The death of toys for kids

Something I touched on last week, I'd like to take the time today to elaborate on. The death of toys for kids.

When I was a kid, all I did was play with toys. Our mom threw them away when we moved so right before my 13th birthday, I had to grow up fast. However, I wonder how long I would have played with toys after that. I remember at 13 and 14 BEGGING for Ninja Turtles toys. But due to them having "mutant" in the title, we were never allowed to play with them.

I can't say for sure when I got out of toys completely. I remember playing with cereal box toys at 13 and 14 as well. By 16, I know for sure I was down with them, but I wasn't embarrassed to show folks I still kept some on my shelves all thru high school.

My point is, it wasn't embarrassing to play with toys back when I was a kid. However, in today's world, I see children playing less with toys and more with video and mobile games instead.

Sure I sound like the old codger who only talks about "back in the day" but I really think that should be a huge concern for our youth!

Toys brought out the creative side in us. It forced us to use our imaginations, be more creative. Dang! I can't tell you how many dirt mounds were mountains, ditches were caves and bushes were secret lairs to a villains evil base!

We were SO creative back then and I credit that to the toys.

But these are different times we live in. Cartoons don't just come on from 3pm-4pm on weekdays and 6am-10am Saturdays. They're on 24/7 And the whole "video games will rot your brain" mentality has been thrown out the window by us Gen X'ers who love video games just as much as our kids!

But look at the kid in that picture. Look at him. He's really happy. That was me. I was just like that kid. My action figures went out every roadtrip. I loved getting toys for Xmas. Most of my fondest memories over the holidays was getting toys!

I'd like to say when I have kids I'll be different but who knows. Maybe it's just the world we live in today. One things for sure though. If my kid decides he wants an action figure playset instead of the newest video game, I'd be hard pressed not to spoil him.

Just a random ramble for the day. Have a good one folks!