Re-Collecting Favorite Toys from Our Own Childhood
About the time my oldest son turned two, I began to think about my favorite childhood toys. Mine were long-gone, victims of too many family moves and my leaving to go away to school at age 17. All were lost.
Then I thought why could I not “re-collect” them for my own children?
This notion of re-collecting started simple. I thought about my very favorite toys from my early childhood (circa 1969-73) including my Fisher-Price Little People, Playskool’s Dressy Bessy, Holly Hobby and the classic doll—Raggedy Ann.
- Were they still around?
- Could I locate my favorites in good condition?
- Does someone have the Fisher-Price Family Farm with the door with the mooing cow? The schoolhouse with the bell that rings and the chalkboard?
Periodically I would spot a few pieces at thrift stores or garage sales. Some of my favorite stores in Austin like the Assistance League of Austin Thrift House and Room Service Vintage had them once in awhile. Then, I hit the jackpot - eBay! Hundreds of vintage toys were listed each week. I was hooked.
Two years’ later my collection has grown, as has my family. I share my childhood toys, now re-collected with my three kids and my customers at Little Green Beans.
They think they are as “neat” as I thought they were in their heyday.
What toys of your childhood do you share with your own children?
