1  | 

I found this helpful Thank You! Your vote will be tallied soon!

They aren't battery-operated or computer-animated. They don't talk to you, sing to you or boast loud bells or whistles (thank goodness). And they certainly don't promise to turn your child into a baby genius. They are so low-tech you may have forgotten all about them, unless of course you have a young child. And then, you know, they still delight.

I am of course talking about Tinkertoys, providing hours of fun since 1913.
http://www.hasbro.com/playskool/tinkertoy/

Annie happened to get a big box of Tinkertoys for her 4th birthday from her Granny. They still come in that cool, cylindrical can containing a variety of wooden sticks, round things and plastic wingy things. Though they languished in her closet for about six months, a couple weeks ago they were discovered anew and now litter our living room floor.

Not being spatially-oriented myself, I was amazed at the fun things Annie built with her Tinkertoys: boats, rocket ships, an intricate jungle gym for her Polly Pockets.

When the 7 year-old neighbor boy came over to play, he too was entranced with the Tinkertoys, deftly assembling what looked like an airplane. WITH A PROPELLER THAT SPUN AROUND! How cool is that?

In short, if you are looking for a good, low-tech evening of family fun, break out the Tinkertoys.

Hasbro's slogan is right on: good then, good now, good always.