We all grew up with toys and I believe we have our unique toy stories. We have toys that relate our unadulterated childhood memories. I came from a family who does not have that much in life. But my parents never deprived me the chance to play and experience having toys. With the support of my Aunties and godparents, I was able to enjoy that once in a lifetime stage of my life.

Now that I am an overweight grown up, I still enjoy toys and exchanging toy stories with my friends and colleagues of my ages. Here are some of the toys and stories I'd like to share. Hope you won't get bored. ;-)

Photo from Forum Xcite Fun
Who have not loved Barbie? Barbie Dolls were like the best friend of every little girl. Owning a Barbie unfortunately does not bring the contentment. Who could ever forget those spare dresses, accessories and the Barbie house. I never had a Barbie house but my imagination made me convert cardboard boxes as my own version of Barbie's house. 

Photo from Smarter than Matt

I never owned a Cabbage Patch Kids doll. I was contented in seeing my affluent playmates who were privileged to own this sweet-smelling doll. Cabbage Patch Kids dolls are rarely available and quite expensive to purchase in the Philippines. I had this simple wish that before I turn 30, I will be able to own at least one of this sweet and chubby doll. 
Photo from All Toes in a Water
I love Word Boggle than Scrabble. I get irked with Scrabble when I am left with consonants. How could you form a three letter word with x, q, and z? Word Boggle instead requires an extensive vocabulary and the ability to see, twist and play with the patterns. Although today, I rarely see a Word Boggle playset in department stores. The rise of different computer generated word games have killed the sales of the Word Boggle, Scrabble and other board games.

I love to play board games only if I have plenty of companions. It's boring and less exciting with limited competitors. Unlike other toys, no creativity and technique are needed here.  Board games are about luck  and chances. The game is simple but the unpredictability of outcomes brings the excitement. (Just like life?) I encountered a lot of board games but the snakes and ladders became my all time favorite.


Photo from Motivational Memo
Who did not dream of having her own play house?
Photo from Toys R Us Uk
I never owned a playhouse but I enjoyed the playhouses provided by kiddie oriented fast food chains. I remember my favorite playhouse and mini-slide at the Cubao branch of Wendy's Hamburgers. The playhouse I enjoyed at Wendy's looks exactly with that of the picture. If money will no longer become a scarce resource for me, I might end up fulfilling this childhood dream too. hahaha!

Photo from Gingerbread Monkeys
I love food, I was interested in cooking but I never gained the skill to do it. But when I was kid, I always wanted to play the role of the cook with these toys. I even end up arguing with my playmates because everyone wants to be the cook. Everyone wanted to be the slave cook than the sitting pretty customer. 
Photo from Good News Everyday
Jackstones! This game requires patience, skill and practice Unfortunately, the numerous practice did not earn me the skill to perfect this game. My mind, hands and attention can't just get perfectly coordinated. This explains why I also didn't excel in dancing, sports and other physical activities.

I grew up in the years when electronic games are starting to proliferate. Instead of counting my age, I'd like to believe that I had the privilege of observing how technology innovated toys. Here are the classic electronic toys that partly deteriorated my eyesight and made me forgot playing in the streets.
Photo from Wikipedia
Photo from The Great Geek
Before PSP and Wii came, there was the Nintendo Family Computer and Gameboy. How could I ever forget the Super Mario Brothers, Battle City, Donkey Kong Jr., Star Force, Bomber Man and Mappy. Can't relate? Sorry if I am too old for you. Oh well, there's google.

I believe this electronic gadget only grew in the Philippine market.


Photo from DIY Trade
The brick game adopted the concept of Tetris. It's like a Gameboy but the games are already embeded in its system. No need to buy and insert those Gameboy chips. I got my brickgame when I was 10 years old, courtesy of my Tita. Left, right, rotate, and down!

I admit these technologically empowered toys spoiled my childhood. At some point, these toys deteriorated my eyesight and made me ignore my outdoor playmates. My source of happiness were suddenly confined in a TV set and a small box of artificial games. 

Kids today will definitely have a different toy story to relate. I can already see a different version from my nieces and nephews. I rarely see them play with dolls, cars and those outdoor games. Most of the time, it's the desktop games and their PSPs that keep them occupied. Some researches even attribute technologically empowered toys as a leading source of increasing obesity among kids. It boils down from the fact that computer games lessen the physical activities of kids. 

I am not anti-technology. I am more concerned on the negative effects that technology brings to every kid. Since technology commands changes, I believe that it has its own way of resolving the problems it has created. Am I getting too serious now? ;-)

I hope you enjoyed my own toy story. I would love to hear your own toy stories too. :)