The holiday season is upon us, and with the festive celebrations and decorations comes the barrage of shiny new toys lining store shelves. In honor of the kid in all of us, we decided to ask a few popular Rochesterians about their own favorite childhood toys. Whether you're looking for last-minute gift ideas or just want to take a little trip back to childhood, we think you'll enjoy what they have to say!
Mayor Robert Duffy
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
“My Adirondack baseball bat/Rawlings baseball glove. I have played sports my entire life, 
but as a child baseball was my first love. I still remember playing baseball as a 3-4 year old in a vacant lot near our home at that time, on Akron Street in Rochester. Great Memories!”
What were your kids' favorite toys?
“Barbie dolls and Bert and Ernie dolls. My two daughters loved their Barbies and outfits, as well as Bert and Ernie which they seemed to carry everywhere.”
What’s the #1 toy you think has withstood the test of time?
“Yo-Yo's, Barbie, Slinky, Radio Flyer Red Wagon, Etch-A-Sketch….It is hard to pick just one!”
Rochester City School District Superintendent Jean Claude Brizard
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
"Growing in a small town in Haiti, many of the toys that we played with were homemade. My favorite toy for a long time was a self-made version of Chutes and Ladders. I loved it because it was my creation and I loved the combination of strategy and luck that came with playing the game.”
Rebecca Leclair, WHEC News 10NBC Anchor
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
“I loved doing jump rope with my sister and friends. We were not double-dutch stars by 
any means, but I loved jumping in and skipping over the rope and singing those little ditties... "Cinderella, dressed in yella...went upstairs to kiss a fella...made a mistake and kissed a snake...how many doctors did it take?"
What’s the #1 toy you think has withstood the test of time?
“As for the number one toy...it's the baby doll. Every girl (and a lot of boys) has played with a baby doll – it's the natural instinct to show love to a little baby and pretend that that baby loves you back! Hours and hours of play have been devoted to loving baby dolls and playing "Mommy"!”
Ginny Ryan, 13 WHAM News Anchor
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
"My favorite toy is not an original but a classic, for sure. I played with my Barbie or Ken for hours. Ken was a hand me down – always losing his right arm with old clothes but those dolls made for hours of imaginative play. They lacked a house and car but that made it all the more interesting because they were always on the move – living in new places I created for them."
Susan Trien, Director of Public Relations and Advertising at Strong National Museum of Play®
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
"Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, my favorite toy was my bright pink, Spaulding rubber ball. I can't count how many wonderful hours I spent with my friends outside on the sidewalks and alleyways of Brooklyn, conjuring up a myriad of games with just one round little bright pink rubber ball. We played hand ball, stoop ball, hit the penny, "A" My Name is, and lots of other wonderful games. I can't imagine growing up in the streets of Brooklyn without a ball to bounce around!"
What’s the #1 toy you think has withstood the test of time?
"How can you name just one all-time classic? There are so many, as you can see when you visit Strong's National Toy Hall of Fame. As of this year's 2009 induction we have 44 toys admitted to the hall – and there are lots more to come! I'd say that what makes a toy an all-time classic is that it can provide hours and hours of open-ended fun, learning, and creativity no matter how many times you play with them. Jump rope, for example, does that. So do kites, baby dolls, checkers, and Crayola Crayons, all among hall of fame inductees. I honestly can't single just ONE out!"
Ben Murphy, Founder of TheFatherLife.com
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
"My bike. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and would tool around farm fields on my BMX bike with friends. I just love the fact that you can hop on and go. No agenda, no plan, just enjoying the adventure. To this day mountain biking is my favorite activity, hands down."
What are your kids' favorite toys?
"Well, I have 3 girls, and they love Littlest Pet Shop toys... not sure why. But they also love playing outdoors, and that I understand! I love watching them walk outdoors with no plans and always finding a way to occupy themselves and get lost in their own world."
What’s the #1 toy you think has withstood the test of time?
"Well, 'the stick' was one of the most simple and brilliant toys they could have inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame! I have to admit I didn't get it at first, but they're right – one of the best toys ever! Other than that I'd have to go with Matchbox Cars or Legos. They are both all-time classics!"
