Toy - Definition

This article is about things that people play with. See also Toys for the 1992 film of that name starring Robin Williams; or toy dog, referring to one of many very small breeds of dog.

A toy is something to play with, for children, adults or both. They may either be the sole device used in an enjoyable activity or one of many. A number of toys are associated with particular decades.

Many successful films, television programs, books and sport teams have official merchandise, quite often toys will be made and sold. The most notable examples are Star Wars and Manchester United. The haulage company owned by Eddie Stobart produced model lorries, which now subsidise the business.

Toys sold primarily as entertainment for adults are termed executive toys as some were originally marketed as a way to reduce executive stress. The term also avoids 'adult toy' which has connotations of sex toys used to enhance sexual excitement.

Examples

• Construction toys
  • LEGO
  • Lincoln Logs
  • Meccano
  • K'NEX
  • Stickle bricks
• Cuddly toy
  • Teddy bear
• Decoder pen
• Chinese yo-yo (diabolo)
• Digital pet
• Doll
• Footbag
• Frisbee (1950s)
• Hula hoop (1960s)
• Jack-in-the-box
• Jumping Jack
• Kaleidoscope
• Marbles
• Mechanical toy
• Model building
  • Model car
  • Model railway
    • Carpet railway
• Model collecting
  • Matchbox cars
• Nerf
• Pogo stick [1] (http://www.dawnwestlake.com/english/scene/2001/082001/images/LluispiernasenLABJ.JPG)
• Rubik's Cube (1980s)
• Soap-box cart
• Sock monkey
• Spinning top
• Stuffed animals
• Toy piano
• Toy soldier
• Toy tool
• Toy weapon
• Yo-yo (1930s onwards)
• Zoetrope

Related topics

• Game
• List of toy brands
• Sex toy

Toy - Example Usage