According to my parents, sister, and the last psycotherapist I spoke to, I'm a little strange in the fact that I still have, and play, with toys.

Who else (be brave, c'mon admit it :)) still plays with toys?
I'm not talking about 'grown up' toys like cars and guns, but actual toys aimed at kids, like play-doh, lego/meccano, airfix kits, costumes etc...

I'll be the first to admit that I have all of the above, and more.
And, I'll admit that I play with them too!

I generally reserve the costumes for charity events where I go out on my motorcycle dressed up and ride somewhere to raise money for charity... but any excuse to dress up like a 6 foot chicken, or a fighter pilot, or an easter bunny :rolleyes:

Logic

Well, not me, as growing up my parents didn't really like me being a kid anyway, so I was just never really playful and imaginative in that way. However, my wife and I have a cleaning business, and one of our clients was the director of a literary museum. You would walk through this gorgeous building, seeing all of this mature, adult stuff, and then you would go to his office, and WOW! The man had tons of toys........and candy too. People teased him about it, but I thought it was cool that an adult guy could still have fun with something like that. I cannot begin to tell you the hundreds of action figures and Japanese animated character figures that the man had. It boggled the mind. Boxes and boxes of toys, with new toys arriving all the time, and we cleaned his house as well, where there were even more toys.

So, no need to hide from it. Heck, I would have loved to have had that much fun when I was a kid, and to be an adult and have something that I have that much fun with would be great as well. I don't really have anything like that.

Kudos to you for admitting what you enjoy, even though many people would ridicule you for it.

I played pretend with little figurines well through highschool.
I still talk to myself a great deal, but I can cover it up with "I'm rehearsing a play."
I sit down with my kids occasionally for a train layout, coloring, etc. You're never too old to color.
And the dressing up? All over it. I don't do it enough.

Logic

It harms no one and gives you pleasure, where is the problem? If you remember the Firefly series, the pilot had his toys that he played with on occasion.

I suspect that many of us would play with toys if we could let ourselves go to that point. I do on occasion, if for no other reason than to celebrate memories of childhood.

I feel that many of the computer games so many enjoy are simply the same play themes taken to another setting. Think of Company of Heroes and plastic solders or the wonderful fantasy games we had as children and Star Wars games. Not much difference if you think about it.

I would very much hate to lose my enjoyment and love of play. I think that if I did this, I would be less than I am. I do not want this to be so I continue to play. Mine is on the computer, yours is with physical toys. Both are in the mind.

So my thoughts are to simply to relax and enjoy the experience. I know I do and without the slightest tinge of guilt.

Dizfriz

According to my parents, sister, and the last psycotherapist I spoke to, I'm a little strange in the fact that I still have, and play, with toys.

Lego?! I still play with Lego. Mind you I have kids, but that doesn't really stop me. But it depends, I tend to play with it for a couple weeks and then when it gets packed away, (because it's in the *way*), I'll forget about it until it comes out again.

Mechano, play-doh is good stuff too.

i have 3 children. my daughters are 2 and 4, and my son is 5. that's the only reason i started playing with toys again but i never imagined how fun it could be! play-do is the best, isn't it?

i haven't touched a barbie since i was a little girl until about a year ago, but now playing with my daughters, it brings back so many memories and i feel like a kid again. me and my son used to play with nerf guns all the time. he was always so cute when he'd sneak up behind me and get me in the back and run away laughing lol. speaking of.. i need to go buy some more nerf guns

Ha that reminds me of those episodes of Friends, where they build a fort of boxes when Ross moves in with Joey and Chandler; and when they play GI Joe, and when Phoebe builds a doll house!

oh and the seinfeld where they make Jerry's girlfriend sleepy so they can play with the toys in her apartment (her father collected them or something)

well why not? I really loved playing legos & play dough when my son was little. I mean I was not just playing because as a parent I should be spending time with my son, I was actually playing.

According to my parents, sister, and the last psycotherapist I spoke to, I'm a little strange in the fact that I still have, and play, with toys.



