by Kathryn Hood

Created on: April 14, 2009

Back in the days of a simpler life, when neighbors cared for each other, and our world wasn't a place of angry violence, we had uncomplicated toys that entertained us for hours. Barbie dolls, GI Joe, bicycles, rollerskates, homemade kites, hula hoops, slinkys, jump ropes, basketballs, footballs, tincan phones, and etch-a-sketch are just a few of the many toys used to keep children happy and content. Imagination was the key to all adventure and fun. Parents encouraged "make believe", "fantasy" and "daydreams". Childhood was the time to enjoy creativity, not the time to wallow in reality. Kids didn't have to worry about the "play guns" being considered possible "real life" weapons. Playing "Cowboys and Indians" and playing "Soldier" didn't have the consequence factor of being shot and killed, like it does now. Toys consisted of whatever lay at hand.

One of the favorite "toys" in many households was the pots and pans in the bottom drawer of the stove. Beating on the bottom of the pots with a wooden spoon brought hours of delight for the musical child. The happier the child...the more noise created. And if a grown-up put candies (like M&Ms) in the pan the level of enjoyment rose by leaps and bounds. Boys and girls loved to "cook" with these special ingredients.

An old blanket thrown over a card table quickly turned into a fort. Swords were made from cardboard cutouts wrapped in foil. And stilts were made by many neighborhood craftsmen for the kids to enjoy. Girls dressed up in their mothers clothes and held tea parties for their family and friends (including their favorite dolls and teddy bears). Clothes pins and a milk jug provided kids with a laugh-filled morning, while marbles and a piece of string kept the children out of trouble most of the afternoon.

Life was simpler and so were the toys. Technology is great but it also brought forth complications. Now we need to decide whether a game is suitable for young ages, instead of making the major decision of who goes first. We have to take into consideration the moral and political impact that our "toys" will have upon our children and our community before purchasing the items we want. And we have to think about the future reprecussions our purchases may make upon the mental stability of our children (i.e. will the video game cause anxiety or aggression behavior disorder?). Toys now are investments in child rearing. Have we totally lost our capability of letting our imaginations create uncomplicated fun?

It's time to bring back the pogo sticks, pick up sticks, and bamboo fishing poles. Let's entertain our children with the toys of yesteryear. Have fun fngerpainting a masterpiece, or coloring a multi-colored page and turning it into a fan. Make a rubberband gun (or a slingshot) and shoot at the toy army pieces in your toybox. Get out your broom handle pony, strap on your cap guns, put on your cowboy hat and ride around the block while basking in the good-hearted amusement of your neighbors. Keep your toys simple and your heart full of delightul fun.

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