Happy Thanksgiving.
Just a month until Christmas, and tomorrow is the first day celebrating all things materialistic. Instead of running out Black Friday to get the best deal on this year’s hot toy, you might want to look into these tried and true toys of the past. Wired did a review of “The 5 Best Toys of All Time” back in 2011, and everything on the list can be had for a dollar or less.
My personal favorite as an adult is String (see embroidery), but #5 with the optional Water add-on never gets old (see mosaics and gardening). In fact, Water really should be listed as a toy as well, but remember Water needs supervision even more than String.
See all five here: https://www.wired.com/2011/01/the-5-best-toys-of-all-time/
WRITING EXERCISE: Send an hour playing with one of the toys by yourself, with other adults, or with a child or children. You can call it “crafting,” “bathing,” or “woodwork” if “playing” doesn’t sound right to you. Accessories, like power tools, are allowed. Write up a flash, fiction or non-fiction, based on that time. (Toys: Stick, Dirt, Cardboard Tube, Water, Box, String)