10 More Toys Parents Dread
Published on November 8, 2008 - 107 Comments
Children’s toys used to be very simple, quite easy to play with, not at all noisy, and often prohibitively expensive – meaning many kids had to do without. Times have changed, and now any scrawny necked, lanky legged individual of an underdeveloped social nature, can pound parents into submission to obtain a legitimate weapons superiority. Lets take another look at some of the candidates of this tactical arsenal - this list, of course, follows on from our Top 10 Toys Parents Dread.
A recent addition to our list, nothing hits the spot more than a 7-year-old screeching out half the words to a Cheeky Girls or Britney Spears number - perhaps only with the exception of four 7-year-olds trying to do the same thing ‘in harmony’. House parties have never been so much fun, especially when you can close the patio doors behind you, and walk several hundred miles in the opposite direction.
A small firework made illegal in most parts of the world. Popular in the 1950’s and 60’s, the banger was the staple implement of torture for many boys who wished to make a huge impact on society. Generally, the banger was used to inflict fear, trauma, and - as a best-case scenario - a severe cardiac arrest on victims of a sensitive disposition.

By looping the words - “Get that off your face!” onto a cassette, it is technically possible to save over 200 hours worth of mental and vocal stress caused as a result of abusing these substances. As the term ‘won’t be seen dead wearing that!’ doesn’t appear to affect the young, many displays of tragically disheveling art can often be seen on the faces of the innocent.

Many parents have learned to patiently applaud the appalling efforts of their offspring when it comes to painted art; much of which finding it’s way to the sides of fridge-freezers everywhere. Paint runs – as fast as it can – into clothing, rugs, doors and pets, and scientific experts have calculated that a single sheet of blank A4 paper typically needs to be surrounded by 8 square miles of yesterdays newspapers to save the carpet receiving the traditional Sunday afternoon makeover.
Aside from the sheer volume of children’s magazines which pile up under the beds of pre-teens, by far the worst side effect of this type of behavior is often the infamy of the included stickers. Many wardrobes have suffered in recent years under the sheer weight of stickers festooned over their exteriors. Nothing escapes the tyranny of the sticker, and to date, no blend of bio-hazardous toxin chemicals have proven effective at removing their blight on humanity.
When Mums and Dads are busy, they may inadvertently place their faith in musical toys to satisfy the hungry minds of their immediate descendants. Unfortunately, this is counter-productive, and leads to a condition doctors have known for years as ‘loosing one’s rag’. If taking out frustrations on inanimate objects is your kind of heaven, please send in your address and you will receive your just deserts.
Learning the alphabet or the numbers using an annoying female voice has been around for centuries, but if your mother-in-law is busy, try to avoid using one of these machines at all costs. Listen; as an endless series of discordant jingles, similes and phonics are played repeatedly by the delicate touch of a child’s whole hand over all the buttons.
Use successfully by the CIA since the turn of the century, nothing works more effectively and damagingly on human levels of tolerance than a 12-year-old playing the violin, a 4-year-old playing a miniature drum kit, or a 9-year-old blowing into a recorder (or flute). Scientists in Russia have termed parental exposure to this kind of treatment ‘neurological meltdown’ or ‘cranium critical mass’, and victims have often resorted to quite drastic feats of human strength in order ensure these kinds of instruments are never capable of playing ‘music’ ever again.
What can you do with play doh that you can’t do with plasticine or real dough? Experts were baffled for weeks when set this question during the late 20th century. That was until one man dejectedly pushed the material into a salt shaker and it ‘looked a bit like hair’. Since then, millions of children of all ages have sat this same simple test; all of whom failed to come up with anything at all. The legend of play doh was born.
