the 5 best toys of all time | geekdad | wired · 2018. 3. 8. · by jonathan liu january 31, 2011 |...

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The 5 Best Toys of All TimeBy Jonathan Liu January 31, 2011 | 8:00 am | Categories: Armchair Geek, Toys and Technology

jonathanhliu · 1,440 followers@

"Treasure Box" photo by Flickr user Evelyn Giggles. Used under Creative Commons License.

Here at GeekDad we review a lot of products — books, toys, gadgets, software — and I know it’simpossible for most parents to actually afford all of the cool stuff that gets written up. Heck, most of uscan’t afford it either, and we’re envious of the person who scored a review copy of a cool board game orawesome gizmo. (Disclosure: that person is probably me.) So while we love telling you about all the coolstuff that’s out there, I understand that as parents we all have limited budgets and we sometimes needhelp narrowing down our wishlists.

So to help you out, I’ve worked really hard to narrow down this list to five items that no kid should bewithout. All five should fit easily within any budget, and are appropriate for a wide age range so you getthe most play out of each one. These are time-tested and kid-approved! And as a bonus, these five canbe combined for extra-super-happy-fun-time.

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"A Gripping Scene" from Flickr user chefranden. Used under Creative Commons License.

1. Stick

What’s brown and sticky? A Stick.

This versatile toy is a real classic — chances are your great-great-grandparents played with one, andyour kids have probably discovered it for themselves as well. It’s a required ingredient for Stickball, ofcourse, but it’s so much more. Stick works really well as a poker, digger and reach-extender. It can alsobe combined with many other toys (both from this list and otherwise) to perform even more functions.

Stick comes in an almost bewildering variety of sizes and shapes, but you can amass a whole collectionwithout too much of an investment. You may want to avoid the smallest sizes — I’ve found that theybreak easily and are impossible to repair. Talk about planned obsolescence. But at least the classicwooden version is biodegradable so you don’t have to feel so bad about pitching them into your yardwaste or just using them for kindling. Larger, multi-tipped Sticks are particularly useful as snowmanarms. (Note: requires Snow, which is not included and may not be available in Florida.)

As with most things these days, there are higher-end models of Sticks if you’re a big spender, from thesmoothly-sanded wooden models (which are more uniformly straight than the classic model) to moredurable materials such as plastic or even metal. But for most kids the classic model should do fine. Myown kids have several Sticks (but are always eager to pick up a couple more when we find them).

One warning: the Stick can also be used as a sword or club, so parents who avoid toy weapons mightwant to steer clear of the larger models. (On the other hand, many experts agree that creative childrenwill just find something else to substitute for Stick, so this may be somewhat unavoidable.)

Although she is not generally known as a toy expert, Antoinette Portis has written this helpful usermanual for those needing some assistance in using their Stick.

Wired: Finally, something that does grow on trees.

Tired: You could put someone’s eye out.

Disclosure: I have received several samples of Sticks from one manufacturer for review.

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2. Box

Another toy that is quite versatile, Box also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Need proof?Depending on the number and size you have, Boxes can be turned into furniture or a kitchen playset.You can turn your kids into cardboard robots or create elaborate Star Wars costumes. A large Box canbe used as a fort or house and the smaller Box can be used to hide away a special treasure. Got aStick? Use it as an oar and Box becomes a boat. One particularly famous kid has used the Box as a keycomponent of a time machine, a duplicator and a transmogrifier, among other things.

Still stuck for ideas? Check out this Box user manual by Antoinette Portis for a few more ideas.

The Box may be the most expensive item on my list, available from many retailers and shippingcompanies, but they can often be had cheaper if you know where to look. Amazon is one of my mainsources of the small- to medium-sized Box; I include one with virtually every order I place there. If youdon’t mind second-hand toys, the grocery store, bookstores and recycling centers are also great sourcesfor Boxes. Oh, and the best place for the extra-large version is an appliance store (though sometimesthey’ll try to sell you an appliance along with it, which could get pricey.)

Note: If you’re in a pinch, Laundry Basket is a similar item and can often be substituted for Box in someinstances, though it’s generally not as great for costumes (other than a turtle). And if you’re thinking ofusing Box for your next building project, Mr. McGroovy’s Box Rivets make a great optional accessory.

