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Toys from the Good Old Days
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items Don't let old-style toys and games fall to the wayside. A child is a lonely little being without friends and family to play with.
When I was a kid, I was constantly stealing my brother's Lincoln Logs so I could build things too. I fondly remember creating farms in which to place my toy animals. That, and the sibling log wars.
Lincoln Logs 100th Anniversary Tin
The first game I remember playing was Monopoly. (Also, who got to be the coveted banker.) It's a fairly long game to play, but it involves two or more players, which means both strategy, laughter, and maybe a friendly argument.
Classic Monopoly
I played Jax all by myself when necessary, but it was better with at least one other competitor. Hand-eye coordination is necessary, so it might not be good for a 4- or 5-year-old.
Classic Jax Set - Nostalgic Old School Game
My yo-yo was made of wood and came from the local 5-and-10 cent store. (They no longer exist.) I couldn't do any tricks because I only barely managed to get the yo-yo to glide up and down. Some of the kids could do a thing called “walk the dog,” whic...
The Inimitable Yo-Yo
Croquet goes back even to the Middle Ages, but England gave it rules and specs in the mid-1800's. My back yard wasn't large enough, but a friend's was, and we spent many happy days whacking balls across the grass. If your yard is a nice size of 50 fe...
Croquet Set Backyard Game Set with Carry Bag
Though it seems to be Oriental, this Chinese Checkers with the “star” configuration was introduced in the late 1800's in Germany. I had a set as a kid, and it lasted until I somehow lost the marbles.
Chinese Checkers
So many people have pet cats that I thought it best to choose a magnetic variation of a chess set. I started playing it when I was around 10 years old and have always considered it the finest board game ever, one whose origins go back into the murky ...
Chess Board (Magnetic)
When I was a kid, everyone had marbles they played with, traded, and kept in a sock. I haven't seen any children these days playing with marbles. I wonder why. Because their parents never did? I don't know, but marbles should have a comeback
50 Pack Retro Marbles
I chose a ping-pong set on Amazon that's closest to the one we had when I was a kid, but there are a number from which to choose. That table was used for years because of immense fun it was. You and your kids will enjoy it too. Cats love the balls, s...
GoSports 6 x 3 ft Mid-Size Table Tennis Table
Invented in 1931, Scrabble has been popular ever since for both youngsters and adults. Over the years, I spent many a cold, wintry day or rainy day or a just-because day playing Scrabble with family members and friends. Fond memories, including those...
Scrabble Board Game
The Tinkertoy Construction Set, designed in 1914 for children, was everywhere when I was a kid. Is it still? I forgot all about it when my son was a child, though I don't know why. Make sure you don't forget about it for your own children.
Tinkertoy - Retro Building Set Tin - 85 Pieces
My brother had quite a collection of erector set pieces with which he built strange and wondrous contraptions. I tried but was too young. I guess I thought if my brother could do it, so could I. Remember, his isn't for super-young children.
Erector Set for Adults, Teens & Kids - 389 pcs
I played Clue with a pair of sisters who seemed to always beat me at finding the real culprit in this whodunit game, but I still had a wonderful time playing. (For ages 8 and up)
Hasbro Retro Series Clue Game, Ages 8+
Based on a much older game from India, Chutes and Ladders was brought to the UK in the late 1800's and then not until 1943 in the US. Perfect for the little folks of the world and much better than staring at a screen.
Chutes and Ladders Board Game for Kids Ages 3+
Alas, Silly Putty wasn't around when I was a small child. However, when I was supposedly too old for such things, I enjoyed the heck out of playing with it, and then so did my son when he was a little guy. We should all remember to pass on such pleas...
Crayola Original Silly Putty (Pack of 3)