman lol...go figure.


I think the problem with the stuff they have now is that it requires no imagining to make it fun.

The simpler, the better. But the crap they're pumping out is all tricked out and way over stimulating with colors, lights, and sound.. it's just ridiculous.

I totally agree with this. A child needs to be able to use his or her imagination. That's what makes all of the toys we had as kids fun!


yup yup!!!! I look for things for my infant to play with and its like you expect a baby to understand all this...so i just save yogart cups and such.... he luvs remotes though...hahah so i went and bought him his own universal remote.....he thinks he is the king now!!!! hahaha . as long as he can throw it a good distance he is happy....

That's cute! Lex used to get ahold of my cell phone. No matter where I put it, or what kind of protective device I put on it, it would end up frying because of the drool...so I bought her one of her own!


i got a bit to go there on that one...he is 11 months old...right now everything goes straight to the mouth.....including feet...lol he luvs peoples feet...lol

My daughter was the same way! I don't know what it is, but alot of kids just love feet! ::sigh:: I miss that age. My little one turned 4 on the 19th...I miss that baby phase where they are just absorbing everything around them!

[lianhan_shee]

I had the same delima when I went shopping for my daughter for the holidays but i do think I made a great choice.. All of the toys pretty much didnt leave anything for my daughter to do .. play with it sits on the floor so someone can step on it for the lack of interest.. So since she is always playing with my good camera. i went out and bought her a very inexpensive digital camera, that was it .. she loves it. She tells me that she wants to go all over the world and takes pictures. which in her playing she does.. She'll come to me with her worldly pictures and we put them on photoshop she picks the ones that she wants. then we edit them, fixing bad spots, print them and put them in a scrap book.. the only expence that i have is materials for the scrapbook.
but the time that i spend with her is amazing.. she 7 and is learning so much about photography and the computer. i leave her alone to "work" on things. watching her concentrate makes me giggle.. she does turn up with some grat pics though...

[Shade]

I agree with PB on this one. we need to have some decent shows. however, the few that are decent for kids ... they fuck up the toys. Lets take naruto. very actiony, hero's good and evil, all that crap. The toys are all on stands, and they have one action. break bricks or throw motion. now i loved chop attacion cyclops like the rest of the kids, but the whole line of toys shouldnt be that way. We always had the main one, and like the 3 knock offs with the action type thing. hell i still got my battle damage heman

Girls toys are pathetic. Caphador Cally? Watch me pee wanda? I took a dump the size of GDP inus? little Pukeing Petra? i mean when did the garbage pail kids become exceptable as a 5 yearolds doll? Then they got bratz.. Yea lets teach my daughter how to be a complete bitch...because we all know thats what a 12 yearold needs...more fucking attidute!

I should piss on the people who make the boy toys and bitch slap the girl toy makers.... what fucking rejects. At this point the girl toys are becoming more cool by my gens standard then the boy toys. Cause we would totally gross a girl out.

[Saucy]

Buy your son a book.

[Amythist]

HE DOES GET BOOKS ALL THE TIME AND PUZZLES....

[sreeja]

Todays toy market is so amazing.The dolls are look like so original.Now the toys work with battery is also coming.It is so nice.Children's are so crazy about this?

[Amythist]

They just suck anymore...simple as that.

[Celtic Crusher]

There are good toys out there, but they cost a good few dollars. The key, in my eyes is to start them on sport activities from a young age. Give a sporty kid a football or a basket ball and they get a lot more use out of it that an action figure.

But the problem is that all toys are gone digital. If you want something to interest your kids, you gotta sit them down in front of the idiot box, stick a joypad in their hands and watch them become zombies. Companies don't make money from action figures and dolls. Computer games and dvds are what bring in the cheques.

The alternative is to spend a little time with your kids. Do what they wanna do. Sure it's easier to let the t.v. look after them for a while. But the out come of spending even a few hours a day with your offspring will be far greater and far more beneficial than any inanimate object can bring.