Wired: Best celebrity endorsement: Calvin & Hobbes.

Tired: Paradox: what do you put Box in when you’re done playing with it?

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"How long is a piece of string?" by Flickr user izzie_whizzie. Used under Creative Commons License.

3. String

My kids absolutely love String — and when they can’t find it, sometimes they substitute other things for itsuch as scarves or blankets, but what they’re really after is String. Now, I should start off by saying thatString is not intended for toddlers and babies: it is a strangulation hazard and your kids must be oldenough to know not to put it around their necks. However, when used properly your kids can really havea ball with String.

The most obvious use of String is tying things together, which my kids love to do. You can use it to hangthings from doorknobs or tie little siblings to chairs or make leashes for your stuffed animals. Use Stringwith two Cans for a telephone (and teach your kids about sound waves), or with Stick to make a fishingpole. You’ll need String for certain games like Cat’s Cradle — there’s even an International String FigureAssociation for lots more information. String is a huge part of what makes some toys so fun — try usinga yo-yo or a kite without String and you’ll see what I mean. Try the heavy-duty version of String(commonly branded Rope) for skipping, climbing, swinging from trees or just for dragging things around.

Although you can buy String at a store, it’s generally sold in much larger quantities than your children willprobably need — usually my kids are happy with roughly two or three feet of it. I actually have no ideawhere it comes from, because I don’t remember buying them any, so it must be pretty easy to come by.

Wired: It really ties everything together.

Tired: There’s a reason “no strings attached” is a benefit.

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"A Series of Tubes" by Flickr user Orin Zebest. Used under Creative Commons license.

4. Cardboard Tube

Ah, the Cardboard Tube. These are kind of like the toy at the bottom of a box of Cracker Jacks — theycome free with a roll of paper towels and other products but you have to wait until you get to the end ofthe roll before you can finally claim the toy. (Perhaps this explains why my kids — who love the smallsize — go through toilet paper so quickly.) The small- and medium-sized are most common, but thelarge versions that come with wrapping paper can be more difficult to obtain — I had a roll of Christmaswrapping paper that lasted about three years before my kids finally got the Tube. There’s also an extra-large size that is sometimes sold with posters, and a super-sized industrial version which you’ll generallyonly find from carpet suppliers. (Of course, carpet stores aren’t toy stores, and while their product alsogoes by the name Cardboard Tube it’s hardly the same thing and probably shouldn’t be considered atoy.)

My kids have nicknamed the Cardboard Tube the “Spyer” for its most common use in our house, as atelescope. (Or tape two of them together for use as binoculars.) But if you happen to be lucky enough toget a large size, the best use is probably whacking things. Granted, Stick is also great for whacking, butthe nice thing about Cardboard Tube is that it generally won’t do any permanent damage. It’s sort of aNerf Stick, if you will. If that sounds up your alley, look up the Cardboard Tube Fighting League —currently there are only official events in Seattle, San Francisco and Sydney, but you could probably getsomething started up in your own neighborhood if you wanted. Or if you’re more of a loner, perhaps theway of the Cardboard Tube Samurai is a better path.

Obviously if your own kids are younger you’ll want to exercise discretion about these more organizedactivities, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to provide them with a Cardboard Tube or two just so they’ll getused to the feel of it. You never know if your kid will be the Wayne Gretzky or Tiger Woods of CardboardTube Fighting, right? Best to give them the opportunity so that if they show some particular aptitudesthey’ll have that early advantage. And if not, well, there are still plenty of people who enjoy playing withCardboard Tubes casually without all that pressure.

Wired: Comes free with purchase of toilet paper, paper towels, and wrapping paper.

Tired: Doesn’t hold up to enthusiastic play.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orinrobertjohn/2188279587/sizes/l/in/photostream/http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/01/the-5-best-toys-of-all-time/2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardboard_Tube_Fighting_Leaguehttp://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2003/3/3/



"Most exciting things ever" photo by Flickr user pfly. Used under Creative Commons License.

