I don’t know you.

I don’t know where you’re from or what you look like or how old you are. You might be a judge or a cook or a priest or a clown. I don’t know.

But what I’m pretty sure about is that at one point or another, you’ve been involved with most of the toys below. It’s just one of those things that we all have in common.

Let’s go through them—

Age when I got obsessed: 7
Time until I got bored: 1 week
Drawback: Loses stickiness; unclear purpose; can’t eat it
Overall rating: 7/10

Comments: An odd invention that I strangely enjoyed. Maybe I liked it more than most people.

Toy: The Slinky

Age of obsession: 4
Time before boredom: 1 month; still have moments
Drawback: Tangles easily
Overall rating: 6/10

Comments: A fun concept, but doesn’t always meet expectations in reality.

Toy: The Thing With All the Pins

Age of obsession: 9
Time until boredom: 4 minutes
Drawback: Uncomfortable on the face
Overall rating: 5/10

Comments: A creative idea with limited replay value, leading to strange activities.

Toy: The Snap Bracelet

Age of obsession: 11
Time until boredom: A week and a half
Drawback: Painful to wear
Overall rating: 4/10

Comments: A fidget toy with a hint of stress, lacking depth.

Toy: The Bead Thing in the Dentist’s Office

Age of obsession: 4
Time until boredom: Dental appointment
Drawback: Not very engaging
Overall rating: 4/10

Comments: A mesmerizing yet ultimately unfulfilling distraction for children.

Toy: Devil Sticks

Age of obsession: 15
Time until boredom: 2 months
Drawback: Not considered cool
Overall rating: 6/10

Comments: A short-lived fascination with an activity that resonated with teenage emotions.

Toy: The Ball and Cup

Age of obsession: 12
Time until boredom: 20 minutes
Drawback: Leaves you feeling inadequate
Overall rating: 3/10

Comments: An old-fashioned toy with limited appeal.

Toy: The Hanging Ball Thing

Age of obsession: 6
Time until boredom: 3 months; occasional rediscovery
Drawback: Few downsides
Overall rating: 8.5/10

Comments: A delightful gadget that sometimes falls short in quality.

Toy: This thing

Age of obsession: 1
Time until boredom: 1 second
Drawback: Not entertaining
Overall rating: 2/10

Comments: A disappointing toy that holds little interest for a child.

Toy: Magnets in General

Age of obsession: 3
Time until boredom: Never
Drawback: Frustration with repelling magnets; eventual wear and tear on hands
Overall rating: 9/10

Comments: A favorite pastime for restless hands.

Toy: The Floating Globe

Age of obsession: 45 seconds ago
Time until boredom: N/A
Drawback: Nonexistent
Overall rating: 10/10?

Comments: A coveted item that captures the imagination.

Toy: The Doll

Age of obsession: 5
Time until boredom: Confiscation by dad
Drawback: Limited play options
Overall rating: 3/10

Comments: An uninspiring toy with minimal engagement value.

Toy: The Super Soaker

Age of obsession: 11
Time until boredom: 1 year
Drawback: Competition with better models
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Comments: Enjoyable in youth but loses its charm with age.

Toy: The Yo Yo

Age of obsession: 7
Time until boredom: 1 week; occasional interest
Drawback: String tangling delays enjoyment
Overall rating: 5.5/10

Comments: A classic toy with fleeting appeal and tedious tricks.

Toy: The balancing man

Age of obsession: 8
Time until boredom: 3 months
Drawback: Limited possibilities
Overall rating: 7/10

Comments: An intriguing toy that eventually loses its appeal.

Toy: The Paper Clip

Age of obsession: 4
Time until boredom: 10 minutes; sporadic interest
Drawback: Struggling to straighten it perfectly
Overall rating: 4/10

Comments: A fallback fidget toy with minimal satisfaction.

Toy: Legos

Age of obsession: Never
Time until boredom: Instantly
Drawback: Lack of enjoyment
Overall rating: 1/10

Comments: A puzzling fascination for many, but not for everyone.

Toy: The Etch A Sketch

Age of obsession: 10
Time until boredom: 1 minute; recurring interest
Drawback: Poor drawing outcomes
Overall rating: 2/10

Comments: An overhyped toy with limited creative value.

Toy: The Far Flying Football

Age of obsession: 10
Time until boredom: Until it’s lost
Drawback: Misleading athletic prowess
Overall rating: 8/10

Comments: A toy that fuels dreams of remarkable abilities.

Toy: The Little Absurd Dog

Age of obsession: 13
Time until boredom: 3 months; sporadic interest
Drawback: Allergies and limited lifespan
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Comments: A charming pet with short-lived allure.

Toy: Metal Puzzles

Age of obsession: 7
Time until boredom: 1 challenging hour
Drawback: Frustrating and ego-crushing
Overall rating: 3/10

Comments: An exasperating puzzle that tests patience and self-esteem.

Toy: The Rubik’s Cube

Age of obsession: 21
Time until boredom: 2 weeks
Drawback: Imposter guilt for using guides
Overall rating: 8/10

Comments: An intriguing challenge with a nagging sense of cheating.

Toy: The Woodpecker on a Pole

Age of obsession: 13
Time until boredom: 2 days
Drawback: Lack of depth in gameplay
Overall rating: 5/10

Comments: A fleeting amusement that lacks lasting engagement.

Toy: Stretch Armstrong

Age of obsession: 12
Time until boredom: 3 years
Drawback: Eventual breakage and messy aftermath
Overall rating: 8/10

Comments: A lasting infatuation that had its moment.

Toy: Silly Putty

Age of obsession: 6
Time until boredom: 2 weeks; periodic rediscovery
Drawback: Eventually becomes gross
Overall rating: 9/10

Comments: A current favorite with its tactile appeal akin to magnets.

Toy: The Mexican Jumping Bean

Age of obsession: N/A
Time until boredom: N/A
Drawback: N/A
Overall rating: N/A

Comments: An unowned curiosity that found its place on the site.

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