Hey listen, even though I grew up in San Diego, California, I can relate to these toys!

Here is my theory - SUMMER is SUMMER, whether you are in North Dakota or San Diego, and as a kid, every toy you come across, you will find out later that you'll never forget them. I guarantee you will recognize and remember for yourself all the good times you had with these toys.

1) LAWN DARTS

Well you get the idea, the darts are much bigger than the picture below, and you aim them at a target on grass ( not your brother's back )

thamerpic Getty Images
thamerpic Getty Images
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2) Chemistry Sets with Real Chemicals

All I can say is "Yikes, a 7-year-old handling some bubbling concoction."

MadamLead Getty Images
MadamLead Getty Images
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3) Sock’em Boppers

“More fun than a pillow fight!” Sock’em Boppers were inflatable boxing gloves that turned every playroom into Fight Club. The commercial said they were safe. The commercial lied.

arturkurjan Getty Stock
arturkurjan Getty Stock
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4) Big Wheels

Well of course NOT as big as the picture below - Big Wheels were tiny little cars that kids could play with ( and throw them at their big brother's back ) - I'm sure every kid in Bismarck had one or two.

DrawnToBeWild
DrawnToBeWild
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5. Swing Wing

I have to tell you that I have never heard of this toy. What is a Swing Wing? The Swing Wing was exactly what it sounds like—a beanie with a weighted cord attached. No, it's not the swing you would imagine, as picture below

monkeybusinessimages Getty Images
monkeybusinessimages Getty Images
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6). Water Wiggle

Here is another one that is lost on me - I'm guessing there is water involved here. The Water Wiggle is attached to your garden hose and whipped around like an angry snake.

Konoplytska Getty Images
Konoplytska Getty Images
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( SEE ALSO: "FARGO IS GETTING READY FOR A TRUE FAMILY ADVENTURE" )

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7) Creepy Crawlers Thing-Maker

No this isn't your big brother crawling around the ground. An Easy-Bake Oven for boys. Except instead of cupcakes, you made bugs. With molten plastic. And zero safety features.

ViniSouza128 Getty Stock
ViniSouza128 Getty Stock
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8) Slip ‘N Slide (Original Version)

THIS was everywhere when I was a kid - the hotter the day, the better! A thin sheet of plastic. A garden hose. A running start. ( Just get that blanket and basket out of the way first )

sofiaworld Getty Stock
sofiaworld Getty Stock
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9) Metal Playground Equipment

Good old-fashioned slide that seemed like 3 stories high!

mustafabilgesatkin Getty Stock
mustafabilgesatkin Getty Stock
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10. Wood Burning Kits

Wood burning kits came with a pen that heated to 750 degrees. The safety instructions? “Don’t touch the metal part.” That was it.

Leno Marin Getty Stock
Leno Marin Getty Stock
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11. Stretch Armstrong

I guess "Stretch" was his name??? A rubber man filled with corn syrup gel. Sorry no picture to even show what "Stretch" looked like - for sure your big brother didn't look like him.

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12. Clackers (Click Clacks)

Oh boy does this bring back memories - the fun little two balls that made an irritating noise ( and kept my mom from taking her afternoon nap ) - Clackers were simple: swing the balls up and down until they smacked together above and below your hand. Santa eventually came back to take those damn things away. Clackers were not designed to throw at your big brother's back.

treemouse Getty Stock
treemouse Getty Stock
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So there you have it! Did I bring back some memories of your youth, or of your big brother?


 

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