Submitted by Chelsea V, gravity defier.

You know the deal: Build something big and colorful–a plastic technicolor maze–drop a marble in the top, and watch it find its way down. Like so many toys, this one is marketed as educational, on the basis, apparently, that it teaches kids about gravity. But, I mean, other than “the marble goes down,” I think it would be hard to argue that the lesson is an intense one. Still: Colorful creations with moving parts? Always a win.

Submitted by Molly

Cardboard bricks were the stuff dreams were made of. And by dreams, I mean kick ass forts. They made pretty feeble forts though, and could be quickly overthrown by kootie-infested girls breaking through the cardboard ramparts.

Submitted by JP Marcantonio

As a child, I always thought the motion of the bird had something to do with perpetual motion. But as child, I WAS CLEARLY WRONG (childhood conception of physics fail). The drinking bird is actually an example of thermodynamics — like a heat engine. Duh.

YouTube explains:

Submitted by katsak

With the Mickey Mouse Talking Phone, you could invite all of your favorite Disney characters over, then feel like this later.

What’s up with this ad? Are the kids crank calling Mickey? Oh, she said party, not potty…

Submitted and Written by Rachael G

Kids today would just hate this. Were we so easily amused??? I remember them being wooden and plastic and often had a big plastic needle and yarn. They were often in shapes like a cat, an apple, etc. Are these even still made?