Fresh Greens

Stick Inducted Into Toy Hall of Fame

By Maura Judkis

Posted: November 7, 2008

It's a wand, a snowman's arm, a drawing tool for sand, or, if you're an antagonistic little brother, a sword. Either way, it's a simple toy for complex imaginations. CNN tells us that the ecofriendliest toy of all - the simple stick - has earned a place of honor in the National Toy Hall of Fame. The stick joins such favorites as Mr. Potato Head, the kite and Atari as a favorite toy of all time for children (and canines).

"It's very open-ended, all-natural, the perfect price -- there aren't any rules or instructions for its use," said Christopher Bensch, the museum's curator of collections. I'm willing to bet that a greener toy doesn't exist.

I wonder, though - how many kids still play with sticks? My vote for the next Toy Hall of Fame inductee is another green pick - the leftover washing machine box. What's yours?

Pet Rock

It was just as green of a toy as a stick, and also should get added bonus points for fact that people have been using the rock for centuries. It was even in the bible. The pet rock is just as green as the stick, only the pet rock was made as a for-profit entity.

scott of IL @ Nov 17, 2008 15:24:16 PM

The Stick!

In a time when high tech keeps getting faster and better, it is so fun to see a stick is just a stick! No directions required! I love when kids use their imaginations and it (the stick) can become whatever tool/instrument is needed. What about the stone, too!

Thank you for the story!

sandy J. of IL @ Nov 14, 2008 13:49:34 PM

Toys

Susan: Glad to hear it!

Tom: Definitely with you on the creek - that was my favorite, growing up. Problematic, perhaps, for a museum setting - but I wish more kids were as lucky as me to have one in their backyard.

Maura Judkis of DC @ Nov 13, 2008 17:39:50 PM

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Fresh Greens

Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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