Where is the best place to find Lego? In the vacuum cleaner of course! This was the winning entry of many in this competition; runners up include - on the stairs, between the cracks in the patio, in the bathtub, and of course, in beds. There are several ways in which Lego has taken the crown of ‘the most annoying toy’. First of all because Lego is so easy to consume, many ‘consumers’ have found their Lego products have made it all the way down the toilet and into the sea - where they continue to annoy sea life in the same way. Secondly, because Lego is so small, adult fingers can often loose their ability to manipulate the material; similar to trying to pick up a coin using a bunch of bananas. Many triumphs of model engineering have been crushed under-foot, under car tires, under bottoms, and between fingers - sometimes sending lethal Lego shrapnel in all directions at once. Avoid.
Contributor: lifeschool
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1. BA88 - November 9th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I really miss playing with legos.
2. Saruka - November 9th, 2008 at 1:15 am
What would be good toys? I don’t have kids myself so I wouldn’t know. Just wondering as Christmas is getting closer and my little goddaughter needs a pressie.
3. jfrater - November 9th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Saruka: I would recommend for a little girl an old fashioned music box - the music is gentle and quiet, it can become an heirloom, and it introduces children to classical music
4. Toolhead - November 9th, 2008 at 1:20 am
all these toys are great!~
5. badabing - November 9th, 2008 at 1:23 am
I agree, legos were my favorite as a kid.
6. badabing - November 9th, 2008 at 1:28 am
I gave my niece a bead necklace building set, you should have seen the look my brother gave me. She’s seven.
7. Frank - November 9th, 2008 at 1:51 am
You say “10 more toys parents dread” I say “10 good Christmas gifts to the kids of other people.”
8. smurff - November 9th, 2008 at 1:57 am
I think # 9 is the worst on the list, I have seen what trauma pets go through a week before and a week after 5 November.
9. jck1074 - November 9th, 2008 at 2:01 am
hahaha, i had like 6 of these at one point or another…..but now i see how annoying they are.
Children having fun and toys getting thrown out the window, is a very thin line that is often crossed (especially by toys made by Plays-cool and anything sticky and wet)
When you do go crazy, make sure your child isn’t recording you on their fancy karaoke (number 10) , as this may be used in court as evidence for child abuse.
10. jck1074 - November 9th, 2008 at 2:03 am
I love legos and in fact may still have a box somewhere. When i was a kid, we had a whole back room set up just for legos. Ahhh nostalgia (excuse me if i spelled that wrong. It’s 2 AM here)
11. Polymath - November 9th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I’m 38 and still have a huge box of lego.
12. astraya - November 9th, 2008 at 2:54 am
I had a deprived childhood. I had paint, and proved to be utterly inept, and musical instruments, and went on to gain several qualifications in music, become a published composer, and sing on CDs, international television and in the Albert Hall, London (as part of a choir). So there’s no telling where childhood toys my lead.
13. PirateXxEsque - November 9th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Well actually, once you’ve removed the plastic part of the sticker, eucalyptus oil is fantastic for removing sticker gummy crap.
Lego is epic.
And this list was timed well. people jsut starting to think about what to get people for christmas…
Amen @ 7.
14. lily - November 9th, 2008 at 3:34 am
whats wrong with these toys there is nothing that horrible about them a bad toy would be a watergun or anyting violent i dont see anything wrong with these toys except for the banger ofcourse
15. Hemza3000 - November 9th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I never had any of these..
But then again, I DO have loving parents.
16. Redcaboose - November 9th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Of course, these toys do not bother grandparents at all. We can give them to our grandkids, and call it payback.
17. ElenaSFA - November 9th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Seventeenth comment! Holy crap that’s the closest I’ve ever been to a first comment!
Anyway’s, and I have to ask (great list by the way) does anybody know when Shark Week is going to be on the Discovery Channel?
18. jake ryder - November 9th, 2008 at 5:01 am
My kids have at least six of these and they don’t bother me at all, but then again I am very immature myself.
19. nyys - November 9th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I used to love legos too.
20. Nicosia - November 9th, 2008 at 5:26 am
I have a five year old girl… There are stickers on her walls, on her stuffed animals, on her bedroom furniture, on her backpack, on her books, on her baby brother… etc.
