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"Let's Play a Game!"
Forget the frenzy of trading Pokemon game cards, standing hours in line for the latest Beanie Baby releases, and paying the high cost of virtual reality games for Playstation II -- I wanna play "The Game of Life" and "Monopoly!" (And apparently, so do many others on "Family Night!")

Many of the classics that amused us yesterday continue to delight generation after generation of children. Familiar names like "Barbie™" and "Duncan Imperial Yo-Yo" bring back treasured memories of childhood play. And for those of you who managed to hold on to your toys and games, the world of collectibles shows that you made a wi$e decision!

Join me as we take a look back at some of our beloved Vintage Toys and Games. Who knows? You may even locate a cherished favorite available for purchase!

Now... whose turn was it to roll the dice?

The Original Little Red Wagon™
Hands up, please! How many of you know the name of America's favorite children's wagon? You know the one... with its polished cherry-red paint, coal-black rubber tires over bright-white steel rims and the distinctive logo emblazoned along both sides? Why, it's Radio Flyer, of course!

It's hard to imagine that the contemporary design of the Radio Flyer wagon has withstood the test of time - over 80 years! In fact, its classic shape has been trademarked along with 29 other patents including safety features like its rolled metal edges and ball joint - between the handle and the wagon bolster. Warning! You'll have to bookmark this site for a return visit - you won't believe how much history and product information is associated with this "icon of Americana!"
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Criss-Cross Words
Long before there was a "Vanna" and "Can I buy a vowel?" there was a game called, "Criss-Cross Words" - better known today as "Scrabble." This board game, which combines the "vocabulary skills of crossword puzzles and anagrams, with the additional element of chance," was the invention of an out-of-work architect, Alfred M. Butts in the 1930's, and later trademarked in 1948.

At the official Hasbro Scrabble website, you can learn to score more bonus points, join the National Scrabble Association (NSA), and maybe even figure out what to do with the letter 'Q'! By the way, did you know that the definition of "Scrabble" is "to grope frantically?"
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National Toy Hall of FameŽ
Did your favorite toy make it into The National Toy Hall of Fame? Do you know who invented the Erector Set? For the answers to these questions and more, you'll want to stop by A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village! This hands-on children's museum, founded in 1989 in Salem, Oregon, is designed for kids of all ages. Their mission is to "provoke curiosity, inspire awe, foster enjoyment, encourage learning, and enable understanding in all youth." (A.C. Gilbert, a native Oregonian, held 150 patents for toys and inventions at the time of his death in 1961.)
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"It's Your Turn!"
The next best thing to playing with our toys and games is... talking about them! Here are a couple of forums to get you started, and I'll keep my eyes open for more!
Hasbro Collectors
"Extraordinary Collectibles for Exceptional People." A gold mine of threads for some of your favorite toys and games! You'll see the latest buzz from collectors on board games (including Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Parcheesi, etc.), Action Figures (GI Joe, Batman, Superman, etc.), Tonka, Die-Cast toys and more!
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Army Men Toy Soldier Forum
Don't let the name discourage you - this forum is not just "army men!" They also discuss special collecting events, buy/sell/trade info, collecting tips and techniques on many toy figures including army men, knights, Vikings, medievals, wild west, frontier, Romans and ancients, and toy figure manufacturers. You can even share your toy soldier memories and stories!
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