I don't have to worry about that for a while though. All I need to do is crinkle something in front of my 6 month old son's eyes and he's in his element.

[InterStella]

There are good toys out there, but they cost a good few dollars. The key, in my eyes is to start them on sport activities from a young age. Give a sporty kid a football or a basket ball and they get a lot more use out of it that an action figure.

But the problem is that all toys are gone digital. If you want something to interest your kids, you gotta sit them down in front of the idiot box, stick a joypad in their hands and watch them become zombies. Companies don't make money from action figures and dolls. Computer games and dvds are what bring in the cheques.

The alternative is to spend a little time with your kids. Do what they wanna do. Sure it's easier to let the t.v. look after them for a while. But the out come of spending even a few hours a day with your offspring will be far greater and far more beneficial than any inanimate object can bring.

I don't have to worry about that for a while though. All I need to do is crinkle something in front of my 6 month old son's eyes and he's in his element.

Couldn't agree more. My back garden is loaded with goalposts, hula-hoops, footballs, tennis/badminton gear. The only problem we encounter is Boss of Me practising dropkicks and losing 5 footballs into random neighbouring gardens in the space of an hour. I think she does this on purpose. Grrr.

Other than that, she has swimming lessons and is on the (lengthy) waiting list for gymnastics tutoring at a local club.

Between all of ^^^ that and the parks around here, my girls are quite active. Ergo, they are completely knackered by 6.30 every evening.

Just the way it should be!

[Violet]

Eh, my son still prefers a cardboard box to anything. Lately he's been using some sort of keychain/fiber-optic light and a binocular end-piece and he has created an entire species from them.

I've learned it's a waste of money. His imagination is better than anything I can buy.

[InterStella]

Eh, my son still prefers a cardboard box to anything. Lately he's been using some sort of keychain/fiber-optic light and a binocular end-piece and he has created an entire species from them.

I've learned it's a waste of money. His imagination is better than anything I can buy.

Lol... kids are great that way! BoM will not allow me to bin anything that might prove useful in the 'make & do' bag. That kid can make ANYTHING. It's not always obvious what it's supposed to be, but she thinks they rock.

"Look what I made!"
"Oh yeah! What is it?"
"Muuuum.... look at it! It's a spaceship with a cat-flap for cats and daleks"
"Wow *nods slowly* You are goooood"

[KommieKat]

Eh, my son still prefers a cardboard box to anything. Lately he's been using some sort of keychain/fiber-optic light and a binocular end-piece and he has created an entire species from them.

I've learned it's a waste of money. His imagination is better than anything I can buy.


Lol... kids are great that way! BoM will not allow me to bin anything that might prove useful in the 'make & do' bag. That kid can make ANYTHING. It's not always obvious what it's supposed to be, but she thinks they rock.

"Look what I made!"
"Oh yeah! What is it?"
"Muuuum.... look at it! It's a spaceship with a cat-flap for cats and daleks"
"Wow *nods slowly* You are goooood"

Blocks are great. My boy loved blocks and making something with them.
Puzzles as well.

Clay is good stuff too. Anything that is hands on.
Kids also love cooking. Using dough to bake pretzels is like the clay.
They love to squeeze it, make shapes and lastly eat the results of their creations.

[Jenn]

Blocks are great. My boy loved blocks and making something with them.
Puzzles as well.

Clay is good stuff too. Anything that is hands on.
Kids also love cooking. Using dough to bake pretzels is like the clay.
They love to squeeze it, make shapes and lastly eat the results of their creations.

My son loves blocks. He seriously has like 3 toy chests full of toys, and wont even go near them for days..but his big buckets of blocks are always out. Playdoh is wonderful, but it's messy and I found that moonsand is a huge hit too.

He also has a thing for cameras. I bought him a childrens digital camera for xmas.. one you can take real pictures and put them on the computer too, and he LOVES taking pictures of bugs, cars, etc.

The one thing that he really loves though, and I find htis with most kids his age, is to color, draw, and make things out of popsicle sticks. He LOVES art.