21. Felmin - November 9th, 2008 at 5:35 am
PirateEsque- I would be weary to believe that eucalyptus oil has any erosive properties that would aid in the removal of the sticker-glue and that any efficacy attributed to this method would more likely be the alcohol used in the extraction of the oil. But I pulled that out of my a**.
22. Louise - November 9th, 2008 at 5:50 am
What about racing tracks? Nothing like a 10 cm car smashing into your knee, while trying to complete a loop. Or flying over the edge in the corners, despite the little white “blockers”. Hurts like h… and are not that funny to step on either!!!
23. Jaz_3 - November 9th, 2008 at 6:25 am
i miss lego…
24. Lethal Pixi - November 9th, 2008 at 7:11 am
legos were one of my favorites when i was younger and my middle sister was a play doh fan. my mom hated when we got creative and wanted to make things out of them together! we realized my baby sister had an artistic hand when we would give her washable paint when she was younger!
25. ian - November 9th, 2008 at 7:56 am
im 18 and still play with legos when im really bored sometimes haha
26. geert - November 9th, 2008 at 8:04 am
legos are the best. definitely the only toy my kids are getting.
27. deepthinker - November 9th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Playdough is bad, but not as bad as moon sand! It’s fun to play with, but not fun getting it out of every nook and cranny in your home! I have never heard of bangers.
28. Namowal - November 9th, 2008 at 8:05 am
You learn the dark side of Legos the day you step on a rogue piece barefoot.
29. darthbarbie - November 9th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’ve got just two words for ya: Moon Sand….I swear it would top any list of annoying toys ever made. My son got it for x-mas and after a week we kept trying to think of people we hate to give the Moon Sand to…just remember you’ve been warned!
30. angryfeet - November 9th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Ahh… I’m a nanny for a four year old boy, as well as auntie to two nieces, 2 and 4 years. I would add matchbox cars to this list, for the same reasons as Legos - the Boy has, ( literally, we counted! ) 173 matchbox cars, and they ALL must be used to play with several times a day. Also, beading/jewelery making kits should certainly be on here.
And BTW, I think Shark Week is usually in June or July, but I might be wrong about that.
31. Rosa - November 9th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Legos are awesome, but my dad doesn’t appreciate stepping on them.
Also, play-doh tastes HORRIBLE! I mean, it smells ok, and it says “non toxic”, so that’s like an invitation to eat it. But when you do, it’s like: AAAHHHH!!! *RETCH* Just think of the most disgusting this you have ever tasted… ok, well that’s just peanuts to how bad play-doh tastes.
32. bueno91 - November 9th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I love/hate legos I would always want them but when I finally got them my little attention span would kick in and I would abodon them. I feel bad for my dad now I always wanted what was on the box so I would make him build it for me
33. ryan - November 9th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Thank you! I know have a shopping lists for my nephews and nieces.
34. Ghidoran - November 9th, 2008 at 8:45 am
adult fingers can often loose their ability
Lose, not loose.
35. segue - November 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am
I had 3 children, born in a span of 33 months. My family is a family of artists; musicians, photographers, writers, painters, and because of this we have a slightly different view of life than other people might.
For example, paint, legos, musical instruments, play doh (I could list a dozen more) have extraordinary value because they encourage creativity.
There was never a time when I put the mess that would be left, over the fun of the activity. Most of the “toys” which can leave messes, can be dealt with ahead of time so that clean-up is is reduced to almost nothing. Paint, for example, can be assigned to one table in the home. When it’s paint time, a dropcloth placed beneath the table and an oilcloth tablecloth on the table (unless it’s a melamine top table, in which case it’s good to go), takes care of any messes they can make!
Lego’s? I had a Toy Room. Things like lego’s and erector sets could be played with to their hearts content in the Toy Room.
Musical instruments? Of course they start out sounding like cats having pins stuck in them, but they get better!
You have to let children be children. That means, often, being uncomfortable as parents for short periods of time. But children are only children for short periods of time, then they’re grown up and gone and and you don’t want to be left with the feeling that you’ve short-changed their childhood.
