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Toys That Foretell The Future

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A non-scientific look at the possible connections between our favourite childhood toys and the things we enjoy in later life

When a child plays with a toy they are having fun, developing new skills and learning about the world they live in. But are they attracted only by its colours, shapes, textures and sounds or is there something else going on, unknown, a little deeper in their psyche?

Do the playthings we favour when we are young give any clues as to what our future life will hold? Most toddlers will enjoy cuddling a soft toy, learning to throw colourful bouncy balls and anything that makes a noise; but when they are old enough to begin choosing one toy over another, do the ones they repeatedly come back to indicate the things that will feature strongly in their adult life?

To investigate this idea, I have considered my own favourite toys from childhood and those of people I know, in search of any tangible links between the toys we loved as children and the jobs, hobbies and passions we have been drawn to as adults.

The Theory Explored:

(Contents)

  1. Early signs
  2. What the "experts" say ...
  3. My Own Experience
  4. My Top 5 Favourite Childhood Toys
  5. The Chicken and Egg Question
  6. Re-live your childhood!
  7. What are your thoughts?
  8. The story so far ...
  9. RocketMoms are Great Lensmasters!

Early signs

We have all seen photos of famous sportsmen and women sitting in their first (toy) racing car or clutching their first swimming trophy, and David Beckham kicking his first football - these were children who clearly showed their life's dream at a very early age. But what about those of us with less "celebrated" lives and careers?

My husband, for example, remembers a couple of similar toys that were his childhood favourites: Betta Bilda (an early Lego-type construction set by Airfix, with proper interlocking roof tiles) and another construction kit that was made of actual tiny red clay bricks, which were pasted together to make very real-looking houses. It may or may not come as a surprise to you to learn that he has spent almost his entire working life within the construction industry!

My son, like many little boys, had a large collection of Dinky cars; more than just a favourite toy, however, they were his absolute passion. Very rarely did any other toy get a look in. His first job on leaving school? Yep - motor mechanic!

I have a friend whose best playtimes were spent with a "Mary Mary Quite Contrary" board game, featuring tiny plants and flowers made of plastic; she is now an avid gardener with a vast garden to tend. I have another friend who is a keen Bigfoot researcher. Her favourite childhood toy? A furry monkey!

Betta Bilda
Dinky

Picture credit: Lego Shop

Construction kits on eBay

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"When I grow up I'm going to be ... a ship's captain!" 

What the "experts" say ...

A little research into my theory soon showed me that psychologists and parents alike are, quite understandably, more concerned about any positive and negative effects particular toys and certain types of play might have on children. Most available study results on this topic are to do with the pros and cons of gender-specific and potentially damaging toys that might influence a child's social and emotional development (dolls and guns featuring strongly in these discussions).

There is a lot of information - and much disagreement - about the rights and wrongs of giving "girl toys" to girls and "boy toys" to boys ... and vice versa! However, there is a dearth of comparative study into whether or not our toy of choice in early years has any bearing on our later careers, hobbies and passions. One writer did cite findings from the "London Psychology Institute" as suggesting that:

"we are strongly influenced in later life by our childhood toys."

The research apparently found links between different types of childhood play and a child's emotional, intellectual and social development.

(I could not, unfortunately, find any such body as the "London Psychology Institute", so could not verify his/her statement.) See full article

"When I grow up I'm going to be ... a hairdresser!" 

Retro and vintage toys on eBay

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My Own Experience

As I was unable to find any scientific study to prove or disprove my theory, I have only my own experience - and those of my family and friends - to go on. Up to now I have not mentioned any of my own favourite childhood toys; there is a good reason for this: I had so many favourites! I would enjoy a particular plaything for a while, then get tired of it and move on to something else. (Interesting, then, that as an adult I have many and varied interests ... which I enjoy for a while, then get tired of and move on to something else!!)

I have managed to come up with a "Top 5" list, though, which represent some particular loves of mine and, without too much stretching of the imagination, seem to have hinted at where my life was to lead me ...

