or is there an abundance of really ridiculous toys these days?

[MathsMadMummy]

Doodle Daisy - what about a normal spirograph where you do it yourself?

Moon Dough magic moulder thingy - what's the point if you're not actually making something yourself?

Aquadraw - um, pen and paper anyone?!

etc etc.

:o

ok so I'm a (23yo) grumpy old woman and a toy snob.. and I know they aren't doing any harm. but wow I really get sick of all the plastic pointless tat

heaven help me when DD gets older and actually responds to advertising! apart from anything else, our house is tiny...

feel free to add your own nominations to the Toys Room 101 :)

I can see the point in Aqua Draw as DD likes to draw on walls but there are some ridiculous toys about. My nomination is the baby dolls that ride around on scooters. Also the Bratz/Moxie dolls that are dressed like prostitutes.

Littlest Pet Shop - Ewwwwwww

Mine love Aquadraw. It's like a really big piece of paper on the floor. I don't know where you buy paper that size, and anyway they'd scribble on it twice and then it would go in the recycling. Plus when they get overexcited and the pen goes off the paper onto the floor, it doesn't matter like it would with pen or pencil. And sitting at the table with a small piece of paper is not the same.

But yes.

Soft toys.
Flipping action figures of the lastest tv show / film.
All those games where some plastic thing in the middle of the board does something clever that takes ages to set up and doesn't quite work.

And all they really want is a couple of big cardboard boxes!

Aquadraw is great - especially good for taking to other peoples houses. It travels well, and the kids can draw away without threatening any lovely surfaces with crayons. But besides the practicalities from my point of view, kids love them & it keeps them occupied for some time.

Soft toys - DD has 100's - plays with a couple.

Bubble gun - broke after 5 hours

Bratz worst toys.

Cardboard box still the best.

Really recommend Myriad if you have spare cash.
Grocery cartons/washed yogurt pots/cardboard crown if you haven't :)

Bratz.

I am generally anti plastic tac, but I do love Aquadraw because I can leave DS with it in the knowledge that my walls/furniture/carpet aren't going to get ruined.

yes I can see how the aquadraw things are good from the mess POV! :)

what's myriad?!

I totally agree about those games with something fancy and usually noisy - stuff like 'don't wake dad' - YAWN!

oh, and those (?) micro machines tracks where you get one measly loop the loop thing or a giant snake mouth which might close on the car. surely that gets boring after a few minutes weeks?

I think my problem is toys that take away the actual playing, and does it for the child instead as in the ones in my OP. where's the fun? mum wanted to get DD one of those crying dolls but I said no, because IMO it's much nicer when DD acts it out herself. although I admit in that instance it may also be because I'd hate the infernal racket those things create :o

Bratz- can't stand them! Also all the babyborn tat. How many babies do you know that drive, do ballet, ride a horse/moped?

I'm quite sick of all the barbie 'mini-b' ads during milkshake, well all adverts on channel 5 generally. considering banning it on the weekends as it seemed dramatically worse, although it seems to be worse in the week now, maybe because of summer hols? anyway, DD is actually starting to notice them now... ugggggh.

oh, can't stand the new puppy in my pocket things. I used to have the proper old-school ones, how dare they change them!

Myriad is an online shop selling toys and craft materials.
Can be pricey but lovely stuff.