So don’t.
36. Jubyduk - November 9th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I understand the love/hate relationship with Legos. More love than hate though, I sometimes think I had children just so I could shower them with all the cool Lego kits I didn’t have when I was a kid…. I now play with the Legos more than my kids do.
37. Jackie - November 9th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Hahahaha stepping on a lego when you’re walking around barefoot is the worst!
38. Mr.Crow - November 9th, 2008 at 10:05 am
AVOID LEGOS.NO
39. Mr.Crow - November 9th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Holy crap, I didn’t know I could do that.
40. Cyn - November 9th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Mr. Crow.

you can’t
read the FAQ please. your comment was edited.
41. Bill - November 9th, 2008 at 10:11 am
When I was a kid, my uncle got me one of those firefighter hats with the noisy siren atop it from Radio Shack. My parents cursed his name for months!
42. Ravyn - November 9th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I used to have Legos. A huge box of them. My mom kept buying me more. Then my sister was born and my mom gave them all away because she was afraid my sis would eat them. I’d build little cities for my hot wheels to drive through. YAY Legos!
43. smurff - November 9th, 2008 at 11:02 am
deepthinker - bangers are part of the Guy Fawkes celebrations they have every year on November the 5th. In my country the skyrockets cathran wheels and sparklers are allowed.
The bangers or crackers as they are called here, have got very big and powerful over the last 3 - 4 years, you put a match to the wick and toss it away, a big bang follows.
As I mentioned in a earlier comment it is very stressful to pets.
44. Taranis - November 9th, 2008 at 11:04 am
the discriptions in these were histerical.
45. Ash - November 9th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Ahhh I used to LOVE play doh
And Lego’s do freaking hurt when you stand on them
46. Biccy - November 9th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Our daughter has (or had) ALL of these at some stage. God bless you for bringing much needed attention to the anguish that they cause!
47. BrotherMan - November 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Thanks for the list, lifeschool! It is odd to see this one posted because it was just yesterday where I was revisiting the first Top 10 Toys Parents Dread list and reading back through all of the hilarious comments. I can’t wait to read the comments on this one!
48. Mom424 - November 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
My kids had all of these things but the bangers - didn’t stop then though, when they got a little older they had no trouble finding things to blow up.
Although I wouldn’t deny my kids any of these things, and for that matter no parent would, it in no way contradicts any of the points made by Lifeschool. The pain of lego underfoot cannot be underestimated nor the tendency of play-doh to become one with the carpet.
Excellent list.
49. segue - November 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
48. Mom424:…the tendency of play-doh to become one with the carpet.
****
Ah ha! I always had hardwood and/or tile floors. Problems with carpet never occurred to me (it never had to).
50. christy - November 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Kids Karaoke Machines! My 6 year old cousin would sing with the same 3 stupid Hannah Montana songs over and over. Horrible.
51. gezzanater - November 9th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
OK, here’s a toy you forgot, Beanie Kids. I have 2 kids that love Beanie Kids and at last count they were heading somewhere up to about 50 between them.
Even as early as yesterday, my daughter came home from the market with Winky Monster beanie Kid or something and she has informed that she wants to go back and get the Elf Beanie Kid.
Be Warned, don’t let your kids get into Beanie Kids, they multiple.
52. Profeh - November 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
It’s been a while since I laughed out loud at something online, barring videos! The list items are on-target, and the descriptions are absolutely hilarious. Oh, and I just have to mention:
“You learn the dark side of Legos the day you step on a rogue piece barefoot.”
This statement is beautiful, just beatiful! Thanks for the list, I love it.
53. Jessnz - November 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Chatter Rings!!I don’t know how popular they were in other countries but in NZ they were massive when i was at primary and intermediate. i can remember the constant noise of metal on metal, they used to drive my parents nuts!
54. Miss Destiny - November 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
If your kid is too young/stupid to know better than to eat Legos, then maybe you shouldn’t buy them for him/her. Otherwise, it is a pain finding them EVERYWHERE, lol. But I loved playing with them as a kid. We used to have Lego Demolition Derby parties at my uncle’s where we’d build Lego cars and smash them together, to see whose car would last the longest. I never won but I always had a blast with my family.