5. Dirt

When I was a kid one of my favorite things to play with was Dirt. At some point I picked up an interest incleanliness and I have to admit that I’m personally not such a fan of Dirt anymore — many parents(particularly indoor people like me) aren’t so fond if it either. But you can’t argue with success. Dirt hasbeen around longer than any of the other toys on this list, and shows no signs of going away. There’sjust no getting rid of it, so you might as well learn to live with it.

First off, playing with Dirt is actually good for you. It’s even sort of edible (in the way that Play-doh andcrayons are edible). But some studies have shown that kids who play with Dirt have stronger immunesystems than those who don’t. So even if it means doing some more laundry (Dirt is notorious for thestains it causes) it might be worth getting your kids some Dirt.

So what can you do with Dirt? Well, it’s great for digging and piling and making piles. We’ve got anumber of outdoor toys in our backyard, but my kids spend most of their time outside just playing withDirt. Use it with Stick as a large-format ephemeral art form. (Didn’t I tell you how versatile Stick was?)Dirt makes a great play surface for toy trucks and cars. Need something a little gloopier? Just add waterand — presto! — you’ve got Mud!

Dirt is definitely an outdoor toy, despite your kids’ frequent attempts to bring it indoors. If they insist,you’ll probably want to get the optional accessories Broom and Dustpan. But as long as it’s kept in itsproper place, Dirt can be loads of fun.

Wired: Cheap as dirt.

Tired: Dirty.

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Jonathan Liu is a stay-at-home dad, Etch-a-Sketch artist, community agitator, board game geek, and a

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The other great thing about using a Tube instead of a Stick, besides the decreased possibility ofdamage, is that nice satisfying 'thonk' sound you get when you hit your brother on the head withit. You just don't get that with a Stick, although I tried.

Elizabeth

Like Reply4 days ago 157 Likes

I think it is hard to truly convey the beauty and satisfaction of 'thonk' in comments.

Michael Klasmeier

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Elizabeth 70 Likes

No. More of a "thwack" with the stick. This I know first hand having been the recipient aswell the the beneficiary.

DanielD

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Elizabeth 19 Likes

Yes, I agree with the "thwack" rather than the "thonk". As a rotten little sister I canattest personally to this.

Cyn

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to DanielD 9 Likes

I can't find any of these on Amazon !??!?!

garboon


Well, if you buy something else, they'll usually include BOX for free. ;)

Jonathan H. Liu …, GeekDad senior editor, Etch-a-Sketch artist, book lover, board game

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to garboon 81 Likes

Which also brings to mind another classic, bubble wrap.

Jrs7530

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Jonathan H. Liu 52 Likes

Bubble Wrap was narrowly eliminated — I actually had started writing aboutit, but then remembered Dirt.

Jonathan H. Liu …, GeekDad senior editor, Etch-a-Sketch artist, book lov

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Jrs7530 36 Likes

Plus rocks are usually included in the dirt. So you get an added

Homeschoolingmy3sons

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bonus. My daughter spends hours moving the rocks and dirt fromone place to another leaving her brothers lots of opportunities to useshovels and brooms (toys for teens).


And you can write on cement with those rocks! It's semi-permanentremember when we didn't have sidewalk chalk all packaged up forus and used rocks? Grass was another great one to write on thesidewalks with but it usually stained so that could be trouble LOL

Star

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Jonathan H. Liu 1 Like

Bubble wrap. Yes! My kids love bubble wrap, and secretly so do i.

Damaris


jumping on the bubble wrap in particular

Cheryl

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Damaris 2 Likes

Make that a 'modern classic'.

sarah


Good point! :) simple and great toys are not available on the Amazon, they are around us.

Markus Nikolas, http://www.thehottoys.com

Like Reply19 hours ago in reply to garboon 2 Likes

As the mother of 13, 9 of whom are boys, I can attest to the expert analysis presented here byMr. Liu about classic playthings. How refreshing to find a true expert in the field still faithful to thetimeless ideals of mothering and fathering translated into the modern age! Thank you so much for testifying to the wisdom of the ages in your fearless geekyrecommendation on the five all time best toys! Looking forward to following you for insight into theneed for independence in children to maximize creative activity with said toys; and the value ofbumps, bruises, scrapes and small cuts in building character and perseverance in youth-becoming all too soft in the digital and virtual milieu!

