The Classic Toys

When it comes to toys, there's a lot to be saidhobby with various levels of sophistication available
for the appeal of the classics. Most of us haveto the hobbyist. You probably don't want to break
fond memories of playing with a train set,the bank helping your child collect hundreds of so
pounding out chaotic melodies on a xylophone, orcalled "prototypically accurate" models and rails, so
pulling one of those telephone-on-wheels with thethere are simpler kits available through child toy
rolling eyes. We have fond memories of thosestores to allow the fun of playing with model
toys because they were a heck of a lot of fun.trains without having to spend too much money
Sooner or later, most kids develop an interest inor worry about the more delicate models
whatever the Big Toy is this year. Most parentsbreaking all the time.
have not-so-fond memories of shelling out loadsWooden Toys
of cash for whatever the hit baby dolls toys orThere are literally hundreds and hundreds of
super cool action figures are this year, only todifferent types of wooden toys available. The
have the kids wind up forgetting all about thosebenefit of classic wooden toys is that, not only do
Christmas presents in a month or two. The classicthey have a kind of timeless appeal, often times
children's wooden toys, the old school train setsthey are also dirt cheap, and they are usually
and doll house toys, they all have a sort ofquite durable, without any pointy edges or easily
timeless appeal, which is why toy companies keepbreakable parts. Baby wooden toys are available,
making them. Here's some info on a few of theproviding a safer alternative to pointy plastic toys,
more iconic classics:and there are plenty of small wooden models,
A Brief History of the Xylophonesuch as airplane toys.
The xylophone is actually based on an ancientA Brief History of the Teddy Bear
design which originated in Africa and Asia.A piece of not-so-little-known trivia is that the
Interestingly, the instrument was developedTeddy Bear was named after American president
independently in both countries, rather than beingTheodore Roosevelt. What fewer people know,
based on a design by just one person. In Africa,however, is that the concept came from a
the instrument still carries cultural significance.political cartoon printed in 1902. The cartoon
It is believed that the xylophone must've reacheddepicted an actual incident in which, on a hunting
Europe during the Crusades. In the early 20thtrip to Mississippi, Roosevelt's attendants had
Century, the instrument became popular inmanaged to tie a black bear to a tree for the
American jazz bands, until it was displaced by thepresident to shoot (as he was the only member
vibraphone, but not before a miniaturized versionof the hunting party who hadn't shot anything
caught on around the world as an inexpensive toyyet), and Roosevelt refused, deeming it
for children with an interest in music.unsportsmanlike. When Brooklyn store owner
The Train SetMorris Michtom saw the cartoon, he was inspired
Known in the US as Model Railroading and in theto create little stuffed bears, which he displayed in
UK, Australia and Canada as Railway Modelling,his store window beside a sign reading "Teddy's
train sets have an incredible appeal not only toBear".
children, but to full grown adults. The earliest formThe immediate success of the toy allowed
of the model train was seen in the 1840's, andMichtom to found the Ideal Novelty and Toy
was known as the carpet railway. These earlyCompany, which still supplies teddy bears to toy
models were considered fairly crudeshops even today.
representations of the real thing, and it wasn't untilau is a leading Australian online toy store. Visit au
the early 20th Century that more realistic modelsfor a wide selection of Kids Toys at discounted
began to exist.prices. To save money on your next purchase,
Today, railway modelling is a deeply involvingplease visit Toys.