Jame May’s Toy Stories Inspires Gift Rethink

Posted on November 19, 2009
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Giant Scalextric Race

Will our children reflect on the toys and computer games that they have today with the same enthusiasm that James May exhibits for Plasticene, Meccano and Scalextric?

The TV series ‘James May’s Toy Stories’ sees the hirsute super geek of Top Gear fame revisiting his childhood toy favourites with a BBC budget and a bunch of screen writers. In the series Mr May builds a full size house from Lego, a huge bridge from Meccano and a massive 3 mile racing circuit from Scalextric.

The playthings that Mr May favours all involved construction. They come from a time when toys inspired an interest in construction, engineering and making things rather than escapism into a fantasy world of monsters and violence.

His TV programs are aired at a time of year when many of us are considering the Christmas gifts requested by our youngsters. Computer games have been at the top of their gift list for many years. Last year it was the Wii fit and Guitar Hero. This year they have asked Santa Claus for DJ Hero.

I’ve found myself thinking about which form of toy is actually the most beneficial for a childs education and development? Computer games and games consoles or construction toys like Meccano, Lego and Scalextric.

I come from the same generation as Mr May. I grew up with Action Man, Meccano and Scalextric. I’ve never really understood why computer games have grown to become as popular as they are today. Personally, I would get a lot more enjoyment and satisfaction from building a model railway circuit than I would from pretending to be a disk jockey or pretending to play guitar. But I suppose that by building a model railway I’d be pretending to be a railway construction engineer and train driver. Toot Toot!

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