Old Toys, New Stories

Toys aren’t just for kids—even adults have their favorite toys! Prompt your students to connect with people in their community by learning more about toys and trends from the past.

First, ask students to choose an adult in their life, such as a family member, teacher or neighbor, to interview. In their interview, students should ask: What’s a toy you loved growing up? Why did you love it? What memories do you have with it? As they interview, students should write, draw or voice-record responses. Note: If the adult doesn’t have a favorite toy, students could interview them about their favorite childhood cartoon or television show instead.

Afterward, challenge each student to recreate their interviewee’s favorite toy using materials they have at home or in the classroom. One by one, ask students to share the childhood story of their community member along with the toy they made.

To culminate, prompt each student to give their DIY toy to the person they interviewed as a reminder of their childhood joy.