Posted on 09/28/2005 5:58:42 PM PDT by pissant
For many of us, being a child was no picnic. Without the resources to take opulent family vacations, we instead spent our youthful summers painting fences, mowing the lawn, weeding gardens, washing the dogs, cleaning our rooms and picking berries to earn a pocketful of change.
When School started back up in September, the joy of seeing our friends again was quickly doused by the 2 hours of homework each night (Parochial School..ya know).
But the one thing we could rely on to put that spring back in our little feet was the trunk full of TOYS. Yes, those magical toys. Here at the Pissant Institute for Toy History and Youth (PITHY) we've compiled the definitive list of the coolest toys with which we pleasantly whiled away our precious free time. Sorry girls, none of your toys made the list (though a little Pissant did cut the hair off of his sister's Barbie).
Top 7 Childhood Toys
7. Major Matt Mason
The astronaut doll. With space helmut and rocket capsule! Inspired by NASA (or was it David Bowie?)
6. Stretch Armstrong
A goo filled, stretchable man. Good exercise, but the real joy was cutting him open to see what was inside...
5. Little Green Army Men
Countless hours setting up the armies for the ferocious rubber band wars with your brother.
4. Radio Flyer Wagon
The best part was loading 2 into the wagon and heading down a hill, only to realize how poorly they steered!
3. Legos
You could build some pretty nifty forts for your Little Green Army Men
2. Hot Wheels
Oh, the pride from having the fastest car in the neigborhood. Unfortunately, the orange track pieces made a fine whip for mom to beat us with!!
1. Tonka Toys
From the Road Grader to the Steam Shovel. Playing in the dirt and mud was every boys favorite pastime!
And let me guess.....short shorts! LOL
Or empty all the powder from the whole roll into a jar and throw a match in it!
My list, in no particular order:
Crash Cars: Little plastic cars you put together with a spring inside. Roll 'em against the wall and they explode. Put 'em back together and repeat.
Tricky Walkers: Pull the string and they walk up the wall with suction cups.
Rockem Sockem Robots: Nuff said.
Kenner Bridge and Panel Building Set: Build roads, bridges, buildings, etc.
Slinky: Nuff said.
Mattel Varoom Engine: Put it on your bike and pretend it's a motor cycle.
"The Rifleman" Rifle: With that big ol' round cocking thing. Just like Lucas McCane's.
Give a Show Projector: Show chincy movies in your basement.
Auroral HO Racing: Nuff said.
After I sign out I'll think of 10 more.
Still un-degraded Stretch Armstrongs in landfills throughout the US! ;o)
Did you know that Silly Putty will no longer pick up pictures?
Forgot one more. The Mattel deringer in the belt buckle that sprung out and fired a Greeny Stick'em cap when you flexed your stomach muscle.
We made a monster slingshot between the branches of an old peach tree. Major Matt Mason almost made it to orbit!
My daughter has tns of Weebles. She loves them.
#1. Swords and trash lids. Great stuff!
Well, I'm not surprised! Barbie is emaciated. It's lucky she can pick up a hairbrush! And way too self-absorbed. Jokes on Samantha, though, they say Ken is gay! LOL.
Remember Malibu Barbie and Stacie? Everyone had to have one. That's the phrase I use for Hollywood's finest, all the ladies, want to be like Malibu Barbie, really tan, really blond, straight hair, and so thin ribs show.
Any kid who did today some of the things we did in the 50s would find himself in Gitmo.
Think October Sky with the zinc dust and sulpher, minus the science.
You might have liked Chrissy (not that you played with dolls!). Very hip. I wanted red hair for years after that!
The baking powder activated frog men and nautilus submarine. (My Mom didn't appreciate it when I tried them out in her beta fish tank!)
Creepy Crawlers and Incredible Edibles ...
Be careful or you'll shoot your eye out!!!
Words to live by!!
Goodnight To all!
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