55. Mr.Crow - November 9th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Lego’s are the best childrens toy ever made. Finding them everywhere is a small price to pay for what your child will get out of it. I loved them and wouldn’t be the same person without them. Never avoid Legos, EVER. At least, that’s what I say.
56. Blitzen - November 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I think pets should be on this list somewhere. People should never give pets to other people’s children!
Comment #14, the problem with most of these toys is they are either very loud, or they have small parts that get scattered all over the house, later to be stepped on, sat on, or ingested by the family pet. I’m 39, and my parents still find the odd light-brite peg in their basement.
57. Palo - November 9th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I love legos, despite my parents never allowing any in the house…or possibly because we never had any
As for the musical instruments, they are pretty annoying when the child starts learning them, but after approx. 5-10 years of fairly hard work it might even pay off
58. Meg - November 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I think Duplos can be a substitute for Legos.
59. zubair kaka - November 9th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
world class list….i love the sarcasm!
60. krchuk - November 9th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Lego’s are great, but try extracting a tiny piece from the vacuum cleaner when you accidentally swallow one up and the kid’s seen it, and demands it back! Gross.
61. Precision - November 9th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I agree completely with this list…parents need to avoid all these shiny fun playthings and buy their kids more demure gifts like lumps of coal and potato sacks
Come on fun police, let the children play! Being a kid is awesome- sure it might be annoying at times for the parents, but then there’s a plethora of adult activities that kids get dragged along to where they’re expected to behave and act like…well, adults
62. arkz - November 9th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
hate to say it, ok maybe not hate but im in college and still mess with my old legos
63. Dustfinger - November 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
What’s wrong with Legos?! Legos are the best thing you could ever give your kid!!
64. Kittykat73 - November 9th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
The comments in the actual lists were the funniest I’ve read in ages on here. Had me chuckling. Well done lifeschool!
65. Ashleigh - November 9th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
No Easy Bake Oven?!
66. Jenna_Bug - November 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I think a lot of toys on here are great! I have no idea why parents would dread most of these…hmmm….
67. Amanda - November 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
This list could also be subtitled “Top Toys that can be shoved up nasal passages”.
Because I know of Play Doh, Lego, and paint making it into certain childhood orifices.
68. goof_ball - November 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
legos are so much fun
69. segue - November 9th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
67. Amanda:…“Top Toys that can be shoved up nasal passages”….
****
lol! lol! lol!
Oh, Amanda! You just reminded me of one of the funniest incidents I ran into raising my children.
My kids had this big Lionel train set, with all kinds of special cars including one that was an “ore carrier”. It was an open topped box car and you stopped it beneath a tower which held the “ore” (gold colored beads, about the size of blueberries). When you threw a switch, the “ore” funneled down from the tower into the boxcar.
Great so far, right?
Well, my son and his little sister were 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. Perfect ages for stuffing things into orifices, mommy had the flu and daddy was supposed to be watching the kids but was, instead, watching a football game.
My son comes into my room, where I am so sick I can barely focus on him.
“Mommy”, he says proudly,”I have gold up my nose!”
I grabbed his head and turned it around, and yep, way, way, way up there I could see the bottom of a bit of bead.
“Go get your dad”, I said, in as gruff a voice as I could muster.
At that moment, the little one come bounding in, all smiles.
“I have gold up my nose, too!”
Another look. Sure enough, this kid had beads up both nostrils.
Dad took them to the ER where they swabbed the inside of their nares with liquid cocaine, and removed the beads.
Next day, I’m feeling a tiny bit better. Dad has to go to work. Just about mid-morning my son comes into the kitchen, where I’m making tea.
“I have gold up my nose”, he says.
“Oh no your not getting away with that two days in a row”, I say. Where upon I take the kid, toss a handful of powdered pepper in his face, and he sneezed that bead half way across the room!
