In hard times, nostalgic toys strike a chord

In hard times, nostalgic toys strike a chord – I think it’s more than the economy that’s causing parents to take another look at the classics, TinkerToys have always stood the test of time, they beat most cheap import crap-plastic-toy any day… give these to a kid and they’re set for months – I think we’re all demanding more value out of the things we buy, and from those things more “make-ability”…

Without a “must-have” toy fad this holiday season, and with parents facing a deteriorating economy, tried-and-true toys are being embraced by parents and toy makers alike – what one analyst calls a “back to the toy box” approach. “‘Retro’ or ‘nostalgia’ toys can be viewed as the ‘comfort food’ of the toy industry and I do think folks naturally gravitate to what made them happy when they were young, or what is familiar to them,” said Anita Frazier, a toy analyst at NPD Group, a market research firm. Though most sales will occur over the next few weeks, Moe said Junior TinkerToys, Lincoln Logs and toy instruments have been among the big sellers in the past few months. “It’s instinctive in tough times to reach back to a happier, simpler time,” he said. “Parents remember how much they loved those toys, and want that same happiness for their children.” Lauren Horsley, who has 5- and 1-year old boys and a 3-year-old girl, plans to buy TinkerToys…

The National Toy Fall of Fame shouldn’t be a museum or sorts, it’s a gift guide! Alphabet Blocks, Atari2600 Game System, Barbie, Bicycle, Candy Land, Cardboard Box, Checkers, Crayola Crayons, Duncan Yo-Yo, Easy-Bake Oven, Erector Set, Etch A Sketch, Frisbee, G.I. Joe, Hula Hoop, Jack-in-the-Box, Jacks, Jigsaw Puzzle, Jump Rope, Kite, LEGO, Lionel Trains, Lincoln Logs, Marbles, Monopoly, Mr. Potato Head, Play-Doh, Radio Flyer Wagon, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Rocking Horse, Roller Skates, SCRABBLE, Silly Putty, Slinky, Teddy Bear, Tinkertoy, Tonka Trucks, and View-Master.