My Top 5 Favourite Childhood Toys

Some are activities, rather than actual toys, but these represent my most joyful abiding memories and, with the exception of Jacko, have remained great loves of mine right into adulthood.
  1. Reading books - this has to be my number one, as it was a favourite throughout my childhood. And yes, I still love reading now ... I am also a writer of short stories, poetry and novels!
  2. Playing the piano and singing - I spent countless hours picking out tunes on my mother's piano and singing. Throughout my adult life I have been a singer, both amateur and semi-professional.
  3. Paper dressing-up dolls - I had hundreds of these wonderful activity books, which may have been a precursor to my love of clothing design. Although not yet realised, it has long been my dream to have a fancy dress-making business!
  4. Doll's house - well ok, actually, I never had one! My less-than-wealthy parents could never afford to give me - their sixth child - this much coveted toy, but I was always totally absorbed and endlessly fascinated by doll's houses. Not for the dolls, though - my interest was always in the decoration of the rooms and the positioning of the furniture. Interestingly, I also now love interior design have chosen the decor for all the houses my husband and I have renovated over 30+ years!
  5. Jacko - an adorable stuffed monkey with rubber ears, nose, face and hands, who was my best friend for years. Even when one foot had melted through being left too close to an open fire; even when his ear had been chewed by the dog; even he had lost one hand and my mother had stitched on a patch at the end of his arm ... I still adored him!

    Do I still love monkeys now? Of course I do, but then, who doesn't?

The Chicken and Egg Question

So which DID come first?

Are we born with inherent likes and dislikes that inform our choice of particular toys over others? And do these choices give some indication of the careers paths and interests we will follow as adults?

Or perhaps it is down to the toys themselves? Could it be that the ones we are given to play with as children have an impact on how our future lives pan out?

There is a third possibility, of course. It could be that the things we enjoy or excell in as adults cause us to remember our "favourite toys" with bias! It's entirely possible that David Beckham only played football as a child under duress ... he may have wanted to be a surgeon and his favourite toy at the time might actually have been "Operation"!!

Or maybe there isn't a link at all. In the absence of serious scientific study, I suppose we can only ruminate about whether our once-loved toys and games bear any relationship to our adult choices ... and, if we believe there IS a link, contemplate what the future might hold for our own children as we watch them at play!

Re-live your childhood!

Fancy a trip down memory lane? Here are a few links to sites that offer toys and games from the past ... at a price!
Alvin's Vintage Games and Toys (UK based)
Marvellous site for retro and vintage games! Huge selection of old board games, puppets and other toys.
Vintage Toy Box (UK based)
Lots of collectable and discontinued toys, board games, out of print children's books and annuals, as well as a few vintage jigsaw puzzles. From the 60s to early 90s.
TimeWarp Vintage Toys (US based)
1950s 1960s 1970s Vintage Old Toys & Collectibles
Vintage Toys (US based)
"A world class toy related website dedicated to keeping the Vintage Toy hobby active"

Further reading on toy and play psychology from Amazon

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What are your thoughts?

Please let me know you've dropped by - I'd love to hear your thoughts on this theory, or just what you think of my lens!

Thanks for visiting ... do come again!

  • KarenTBTEN May 1, 2010 @ 11:37 pm | delete
    It's an interesting discussion. I think we're often drawn to certain types of activities because of our developing personalities -- but ultimately all three of the possibilities you mention are true at least some of the time. Your list shares some commonalities with mine. I too had the paper dolls and longed for the dollhouse.
  • Pukeko Sep 21, 2009 @ 6:08 pm | delete
    very interesting lens. Love it!
  • a_willow Sep 9, 2009 @ 6:20 am | delete
    Excellent lens raising some interesting questions! :) Well done! Blessed by an Angel!
  • MarinaKuperman Sep 7, 2009 @ 4:26 pm | delete
    Very interesting lens an funny lens... keep up the good work, I fanned you and fived you :)
  • annmackiemiller Sep 1, 2009 @ 8:32 am | delete
    brilliant Val - xxx
  • momto4 Aug 25, 2009 @ 8:01 pm | delete
    A very interesting and unique lens! Great job!
  • happynutritionist Aug 23, 2009 @ 2:04 pm | delete
    Like someone else said, wasn't expecting this, thought it was going to be a fortune telling lens, but was pleasantly surprised! 5 stars and a lensroll to you:-) claudia
  • capriliz Aug 23, 2009 @ 9:30 am | delete
    Very fun lens!
  • mysticmama Aug 22, 2009 @ 1:11 pm | delete
    very interesting, not what I was expecting...thought you'd have the magic 8-ball...but this is cooler!
  • SherryHolderHunt Aug 21, 2009 @ 11:37 am | delete
    Heheehe, I think we're on the same wave link. I'm an artist, I did my lens on the Spirograph and I wondered if my parents had given me the game Operation if I might have been a doctor. Very thought provoking lens! 5*s
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The story so far ...

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by

Val_Bonney

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An aspiring novelist, I also enjoy writing short stories, poetry, memoirs, game reviews, internet content ...

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