Barbie Still Makes the list

With Christmas just around the corner, I saw where the 2021 "Toy of the Year Awards" were named. Drum Roll Please!

They are:

• Star Wars: The Child Animatronic Edition Toy (ie Yoda)
• LEGO Star Wars The Razor Crest
• Barbie Color Reveal
• LEGO Super Mario Bowser's Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set
• PAW Patrol Dino Patroller
• LEGO Ideas Grand Piano
• PLAYMOBIL Back To The Future DeLorean

As usual there are nods to plastic and well known brands (LEGO, Barbie, Star Wars). These names date me. Barbie debuted in 1959 (the year I was born). LEGO was introduced in 1932 (the year my mother was born), and the first Star Wars movie was released as I graduated from high School (May 1977).

But, showing that some things never change, but evolve. I was heartened to see that the Creative Toy for 2021 was: Crayola Crayons  (24 box) with the colors representing skin tones from across the world. This is brilliant. And thankfully, not something as I feared - edible crayons, each a Skittles' flavor.

FWIW, the 2020 Toy of the Year was the L.O.L. Surprise! I would have no clue as to what this is, except for my granddaughters.

The National Toy Hall of Fame was introduced in 1998. The  first class included 17 toys: Barbie, Crayola Crayon, Erector Set, Etch-A-Sketch, Frisbee, Hula Hoop, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Marbles, Monopoly, Play-Doh, Radio Flyer wagon, Roller Skates, Teddy Bear, Tinkertoys, View-master, Duncan Yo-Yo. Of these 17,  I had everyone with exception of roller skates!

The Toys of the Year for most of my childhood were:

• 1965 James Bond Aston Martin die-cast car (Didn't have one, but would love to)
• 1966 Action Man
• 1967 Spirograph (I had and loved)
• 1968 Sindy (I clueless)
• 1969 Hot Wheels Cars (I played with my brothers.)
• 1970 Sindy (I'm still clueless)
• 1971 Katie Kopykat Writing Doll
• 1972 Plasticraft Modelling Kits
• 1973 Mastermind - Board Game

It just shows that something never change, however, like fast food chains, franchises even dominate the world of toys.