Since the beginning of time, mothers have been trying to find ways to occupy their children. So it’s no surprise that toys have been around since the dawn of time. The natural playfulness and curiosity of children make toys a natural progression. For example, a child’s imagination can figure out how to make a game and play with anything.
A child may be busy making paths in the dirt, making sand castles, or just digging a small hole, which can create tunnels and other mysterious places. Seashells, rocks, pinecones, or whatever else is available can make a useful toy. Despite a child’s unique creativity, parents throughout time have tried to reward and entertain their children with toys.
The ancient Egyptians created balls of leather and dried papyrus reeds. They also created marbles with black and white stones. There were also many Egyptian dolls. Some were made of leather and papyrus; many were carved from wood, bone, or ivory. Some even had jointed limbs and movable jaws. The less wealthy made dolls and figurines out of clay.
They even created spinning tops and had many different physical games, with balls and sticks and wrestling. They also enjoyed board games like Mehen and Senet. The toys of ancient Rome were similar. They had balls and games with hoops and sticks. Wooden swords and shields were also popular for simulated battle games.
Like the Egyptians, the Romans enjoyed board games and marbles. They also created dolls and statuettes from wood, wax, and terracotta. Similarly, the people of ancient Greece enjoyed wheeled wooden rope-drawn horses, terracotta dolls, clay animals, rattles, and primitive yo-yos.
I found a New York Times article from 1902 that was about the great Christmas toys of that year. They were new car toys, some were metal wind-up editions, and some were more elaborate, expensive toy cars that adults bought. The other big toy hits of that year were toy submarines and flying machines.
Baby dolls have been popular throughout the centuries. But in 1960 the first Barbie fashion doll was introduced. Other great toys of the 1960s were the slinkies, the color ways, the sight master, the sketch etching, the lite brite, the spirograph, the Fort Apache game, Marvel the Mustang and too many more to mention.
Many of these toys are still popular today. We also have some new toys. In addition to the great advances in electronics and video games, we have Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Barbie still exists, but she is joined by the Bratz, Moxie Girlz, and Liv Dolls. There are tons of new board games and action figures. Also, the classic games and toys of the past still exist and are being improved.
Despite changes in time and technology, the basic premise of the game has remained unchanged. Toys have always been used to stimulate the imagination and keep children busy and entertained. No matter how much time passes, parents will never get tired of seeing a child’s face light up when a new toy is introduced.