70. Siberia - November 9th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I was expecting to see BB gun on this list somewhere but I guess they aren’t always bad, It is the ultimate test of your childs responsibility and character.
I remember getting mine on my 10th christmas as did my friends that year on some awesome joint plan by all our dads, (except for one who was older and already had one but always left it out of our gunfights to keep it equal) and we were all big john wayne fanboys then.
So on December 26th of 1957 the great showdown took place in the woods about a mile from our houses. We had been playing with guns that shot rubber pellets at a fairly high speed for quite some time so we figured that the BB guns couldn’t hurt much worse than that…But we were very wrong. They went right through our clothes and left nice puncture wounds on the skin! So we shot eachother full of holes until we couldn’t take it anymore. Needless to say after getting our fill of seeing what they could do we were all alot more careful from then on, no animals were ever shot and whenever we disobeyed our parents rules and shot them indoors we were exremely careful, which in turn helped us develop near-perfect aim. And yes we still shot eachother after that and well into our late teenage years, but nobody ever got any serious injury as long as you don’t count the few times when somebody “accidentily” overpumped and got a steel ball drilled 1/2 an inch into someone elses butt cheek and we had to use one of those snake venom extracters to get it out…
Times seem to have changed though and parents don’t go for this sort of thing anymore, it’s a shame because death by choking on cheap plastic crap has always been much more common than death by projectile.
71. astraya - November 9th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
A kid’s karaoke machine up a nasal passage?
72. pinkdustcrisp - November 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
paint and musical instruments are bad toys? this is why everyone is completely brain dead
73. Jenna_Bug - November 9th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
pinkdustcrisp: I completely agree with you. Crappy list.
74. CRSN - November 10th, 2008 at 12:40 am
The 2 poster above obviously dont have kids, thank god.
75. Kikishua - November 10th, 2008 at 2:55 am
I do feel rather guilty about some of the presents I have given in the past to small-people-to-whom-I-am-related. I did learn my lesson eventually though - now I stick to books.
76. Wildlifeman - November 10th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I love the smell of Play Doh
77. xdr - November 10th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Actually, to clean up stickers use some brake cleaner fluid.
Very effective
78. Muttley - November 10th, 2008 at 5:37 am
I heartily maintain - as a parent (and now a grandparent) that THE most dreaded gift is the “construct-it-yourself-swing/slide-set” generally given to children by spiteful, “the wheel must turn” grandparents who had this form of Mediaeval torture inflicted upon THEM when they first had children by well-meaning parents of their own, by well-meaning aunts/uncles - - - or perversely, by THEMSELVES.
No toy in the known universe has the innate power to create an “instant divorce scenario” like one of these tubular-steel-construction devices, which are a hideous combination of Lego, Meccano and The Rack all rolled into one - it’s even possible that this item could easily top the list of the “Ten Most Heinous Torture Devices in History”.
Generally, the “gift” is handed over with an evil smirk by “old-hands” who are patently aware of the torture to come and who “but the children will love it” and then sit around and callously watch the young father attempt to read BAD construction directions written in Swahili and with some generic tools which twist when used and inevitably a rod/pole/bolt/nut/washer etc that is either in excess, missing, or refuses to line up without the judicious application of a 5-pound “Mashie Hammer” - the Divorce-point occurring when, as the victim’s temper has reached “absolute boiling point” from frustration the wife says “But darling shouldn’t this go there……?” Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggghh!!!!!
I STILL have nightmares and shudder whenever I see one of these appallingly malevolent constructions lurking in a back yard - thus far I have vigorously resisted my wife’s attempts to foist one off one our daughter foe HER partner to go insane over - - - htey have enough on their plate as it is!
79. Peri - November 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I play with Legos, wooden blocks and Potato Head people every Sunday in my Sunday School class…yeah, they’re annoying, but I make the kids clean up the mess so I don’t have to!
