"When I was your age, we didn't have ActivBoards, or even white boards. Our teachers wrote on chalkboards."
"When I was in second grade, we didn't have the Internet. We had to look up all of our information in encyclopedias."
"When I was your age, we didn't have CDs, DVDs, iPods, cell phones, DVRs, XBox, or anything like that."
Basically, my kids probably think that I grew up in extreme poverty. I had nothing that they have today, and that seems to blow their mind. They like to ask me what I did for fun when I was little. When I tell them that I played with my sister, played outside, or played board games, I must sound like a total loser! I didn't sit in front of the TV all the time (unless TGIF or an After School Special was on), or play video/computer games.
So, I started thinking about what we actually did play with. It's funny to look back and remember how awesomely amazing we thought these things were...they look so lame now. I'd like to find some of these things again and take them to show my students. I'm pretty sure they would make fun of me.
Remember Teddy Ruxpin? I loved that guy! You could put a cassette tape (remember those?) into his back, and he would "read" a story. The best part? This bear could not only read, but he blinked his eyes AND moved his mouth!!! Now, that was technology at it's finest.
Twenty-five years later, I'm wondering if I ever noticed that his lips didn't move in sync with the story.
Oh, dear. Let's not forget about Trolls! Um, I cannot remember what was so fascinating about these naked, jewel bellied monsters, but the more you had, the cooler you were. They came in lots of different colors and sizes. Looking at them now, I'm a little scared and confused about why I had so many.
Let's not forget the Lite Brite! I was never really artistic, so I took great pride in my Lite Brite creations. I could sit and push those little pegs into holes forever. Apparently the Lite Brite is still popular, only now as an iPhone app.
For several years, my sister and I got dolls for Christmas. I remember one year I got Lil' Miss Makeup, and my sister got Baby Alive. I was pretty jealous of Baby Alive...probably because my Lil' Miss Makeup was defective, and I couldn't figure out how to make her work. Baby Alive was basically the coolest doll ever! I remember mixing up her baby food, and checking her diaper. I think my sister and I really believed she was real.
Another great toy was the Koosh ball. Again, I'm not so sure what the fascination was, but they were pretty great.
Looking back, it's no wonder we played outside and used our imaginations as kids. Our toys were cool to us then, but nowhere near as fancy as what kids today have. I just thought it would be fun to reminisce. What was your favorite toy as a child?