JoFlemings


There's someone with more boys than I have! Woo hoooo! I have 7 and you'd think bythe comments I get that having boys is worse than having a deadly disease. I thinkthey're wonderful (as is my lone girl).Boys have a special relationship with dirt that I knew nothing about until I had them. Wehad a sandbox in the garage, one in the backyard, a digging place in the front, andseveral individual sandboxes (plastic boxes with sand from outside in them)I kept in thekitchen. The more I respected their need for dirt play, the better they behaved. I thinkpeople believe boys are hard to raise because they don't let them be boys. If being whoyou are is not allowed, there's really no option but misbehavior.

Txmom2many

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Like Reply4 days ago in reply to JoFlemings 50 Likes

When my younger brother was three he came inside and asked how to spell"danger", we asked him why he needed to spell it. He said, "I want to make a signto put up next to the hole I'm digging in the backyard.

georgefamily5

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Txmom2many 15 Likes

Love it!

Jo

Like Reply21 hours ago in reply to georgefamily5

"A special relationship with dirt" LOVE IT! Our yard is full of holes! Because my 2had to have more dirt!

Sonita @ CowsDontMoo.com, Homeschooling mama of 2 boys.

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Txmom2many 7 Likes

Just add water and you have a whole new amazing toy.

DanielD

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Sonita @ CowsDontMoo.com 26 Likes

Mine own DS still believes he *could* find dinosaur bones in our yard, giventime....

grmom2

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Txmom2many 1 Like

The BEST TOY is a roll of scotch tape!!! One of the smartest things I did as a young parent was to give my preschool boys an allowance expressly so that they could buy their own scotch tape to use/"misuse" as they pleased. This took me entirely out of the annoyance equation, and they enjoyed themselves immensely, whether they folded up sheets of scratch paper and completely taped them up, or unwound yards of it into a nice big sticky ball.My inspiration was one of theearly Ramona Quimby books, in which Ramona gives a three-year-old her own box of Kleenex for her birthday, so that she could freely enjoy pulling the tissues out one by one and tossing them into the air and watching them float down.

October7prairie


Coupled with sticks, my seven year old makes brilliant swords and blades with good oldScotch tape. I think this should be number 6 on the list!

Beth

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to October7prairie 8 Likes

My son's list - in addition to the list above - includes Scotch or masking tape, and alsotoilet paper. He tapes his trains together, tapes the door handle to the frame, tapesradndom objects to paper, the frig, the windows...all big fun. And TP is good for

Ellisonjen

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impromptu long hair, a cape, and a multitude of spooky decorations...including on the cat,but proceed at your own risk with that one. :)


Before kids, the only time I had to buy scotch tape was at Christmas.

Ldsunga

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Ellisonjen 3 Likes

I used to use facial tissues and tape to make doll clothes!

Allysson McDonald

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Ellisonjen 8 Likes

My sister and I used to use toilet paper + water to make casts for our dolls''broken arms'.

sarah

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Allysson McDonald 6 Likes

I did that, too! It's amazing how kids come up with the same things!

Jenn

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to sarah 2 Likes

Sounds like a future engineer to me. Watch out when he gets his hands on ducttape!

WordVixen

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Ellisonjen 6 Likes

+1 to the masking tape! it's easier to handle

Agustín Amenabar

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Ellisonjen 1 Like

Duct tape is the best ever! I gave my nephew a roll for his birthday whenhe was about 5, and he was so thrilled to get it. When someone asked,"What do you do with duct tape?", he answered, "You can do ANYTHINGwith duct tape!"

Afeidt

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Agustín Amenabar 20 Likes

Best Christmas present ever for my tween boy (now a teen) was 6rolls of duct tape in assorted colors, his own utility knife, a ruler, anda cutting board. Now he's outgrown it (mostly), and his tween sisteris commandeering the duct tape.

Jamie_mcardle

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Afeidt 5 Likes

I am so busted. Masking tape was the ultimate toy! Even up into the teen

Kenjotay

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years when we used to "tape" cars (no, not literaly, it was a roadwayannoyance we just did) and add layers of tape underneath one leg of ourfavorite teachers desk (really, would you put that much effort into a teacheryou didn't like?)