80. Morogh - November 10th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hey! I was with 100% up until Lego. Yes, the problems you describe exist, but the benefits outweigh a little care and cleanup. The other toys, now they have no benefits. Well, I guess there is a very slim chance a kid could actually develop a true interest in music.
THE most annoying gift to unleash on parents you feel need punishing is not drums or any noisemakers. Those can be “accidentally” lost or broken when the kid is asleep. No, the most devastating gift is a “Big Book of Jokes & Riddles”, or “Elephant Jokes”. Nothing puts a smile on an adult’s face like being peppered with humour that was antique in their grandparents’ time.
81. PT - November 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I was delighted to see #9 Bangers on the list. I haven’t thought of Bangers in years and the picture is exactly as I remember them the I saw the quote “Popular in the 1950’s and 60’s” Damn!!! When did I get so old?
82. joebecca - November 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am
there is no feeling quite like stepping on a lego….barefooted.
i’ve actually INVENTED swear words for that occasion!
83. Bento - November 10th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Lego’s ruled still have a huge tub of them
84. JayArr - November 10th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
OH DEAR GOD! I can’t believe the top two!! I grew up with Legos and Play Dough… my kids too. Only rule to remember about the dough is keep it in the kitchen (or dining if linoleum floored). The toys I always dreaded were the noise making junk that always needed batteries… Ever hear Elmo when his batteries were low? The sounds of demo-gorgon emanating from the baby’s room were tooooo much!
For those of you wondering what is great for toddlers and such, go with Duplo blocks (the chunkier version of Legos) - easy to play with and to pick up. Also, the ‘little peoples’ type toys are great.
Never buy noise making toys for the children of relatives and friends, or you will be getting the same (or worse) treatment from them next year… mark my words!
85. Alex - November 10th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
those swears used when i step on a peice of lego are far worse than used when one’s finger is cut off by a large bread knife. Also, a reason to banish play makeup is that it is very tasty. As for the 12 year old with a violin, i used to be in strings at that age and we didn’t sound half bad.
86. lifeschool - November 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Ahh, the days of innocence….
I’m Lifeschool - the maker of this list. I was in a very sarcastic mood when I wrote it, so I’m glad that went down very well. Sometimes, you wonder whither the Political Correctness crowd will step in and just BOOO you off.
For the record:
A - yes I have a 4 year old, and I’ve suffered the pain of most of these, essentially the noise makers.
B - All of these toys are obviously on the market as fun creations so don’t take my jokes to heart.
C - I used to have a Lego bucket until last year when it got passed down to the next generation. I am 32, and I still have a go at making a submarine before it got handed over.
D - Crazy Glue was originally on the list but didn’t make the top 10.
E - yes I have swallowed Play Doh and lego.
I have enjoyed your comments - and most of al those about swearing at lego. If anybody wants to read a very funny reply in the same sarcastic vain, try number 78.
Perhaps I’ll knock out another similar list for kids games i.e. marbles, conkers…? Thanks again for all your comments.
Lifeschool.
87. willbear - November 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Great list. My daughter got #8 last year, I couldn’t wait to throw it out.
88. LizzyPop - November 10th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Lol Legos and (eventually) Play-doh were not allowed at my house growing up because me and my brother left them all over the house….ahh good times good times
89. Siberia - November 10th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
The bottom line is that whatever you ge a kid or don’t get a kid they will still make messes frequently and annoy the hell out of everyone. If you ban all 10 of these toys it won’t matter. The bangers on this list have been banned for ages but boys (and maybe some girls) will always be finding things to blow up. Drums? Anything you see can be used as a drum for a bored kid.
Oh and anyone on here who complains about play doh has obviously had a child who plays with mud, and be lucky because a little dirt and water isn’t exactly something you can put a househole ban on!
90. ana - November 11th, 2008 at 5:19 am
lol lego’s..
I would make my dad do the buildings on the cover and when he was done I would wreck it lol omg
Then me & my sisters would build “twin towers” and wreck it again and again. It went everywhere and it hurted on the feet. Oh gosh and after that my mom & dad never bought anymore lego
91. BadAuntie - November 11th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Hilarious, made the mistake of reading at work and laughing out loud tho.
