The "Classics"

I think one of the biggest perks for those of us with children is that we get to play with toys again! We can say that we are playing with Barbies or coloring with our kids to make the kids happy, but let's be honest. Really, we adults get to have a ton of fun playing with toys or coloring in a coloring book.

I have been thrilled this season to see some fun toys out in the market that I played with as a kid. Some people like to call these toys the "classics," but that equates to "old" in my mind...and I'm not ready to go there yet!

Here are some of the toys I've seen that we all had a blast playing with in our youth. Check them out...just be sure to let your kids have a turn playing with these once in a while!

• Deluxe Spirograph: Just like the Spirograph you played with, but now in Deluxe form (i.e. it offers even more stuff to do)!
• Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots: Toy robots that beat each other up? Does it GET any better than that?
• Shrink Art: It's still a ton of fun to color the pictures, put them in the oven, and watch them as they shrink. And unlike the version we had as kids (you'd shrink them, but then what could you do with them???), you can now make jewelry out of your artwork.
• Chutes & Ladders: This is still one of the best games out there. And this Collector Series version makes a great gift for anyone with young kids.
• Rubik's Cube: If you still haven't beaten it, now's your chance!
• Connect Four: Sorry for the bad pun, but this is a great way to "connect" with your kids and teach them about strategy at the same time. I had a great time playing this with my nieces and nephews over Thanksgiving weekend.
• Jacks: Yes, jacks are fun. If you think otherwise and that they are only meant for those born in the 1910s, that means you have never played them. This is truly an addictive game.

I could go on and on, but instead, I'll let you browse the HorizonPlay.com Classic Toys & Games store for yourself. Have fun playing!