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Agustín Amenabar

I have to agree on the scotch tape...I only dole it out in small amounts which makes itTHAT MUCH MORE SPECIAL to my four year old son.

rlk125


Oh this is so great, nice story, nice comments, nice replys. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kali

Like Reply4 hours ago 1 Like

Ha! This article wins at life.

Mijay Pavon


I think you should remove Tube and replace it with Water. Though it may be considered asummer toy, it also comes in a winter Snow and Ice version and a nightly Bath version. It is quiteversatile and can be used for things as wide ranging as science experiments, cleaning, orpractical joking. It can be taken along in a flask for hydration, plunged into the depths if kept in apool, used to make Jello, shot from a gun, watering the garden, sprinkler play, ice hockey or evena shaved treat.

Addendum: water? Remove the tubes? Water is too good to be off the list.

Seetryfly


Yes! Water! At the age of 5 I invented perpetual motion by accidently creating a siphonout of my round plastic swimming pool with a garden hose. I visioned myself rich until Iran into the house and announced my discovery to my mother. Oh, that's a siphon shesaid. Endless fun with water, although at times extra expense was invovled for squirtguns, balloons and other accoutriments built to take full advantage of this primal toy as ameans of harrassing sisters.

Larry

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Seetryfly 3 Likes

Combine Water with dish soap for a whole 'nuther experience--compelling, especially witha few plastic cups and plates. Water is really tops, and quite inexpensive if you buy inlarge quantities. Just avoid additives, which run up the cost for very little benefit.

Annlittlewood3

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Seetryfly 3 Likes

run that through a blender and you have one of the great toys of all time - reallyfine foam that provides hours of enjoyment. i loved it more than anything.

a can of old school shaving cream is pretty fun, too.

deedee

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Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Annlittlewood3 4 Likes

Entire industries exist for people who play with water, ice, and snow. Also: WinterOlympics.

Ed


Thanks for the suggestions! — you (and the other commenters) should check out my #6Best Toy post now. :) http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2...



Oh yes, water definitely has to be on the list!

sarah


Is this C? Hahahah if it is, b/c this is my first time here! I had the EXACT thought. And,my daughter's favorite is to combine water with dirt to make the infamous fav... mud!

Kendra

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Seetryfly 1 Like

Yes, Indeed, all the gifts of mother Earth, support a healthy child, but earth and waterespecially are tops for joy and healing...

Nancypoer

Like Reply12 hours ago in reply to Seetryfly

One long stick + one cat's cradle string = bow; lots of small sticks = arrows; you = Robin Hood.

Kellyann


Bake the mudpies (water and dirt) for your kids! This is an awesome learning/scienceexperience. My daughters, now ages 27 and 29, still talk about me being the only mom in theneighborhood who would bake mudpies. I consider that high praise!

Avon


as kids we would add leaves, pine needle/cones and other stuff we could find to add toour mud pies, sometimes it more resembled soup.

MP

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Avon

Piece of fabric! Piece of fabric! House/Mommy/long-haired princess/magical cape/carry the cat.

Darn boys

Rotunda

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My dad had a few large canvases, my God they were my favouritest thing ever - throwthem over a frame or a bush and you have a cubby! Hide under/roll around in it on theground or even better, on the trampoline! Get some obliging adults to shake it vigourouslyat the corners while you jump around in the middle. Endless fun!

Gemfyre

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Rotunda 1 Like

Oh, I forgot, it can also be used as a hammock/swing, which also requires a coupleof obliging adults.

Gemfyre

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Gemfyre

OK, I don't know you. But after reading this post and your short bio, I love you already.

Nataliagill


What - no bubble wrap?

sage


You know, I actually did start with Bubble Wrap on the list, but then bumped it in favor ofdirt. It's up there, though, but bubble wrap is also more of a one-time-use item, unlike therest of the things on the list.


Like Reply5 days ago in reply to sage 15 Likes

Sand - dirt's cousin - is another favorite of my two boys. And of course water,which you do mention in combination with its friend Dirt. Kids can play with waterendlessly, either at the sink, in a tub, from the hose, in a creek or the high endversion, in the Pool.