I was bad auntie at first because I sent bake sets, water works construction kits (very cool), ant farms and magic kits. Now I understand it is just my job to send books, and not to redact the sexist parts.
78 is for sure right on.
92. Blitzen - November 11th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
#80 Moragh: You are pure evil! Yes, the dreaded ‘Elephant Jokes” is the worst thing you can do to a parent.
93. bigski - November 11th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
All these toys would be considered outside toys if my kids had them !
94. sir fuxalot - November 13th, 2008 at 10:27 am
my parents couldn’t afford legos, i played with match boxes, and paper cutouts of GIjoes that i drew
but it was ok.
95. Raz - November 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
hahaha
PhuKkk this list
My kids will get what I GIVE THEM, i wont dread shit, coz no child can demand shit from its maker…
>:)
96. Callie - November 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
lol…Raz you don’t have kids yet, do you?
97. Anon. E. Mouse - November 14th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Ha… I’ve had my fair share of all of these in my life… Oh, the memories of the talking baby doll whose batteries were on the way out, or one the ‘learning’ toys my grandma had graced my little sister with. Legos crushed underfoot or lost for the ages under the couch. All the hours of being subjected to games of house with a demanding three-year-old next to her play kitchen.
All that said, I’d never deny a child any of these toys (except them bangers). They are all creatively stimulating and are presicely how I developed my artistic interests. Toys that I would consider dreadful, however, are Barbie and her ilk. Those just inspire little girls to grow into aspiring bulimic tramps.
No kids here as of yet, I think dealing with my cat and dog is good enough for now. I can still torture my mom by sending toys back for my little sister, though!
98. Nikki - November 14th, 2008 at 11:00 am
i used to love playing with lego lol until i stood on one.i was in pain, hopping around, clutching my foot in pain until i stood on one again with my other foot.i swore to never have anything to do with them again.im 16 now, think im doing pretty well in avoiding them
99. madcap - November 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
^^
Thats the spirit!
100. ajaxkid - November 17th, 2008 at 6:57 am
I still love an excuse to play with the legos… they are ADDICTING. I can think of nothing more enjoyable than sifting through boxes of Legos, trying to find that “right” piece and my kids sifting away right along side me.
Clay, paint, make-up… all these toys are welcome (no bangers, though, hehe hehe).
If the kids plastered stickers all over, oh well. They’re kids and I think it’s funny.
I enjoyed hearing the kids play their instruments and singing… something I could never do without being made fun of.
My kids are creative and I think I owe it to my not “freaking out” about a little paint here and there. Some kids are not allowed to touch so much as a marker inside the house and I think that’s sad.
Play away, children, play away! : )
101. Cernunnos - November 18th, 2008 at 1:59 am
i love lego, lego is awesome! its a form of art, in the right hands, though.
i have stepped on many-a pieces of lego, none have broken?
102. Nicosia - November 20th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I cringe every time my 5 year old daughter gets stickers…. They end up on the walls, the toys, the cats, the baby….
103. Denzell - November 21st, 2008 at 3:14 am
I predicted that toy make-up would be here. Wait, how about the new Girl Crush (featuring nail polish and hair dye) toys I see in Nickelodeon so often? That jingle that goes with the ad annoys me too. >:
104. Denzell - November 21st, 2008 at 3:17 am
Anyway, now I know why I was deprived of toys. I was only allowed to play on the street and watch children’s shows.
105. christiane - November 26th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I really enjoyed this list. You have a great sense of humor,lifeschool.
My children are teenagers now but I remember they had a go at most of the items on your list, except the bangers and karaoke machine. Yes, I admit it drove me nuts sometimes but in the end it was all good fun and the memories are priceless.
106. Firestar - December 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
These lists make me laugh. Thanks for another great list.
107. Denzell - December 21st, 2008 at 12:10 am
#76. Wildlifeman - November 10th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I love the smell of Play Doh
~me too!