Translation: We wish we had the courage to have toys to play with and to admit we like it.

Play-doh is awesome! I really miss my matchbox cars. I had a whole slew of them, sports cars, family vehicles, emergency vehicles and recreational vehicles and would make whole towns out in the dirt. An urban planner at the age of five, I really miss them. Of all the toys I had they were my favorite. I know they're quite collectable now, but if I still had them I'm sure I'd be playing with them.

I'm not and never have been a doll person, I loved my cars. I had Barbies and other dolls, but mostly just cut all their hair off. Imagine my surprise to learn that once you cut off their hair all that's left is stitches. So I turned them into patients at my "hospital".

I did buy a doll a few years back, but she's no normal doll. She's a handmade doll, tall and quirky, I kind of think of her as me in doll form, mismatched earrings and all. I still have fun placing her in unexpected places for people to find, making her do silly dances and doing animated voices with her.

I really loved playing legos & play dough

Play-Doh, is brilliant! The smell is awesome. I like squishing it onto other things so that the texture is transferred into the play-doh (like over the remote control so the buttons make a pattern in it!)

I saw that 'Friends' episode a while ago, I can't remember the last time I built a fort out of bed sheets and sofa cushions, I do remember crawling inside a duvet cover last time I was changing the bedding (trying to get the duvet inside the duvet cover - I find getting inside it is the easiest way) and wandering about for 5 minutes pretending to be a ghost... :o

I'm looking forward to going out tonight as I get to dress up, it's a christmas night out (late, not early, we didnt go out last christmas) and I get to wear my super tacky christmas jumper (its got a gigantic santa face knitted on it and candy canes, mistletoe, a snowflake, and some presents knitted into the design :p) and a santa hat.

Logic

I can't remember the last time I built a fort out of bed sheets and sofa cushions,
Well then, you'll have to put this on your to do list. :)


I'm looking forward to going out tonight as I get to dress up, it's a christmas night out (late, not early, we didnt go out last christmas) and I get to wear my super tacky christmas jumper (its got a gigantic santa face knitted on it and candy canes, mistletoe, a snowflake, and some presents knitted into the design :p) and a santa hat.


Pictures! We want pictures!

I love this thread. :)

Oh yes! I do love my toys. And yes I do still, after all these years, play with them. I have my modernized yo-yo, that has ball-bearings so it will "sleep" much longer.
I was always fascinated with magnets. When I discovered neodynium magnets [rare earth], which are extremely powerful that totally renewed the fun I had in the past with magnets. Instead of ordering them out of those science magazines though I ordered them straight from the factory.
My best yo-yo when I was a kid was a twin-twirler. that was half yo-yo and half top. So I have my tops too. Of course I took that just a little further and mixed it with my fascination of magnets and I am now the proud owner of a Levitron with a Perpetuator. That is a top that spins about 4 inches above the Levitron in mid air at the rate of a million revolutions a day. It is really cool! It takes a while to set it up but once I get it going it is wonderful.
My other toy collection is radio-controlled race cars. I buy myself one every year at Christmas time. Last year I got a McLaren Mercedes with headlights that is incredibly fast! I do love my toys!

yes! i have a big toy box with erector sets, a lite brite, play dough, etc. i love constructing things.

Well, I have several clown costumes and absolutely love getting dressed up to go and play with the disabled at events.

I also have a toybox filled with all sorts of toys for when little friends come and visit.

And then my little collection of little chairs, tables and tea sets. (These are a favourite with my little friends)

When my boys were growing up, I was the go to mom for game tips. I played the nintendo and what ever version came after that as much as they did. It was always a bit cute when a little kid would phone my place and then I'd hear one of my sons say, here ask mom she'll tell you how to get to the third dungeon lvl and beat the boss. heheh

I don't play all the time, in fact quite rarely but my ADHD makes for a really fun clown. (not the scary faced ones.. I make sure I don't look frightening)

you know I nearly bought 1 kg of marbles in the little toy section of our grocery store this morning. I think I'll do that next week!

