Im not that old, but I do wonder at what point, if ever, is it sad to find toys/stuff designed for young people fun?
I dont like hunting and meat smokers. Or sports. Im into classic consoles and rc cars and Legos. Sometimes I feel like people have kids just so they can try to relive their own kid days. But I do that on a daily basis. Im surrounded by “kid” stuff, right down to 90s vhs cartoons and a Bop it.
My co workers would think its very odd that I spent the weekend playing atari and building legos. I guess I did put up some wood paneling too. But most other people were probably trucking their kids to sports practice and smoking a hog.
It’s not sad, it is infantalizing, whether that’s “good or bad…”
https://theconversation.com/the-infantilization-of-western-culture-99556
As to spectating sports (rather the participation) :)
Visiting America in 1946, French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss commented on the endearingly infantile traits of American culture. He especially noted adults’ childish adulation of baseball, their passionate approach to toy-like cars and the amount of time they invested in hobbies.
Never. You like what you like.
Toys generically is kinda big. It would be sad if all you could do was play with only one set for months. If you’re constantly getting new-to-you toys then it’s just something you enjoy and love.
I am a reseller so I do get new things to play with. Ironically I don’t mess with toys that much. Old LCD screen toys are neat and leap frog stuff comes to mind.
Children’s toys like games are limited in their function and scope. I don’t think that makes playing with them sad ever but it can be more rewarding to make things with less constraints some times.
I feel like Ive been playing less games now that games turned to hobbies turn to a career in which I can try to solve complex problems in more creative ways.
I still play with blocks, little puzzles, games, etc though, so again a hard cut off doesn’t really make sense to me.
It’s sad when you cry while playing with them. Unless the story you came up with while playing was just so good it brought a tear to your eye.
I say anything that fuels creativity is a good hobby to have. Legos can build lots of things especially if you have a engineering mind.
Atari games I’m sure are fun, but I’m also sure they spark some kind of imagery in your mind that if applied elsewhere (ie art) could be seen as creative. Or you know… Just fun.
Where i draw the line: you’re 30+ yrs old, and no kids but your favorite show is Bluey… 😒
Of course do whatever makes you happy.
But, from my pov… Given time most people downsize eventually, sometimes financial realities unfold and all the toys and collectibles you don’t have room to store gotta go, and often you don’t get what they are worth if you sell them. If you plan of giving them away or don’t think that kind of change will happen in the near future, then continue to enjoy.
I want to say never. My career is now 2-5 years and I really enjoy helping pick out toys and seeing what they do, and sharing that with my littles. I had a classroom full of toys at one point for different needs. Toys are cool. I like “grown up” shit too like my computer and video games but I will absolutely go into a tree house and slide down a slide or ride that little roller coaster thing we have in the clinic. Not everyone is going to understand in the same way people give side-eye for riding the shopping cart across the parking lot. Like what you like, just be aware those reactions are conditioned into people over a lifetime.
Do what you like, but I‘d advise you to try some of the things others do. If you don’t like it, fine. If you do, you enhanced your horizon.
In my opinion there are people who just stick to what they know. Therefore, enhance your horizon.
Do what thou wilt.
I believe you are asking a specifically biased and chambered audience
personally I don’t have any of this little baby nostalgia
I’m torn. On one hand people should like what they like and that’s that - it’s nobody’s business. On the other, I once worked with a morbidly obese and very unpleasant guy who was obsessed with various toys and figurines. It’s hard for me not to associate such a child-like obsession with a general failure to grow up and take a bit of responsibility for your life.
That said I watched Transformers:The Movie with my kids recently, and remembered just how much I loved it.
My perception of someone with a toys hobby is similar to what you describe, but only if:
- do not know anything else about them, or
- other facts about them do not override this perception that is created by the little toys and cartoon characters
Never.
I’m 48 and this is only a small part of my home office.
Being an adult lets me make adult money and spend it how I see fit. Always wanted a Lego Star Wars collection. Now I just need better displays.
When you either have no personality outside of liking childrens toys, or you find yourself rushing into a store and elbowing people, potentially children, out of the way, so that you can get the toy first.
Ooh no. Im embarrassed just looking at the hotwheels in a store, lol
Dude, I went into a Walgreens for a drink the other day and I saw two things I wanted but can’t justify buying:
a large Bluey squishmallow and the Hotwheels Action City playset. The same one they had when I was a kid, and it came with like 10 cars.
Walgreens is probably the best place to get toys. just say, “my little nephew is sick”, and nobody will judge.
Not nearly as sad as avoiding something you enjoy just because somebody else might find out.
Misery likes company.
My SIL “jokes” that I “must be autistic” because I didn’t want to have kids and like to play legos with my niece.“You’re a very childish adult”, “you don’t want to grow up” well fuck her, you know what she likes? doomscrolling tiktok, following “influencers” and complaining about her kids. I’m VERY happy being who I am and going to keep ignoring her stupid ass
I have an uncle in his 40s, no wife or kids, just buys the newest games and locks himself in his room. Nothing wrong with doing what makes you happy.