Lisap


My wife and I are taking heart knowing we've provided the top 5 toys for our children! What's funto see is now when they confront a typical "close-ended" toy (one that is designed to be playedw/in a very specific way), our kids almost immediately begin finding their own variations. Whilewe love rocks, water, snow, bubble wrap, LEGOs, etc., as others have mentioned, we appreciatethe spirit and theme of this list. We, too, think you nailed it!

jon


We totally stumbled onto Rock and Stick, which is surprising given that we're bothgeologists and had been carting rocks around with us for years. When our oldest was notquite 2, we hauled him to France for a couple of weeks, stuck him in a backpack, gavehim a Rock or Stick as the nearby environment provided, and had a great time ourselves -

Jamie_mcardle

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because he was totally entertained the whole time. (Sometimes by knocking us on ourheads with either the Rock or the Stick, but nobody ever said parenting was painless.) Healso improvised a Stick out of a baguette, which was darn cute.

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to jon 4 Likes

Water. you forgot water. It's the ying to dirt's yang. When I want to get my kids out from underfootI tell them to go play in the sink.

joanne briana-gartner


Yep! Water and for those of us in Hawaii - the ocean! Free and always available.

2khau

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to joanne briana-gartner

Very good, I am happy to see that you young parents agree with me. grandma

Granny


Around our house, cardboard tubes are known as "der-ders". (The noise you make when youpretend they are horns.)

Jo


Here is South Africa we call them Vuvuzelas!

Oliviert

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Jo 7 Likes

Do-da-do's at my house growing up

terriann


They are Do Da Do's at my house too

Amy

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to terriann 2 Likes

Ta do da do's in mine

Janet

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to terriann 1 Like

They were called "tooters" at my house.

class factotum


Sarah

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Doo doo tubes at our house.

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Jo 1 Like

Oh wow!!!! We call them der-ders too! Small world. :)

Katie

Like Reply11 hours ago in reply to Jo

Dur-durs in our house also!

Camisu

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Jo

Same here! I fondly remember our holiday (because of the wrapping paper tubes)pastime of chasing the cat with the "der-der tube".

Melarossa

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to Jo

Ahh yes, der-ders, comes from Child's Garden Of Grass as I recollect...

MrJette

Like Reply2 days ago in reply to Jo

We called them toot-tooters!

pcahn


We got it from the ex-husband of a friend!

Camisu

Like Reply1 day ago in reply to pcahn

I called them the same thing as a kid!

Kellbot


"Hoooooo" (rhymes with Row) because of the sound that my toddler shouts through all ofthem.

Suzanne


Like a Thundercat?

Janet

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Suzanne 9 Likes

This is a pretty good compendium of what I would call "Category 1" supertoys. When kids get a

John F. Bramfeld

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little older, category two supertoys are important. This consists of two separate items. First, theaforementioned "box" filled with "broken stuff." This "broken stuff" is a function of your lifestyle,but should include at a minimum, broken dial phones, broken mechanical items, broken computeritems (no big capacitors), broken appliances, broken toys. The important thing they have incommon is that they are held together with removable (or destroyable) fasteners, and there areother things inside these things.

The other item they need, and this depends on your own incliniation, is a tool box; yours, orbetter yet, theirs. With these items, things can be disassembled, destroyed, reconfigured, and onextremely rare but joyous occasions, fixed.

As an aside, I started down this road with a broken Mickey Mouse watch. Later on, I actuallyremoved "jewels" from grownup watches. When I got older, I realized that the reason my Mickeywatch wasn't working was that I was winding it backwards. So the lesson is, the item does notreally need to be broken.


I would have put water on the list. Dirt got in, but not water? Hmmm, I suppose air and firewould want to be on the list, too. And I can't really endorse fire as a good toy.

Scott Jamieson


Under supervision, Fire is awesome. (Well, fire is always awesome.) Those of us whoweren't fascinated with it didn't make it this far.

Annlittlewood3

Like Reply3 days ago in reply to Scott Jamieson 3 Likes

maybe not natural fire, but what about working hard for it like with a magnifying glass.then maybe they can make glue from sap too!

wondermama

Like Reply4 days ago in reply to Scott Jamieson 1 Like

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