I don't play with toys but i see why someone would, toys are so cool these days! :)
I used to love dress-ups.
Curse adulthood and all its constrictive trappings! lol

Toys....? I LOVE toys.....! If more people played with toys I honestly believe they would be happier. I don't know where the idea came from toys are just for kids. Where is it written adults can't play with toys. Think Rubik's Cube, Frisbee, Coloring books, Professional artists Crayons and markers, puzzles, stuffed animals and dolls. Who among us doesn't still have at least one favorite childhood toy that brings back those memories of youth? And think Costume parties. Are they not just a way to capture some lost vestige of childhood memories of "Lets Pretend"?
True, adults do not play with toys the same way children do. Children do not have the many years of life experiences adults do~Everything is fresh and new to a child so when they play they feel they are actually whoever they want to be even for the moment.
I remember when my youngest nephew was 5 years old walking through the grocery store wearing his batman cape and pretending he was actually the famed crusader. I challenge any adult to do that with the same abandon in some public venue and then we can talk about adults playing with toys. Unfortunately adults are all too aware of those societal restraints. As for me, Yeah I still play with toys and have a full collection of stuffed animals, among others with my favorite still being:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddscroobell/3065098272/" title="Odd~Scroobellie by Odd~Scroobell, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3065098272_5e6b33c48d_o.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="Odd~Scroobellie" /></a>
Bringing back those toy chest of fond childhood memories. Hence my username. LOL!!!! :D
So dig into those toy chests and ask that Magic 8 ball the question you've always wanted to ask; and Oh..... don't forget to wish on a star or scattered dandelion fluff.
Wishes and dreams can come true if one believes in Magic and Dragons in the Autumn mist.

:):cool::D:cool:;):cool:;):cool::D:)

I gave in to my urges yesterday and climbed a tree. Right to the top and sat there for about 5 or 10 minutes appreciating the decent view you get when amongst the branches.

I have to admit I got a few funny looks from other people in the park, and my Dog was going nuts at the foot of the tree because he couldn't get to me... but it was pretty cool just sitting there.

Might just restrain myself from running along the high street wearing a batman cape for now though, the likelyhood of me getting myself 'taken to a place of safety' would probably quadruple whilst dressed like that... :) ;)

Anyway, back to the fridge to continue constructing the magnetic ball-bearing 'cannonball run' on the front of it.

Logic

Toys are one of the reason men have kids ;)

One of the interesting moments that come to mind for me is my partner who got himself one of those little silver scooters (designed for kids & usually you use push power with your foot) that was electric & got a harness for our now passed big tabby cat. He would ride up & down our street, taking the cat for a walk. Was somewhat eccentric but now after the Asperger's ADHD dx it all makes sense lol.
Just trying to remember my ADD moments........................

Ah, dress up! I spent years "playing dress up" at Renaissance Festivals and pretending to be a whole 'nother character. What fun.

People teased me when I was still playing with Barbies and paper dolls into my 20's, making clothes and costumes for them.

Would love to be able to play with PlayDo and let the grandkids play with it, but the smell makes me very sick. One of those strange sensory reactions I have to some things. Unfortunately the sensory issues have been getting worse while some other problems have gotten better. Guess everything in life is a trade off, eh?

Toys are one of the reason men have kids ;)

That way we get brand new ones!

According to my parents, sister, and the last psycotherapist I spoke to, I'm a little strange in the fact that I still have, and play, with toys. Logic

This strikes me as odd too. But I can't decide if it is because you still play with toys or that these other people don't. Hmmmm. I think you may be onto something (and not just on something).

I played with and on musical instruments when I was a kid. And that was ok when I was a kid. My parents could appreciate the giftedness of a favorite (country) musical artist but at the same time make it obvous that I needed to grow up and earn a living with schooling or a trade. I've never made a dime from any of my musical endeavors, but they mean more to me than all the money I've made while being 'grown up.'

