When Did Toys Stop Being Toys?

Are We Raising Children to Play… or to Collect?

Back when we were kids, getting a new toy was a big deal. It was usually for a birthday, Eid, Christmas, or another special occasion. Toys weren’t something we got every week, so we treasured them because, honestly, who knew when or even if we’d get another one? We played with them until they were scratched, missing pieces, or literally falling apart. And if they did break, we’d often find a way to fix.

Now, it feels like toys aren’t bought to be played with anymore. They’re bought to complete a collection.

From Playing to Collecting

I could blame social media. Everywhere you look there are children and adults showing off their collections. One unboxing video turns into ten. One rare item leads to another. Suddenly everyone “needs” the newest release before it sells.

But if I’m being completely honest, I also blame us as parents. Because where does the money come from? Us. We’re the ones clicking “Add to Cart.” We’re the ones paying for shipping. We’re the ones refreshing websites to see if something is back in stock.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve become part of the madness.

The Collection That Never Ends

With my daughter, it started innocently enough. First it was Paw Patrol. Then came LOL Dolls. We genuinely played with them, but it also became about adding to the collection. They weren’t cheap either. Even my husband would spot one on sale while he was out and surprise her with it.

Then came Barbie, Polly Pocket, Beanie Boos, Squishmallows, Jellycats, NeeDohs, and every type of Pop It and squishy imaginable. The funny thing is, it never stays at one collection. It starts with one, and before you know it, there are three different collections happening at the same time.

Two years ago, we went on an overseas trip, and do you know what my daughter spent most of her spending money on?

Beanie Boos.

I kid you not, by the time we were ready to fly home, her bag was overflowing with teddies. I remember looking at it and thinking, there is no way airport security isn’t going to stop us. I was convinced they were going to think we were hiding something because who in their right mind comes home from overseas with an entire bag full of Beanie Boos?

Thankfully, we made it through without any questions, but I still laugh every time I think about it.

And it’s not like I can just pop into the local toy shop anymore. Oh no. Some are speciality items they have to have, which has to be ordered online because they’re not available in South Africa. So now we’re adding shipping costs into the mix, waiting weeks for parcels to arrive, and hoping the item doesn’t sell out before we’ve had a chance to order it.

Honestly… it’s crazy.

Somewhere Along the Way… I Became the Crazy One

You know what’s even crazier? They’ve sucked us into it. I’m the one signed up for stock notification emails. I’m the one checking my inbox every day because when that specific Jellycat or squishy finally comes back in stock, you have to be quick or it’ll sell out again. I never thought I’d be the person anxiously waiting for an email telling me a toy was available to buy.

At some point, I realised I wasn’t just supporting the collection—I had become part of it. Sometimes I honestly wonder who’s collecting these toys… my daughter or me.

My Mum Had the Perfect Strategy

Thinking back to my own childhood makes me smile. My mum was a single parent, and money was tight. Whenever I asked for a specific toy, she’d smile and say, “I’ll order it for you.” Well… that order never arrived.

There wasn’t online shopping back then, of course, but I believed her every single time. By the time I was old enough to realise what she’d been doing, I’d grown out of toys anyway. Looking back now, I completely understand why she did it.

Does It Ever End?

It really makes me wonder why we do this.

Is it because we didn’t have much growing up?

Is it because they’re an only child?

Is it because saying “no” feels harder than clicking “Buy Now”?

Or maybe we’re not really that different.

I can easily justify why I own so many pairs of shoes. My daughter can just as easily justify why she needs another squishy. Maybe the toys change as we grow older, but the temptation to keep collecting never really does. We simply swap toys for shoes, handbags, make-up, kitchen gadgets, Tupperware, or whatever our adult obsession happens to be.

If COVID taught me anything, it was exactly how many plastic containers I owned. Opening those cupboards every day was a real eye-opener. I remember standing there thinking, “How on earth did I end up with this many?”

The good news is I haven’t bought another plastic container since.

Small victories.

Learning to Say “Enough”

Recently, I decided enough was enough. I’ve put a limit on how many toys my daughter can have in each collection. She doesn’t need every single one that gets released, and if I’m honest, neither do I.

Whenever I feel tempted to buy something I don’t really need, I repeat a simple little mantra to myself: “You don’t need more. You have enough.”

Sometimes I have to say it once.

Sometimes I have to say it ten times.

Sometimes it works… and sometimes it doesn’t.

But it’s a reminder that I need it just as much as my daughter does. Maybe this isn’t really about toys at all. Maybe it’s about learning to be content. Because whether we’re five or fifty, there will always be another collection waiting for us.

And maybe, just maybe…

We already have enough.

I’d Love to Hear From You

Am I the only one who feels like this?

Has your child been obsessed with collecting something? Have you found yourself hunting down that one specific toy, signing up for stock notifications, or paying more in shipping than you ever imagined you would?

Or have you managed to put your foot down before it got to that stage?

I’d genuinely love to hear your stories in the comments. Tell me about the funniest thing your child has ever insisted on collecting—I have a feeling I’m not the only parent who’s travelled home with some very unusual luggage!