There is a nearly endless selection of toys for children on the market today. In the past, toys for children were made to appeal to every child. All that was required of the child was a vivid imagination. Today, however, most children's toys require a television set or the latest video gaming system. While these toys may develop hand-eye coordination and computer skills, they do little else in the way of physical and mental stimulation.

When we remember our childhood and the toys for children our parents bought, we usually don't think of the exciting video games or computer games. We think of the toys that provided us an escape from chores and schoolwork. Toys that let us be the man or woman of the house, or that let us have the fastest bicycle on the block. In other words, the toys that required the most amount of imagination.

The toys for children that stand out in many people's memories are the swing sets and bicycles. For those of us who grew up in apartments or in the city, it may be a playhouse or toy furniture. The fun toys made us feel like we were grown ups, without all the stresses and burdens of adulthood.