No one chastizes me for 'playing' with my air guns, high tech yo-yo, electronic gadgets, sling-shot, Mag flashlights, led headlamps, or coloring books or crayons (4 64-count boxes and an official Crayola sharpener). But no one sees me with much of that anyway. Seems to me there may be some personal embarassment being transfered your way by folks who are threatened by your behavior ("What will the neighbors think?!!!). I saw alot of this kind of gunk going on when our oldest daughter became a professional (yes, PROFESSIONALL!) clown. (She is a gifted natural!)

Maybe our cultures don't care if we play or not, but rather only how we play. That is sad. I'm gonna look online for replacement slings for my 'Wrist Wrocket' and play with my music notation program 'til they get here! I better look at the local city code too, 'cuz they are probably illegal too! ("I'm sorry officer, I thought nunchuku were considered toys! Yo-yos were used as weapons first too y'know! Throwing stars? No, they are Christmas cookie cutters)! See, you lay 'em flat on the dough and take a knife like this and cut around... Fixed blade? No, it hasn't ever been broken. No, this is the one I always carry. I haven't switched the blade with anyone...")

Oh, yeah. And doing sewing projects on my wife's sewing machine is very relaxing... I have a friend who lives in another state who likes to watch his washing machine to relax. I thought it was weird 'til I tried it! (Fireplace, campfire, wind, ocean or lake waves...

I don't play with toys (just no interest- but y'all sound like you're having fun!), but I like doing stuff like watching the water on a lake or river, the feeling of wading in said water, watching a spider build a trap... basically I'm still like a big kid when it comes to the outdoors. I'd still climb a tree, too, if my back wasn't so outta wack.

:):)I still love toys...at the gift shop at the hosp Im always buying some kind of goofy pen with lights and noises on them ...the er nurses call me the human bill board...

I have a couple of keychains one has 6 sayings by Mr. T and the other the 3 stooges...especially fun to set off during a chaotic day...:D

One of the docs wanted my Mr T one by his phone...."Don't gimmi no back talk sucka"....


P

firstdesserts: I think you're right when you say:

Seems to me there may be some personal embarassment being transfered your way by folks who are threatened by your behavior ("What will the neighbors think?!!!).

I think it's their preconceptions as to how I, as an adult should behave, they've said it before with something similar in relation to my 'behaviour' - "It was cute and endearing when you were little, but now it just makes you unusual and dangerous as an adult, you're not supposed to behave like that"

I can't remember exactly what they were telling me off for on that particular occasion (after all, the list is quite long...:rolleyes:), but it was probably something very 'parenty' like 'wasting' my wages on model kits or constructing an obstacle course/battlefield in their garden and running about with a friend in full DPM with paintball guns (couldn't buy guns like this anymore under the new laws, too realistic).

I don't even live with them anymore, but still get hassled for 'messing about' when my 11 year old autistic nephew visits, and I (very willingly) help him build forts out of wood and tarpaulins, or sit and build his castle kit (his favourite toy) on the front lawn, right where the neighbours might see me... shock horror... what if the neighbours were to see me, happily lying on my stomach piecing bits of a construction set together? What might they think of me? Or more to the point, what might they think of my parents?

Heh heh, :cool: It's all good!

Logic

You Go, Logic! :D Build that castle straight to the moon and believe your 11 year old nephew will remember how much joy it is playing with Funtastic Uncle Logic!
Maybe you should shake your head and say, "Those Stuck~in~the~Mud Neighbors, just don't know how to have fun!" Poor poor Creatures caught up in their Grey staidness can't stand to see those who are have the courage and birthright freedom to live life as they want and not give a whit's {'uh~m~m~m'}:rolleyes::o:p:D about what others might say or think. "
If nothing else, your nephew in addition to having fun will also learn to be true to his belief system and not care "'What the Neighbors Might Think or Do." That's freedom in it's purest and best form. Let's hope your nephew in the misty future, will also be seen on his front lawn building castles or dressing up as a steeded knight ready to rescue some small damsel in distress or chasing down those dragons of social pressure of conformity that so sadly kill joy, fun. and creativity.

:);):D:cool:;):cool:;):D:)