Classic Toys will Never Die
James May – Scalextric @ Brooklands
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?
In the TV series ‘James May’s Toy Stories’ we see Mr May revisiting many of the classic toys that he enjoyed as a child. 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.
Mr May’s favourite toys all involve construction and making something. 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 series comes at a time when many of us are thinking about gifts for our children. The latest computer games and games consoles have been at the top of their gift lists for many years. Last year they wanted a Wii Fit and Guitar Hero. This year they want Santa to bring them DJ Hero.
I’ve been wondering which form of plaything is actually most beneficial to their development? Computer games and games consoles or construction toys like Meccano, Lego and Scalextric.
I belong to the same generation as James May. I grew up with Action Man, Meccano and Scalextric. It baffles me 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. Choo choo!
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