| After buying toys for my kids I am sometimes | | | | add-ons for each new series. For example the |
| overwhelmed by how short a time it takes before | | | | Pyrates series has two main boats-Dread Eye's |
| the latest toy that they always wanted is discarded. | | | | Phantom and Captain Cutlass's Stormstalker. The |
| Left for dead under the bed or tossed into the | | | | other main bases for the series are the Pyrates |
| wardrobe to be forgotten about. Or sometimes, and | | | | Cove and the Smuggler's Fort with the Pyrates |
| these are the times I like, the imagination takes over | | | | Treasure Pack and Pyrates Skull Cave and any |
| and the toy is transformed into something else or | | | | number of figurines as add-ons. So if your little boy |
| combined with other toys. I have spent countless | | | | falls in love with the Pyrates there would seem to be |
| dollars on little Barbie dresses and now Barbie is | | | | a never ending supply of toys to choose from. A |
| wrapped up in a handkerchief with a shoelace for a | | | | slight variation on this theme is the classic game, |
| belt. I don't know where this idea for the latest | | | | Monopoly, which now has countless versions all based |
| fashion came from, but then again children see things | | | | on the original game. These are not really add-ons |
| differently from us. This same philosophy of children | | | | they just make the game more appealing to a wider |
| losing interest is possible behind why the toy makers | | | | audience. Instead of just the property game, now |
| are always adding to the existing models. Barbie has | | | | you can get dinosaur, cat, car and sports monopoly |
| been going for many years and she is always being | | | | along with scenery and fishing and many more. |
| upgraded with different accessories. The latest Barbie | | | | If you are a dinosaur fan then Dinosaur Monopoly, to |
| is a rather elegant model that came out as the | | | | find out if you end up extinct or not, is the game for |
| Chinese New Year Barbie with an elegant price to | | | | you. Kids love new things, especially popular toys |
| match. One toy set I like and my kid keeps collecting | | | | they can show off to their friends. But we parents |
| is the Littlest Pet Shop. This has been around since | | | | have to fork out our hard earned cash. I must admit |
| the 80's so now the older stuff would be collector's | | | | in most cases I do it willingly because I like to see |
| items. There are untold pieces and many different | | | | my kid happy. Now I'm starting to check myself and |
| accessories. This little playset is reasonable priced and | | | | before I buy I like to think my money is going to |
| buying up the little pets won't break the bank. Every | | | | good use. So if I buy one in a series and the kid does |
| time another add-on hits the market there are usually | | | | not play with it I do not buy anymore, despite the |
| only two new pets in the box, but on the picture on | | | | tantrums. When we parents are up against modern |
| the box you see pictures of many lovely little pets. | | | | advertising and exquisite packaging designs we have |
| This is an excellent marketing strategy and should | | | | no chance. So the best weapon we have is to say |
| guarantee future sales. But us parents are at the | | | | "NO" and mean it. |
| receiving end. Looking around the toyshops many | | | | Article by copyright © Peter Legrove 2006, at |
| different toy sets do the same thing. I suppose it | | | | You have permission to reprint this article. Use it on |
| keeps the children interested and looking forward to | | | | your website, in your ezine or newsletter or in any |
| something new. MEGA BLOKS has many different | | | | printed form. |