I’m sure every parent has experienced that time when their offspring really wants something they know will annoy the hell out of them. You manage to remain steadfast and turn their attention elsewhere then along comes a birthday or a favourite aunt and that very thing you so didn’t want them to have lands in their lap. Here are some really parent-unfriendly toys and stuff.
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Automaton Toys
These are those horrible electronic noisemakers that are really cute the first time you hear them sing or walk across the room barking but when that stupid duck starts the “I can dance” song for the 50th time in a row it’s all you can to not lob it out of the window. Just use cheap batteries so they run out quickly then forget to replace them. The former duck lover will soon have swapped their playtime allegiance to something else, probably as equally annoying, but hey ho.
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Silly String
Summed up in one word – Mess!
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Food Toys
Just about any toy that involves baking or cooking or anything involving food that you end up being the guinea pig taster for is to be avoided, except chocolate of course. Well, actually strike that, the potential is even there to ruin the good stuff.
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Beads
They look really nice in the box, all divided in their separate little compartments but the second you open them that’s it. Of course, some of them are hell to open and they fly everywhere before your kid has even had a chance to make you that lovely bracelet or necklace you are made to wear on your next big night out.
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Kid’s Karaoke
Do you really want to hear the same song from the latest Disney movie 20 times in a row?
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If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
Slime
Its name is hardly a promising portent is it? The fascinating magical properties that make it slip and slide through your child’s fingers without sticking magically disappear when they step it into your carpet or you skid across the kitchen floor on a big discarded lump of it.
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Barbie’s World
This may seem an odd thing to list with all those others and it’s not annoying in the same sense but just imagine this: The gift of one simple Barbie doll opens up a massive retail black hole for your wallet. Barbie dolls of every colour and ethnic persuasion, 50 outfits for every occasion and spares too, all those essential accessories for weekend Barbie, ballerina Barbie, horse riding Barbie etc – I mean just how many hobbies can one doll have for Pete’s sake? – and then there’s the storage space. What’s wrong with the X-Box anyway?
What’s the most annoying thing you’ve ever bought for your child and wished you hadn’t?
Top Photo Credit: summerrrc
