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How to make annoying toys die?
Filed under: Babies, Toddlers Preschoolers, Development/Milestones: Babies
Bean has a toy that makes me want to bury my head in the sand like an ostrich. It's an "Old MacDonald" tractor that incessantly plays a tinny version of the song with an oink and a moo and a neigh inserted here and there. It was a Christmas gift, or it would never have found its way into our house in the first place. And somehow it's still here. I really want to make it die, or go away, or spontaneously destruct, or do whatever toys need to do to stop existing.
Somehow it refuses. I have not replaced the battery in it, yet it keeps going. Defying me.
Other toys die. Other far less annoying ones break or run out of battery power, or get misplaced at the playground, or get run over on the driveway. But not this one; with it's repetitive, twangy tune which Bean finds endlessly funny. I think what he actually finds funny is the look of utter eye-rolling disgust and agony that washes over my face as he makes it play over and over and over and over again. I wouldn't put it past him.
I have tried to cull it out of Bean's other toys along with ones that have broken or lost parts, or are simply outgrown--tossing them all into a bin in our closet. Somehow, defying all reason, Bean has managed to find it. More than once. Each time retrieving it and then playing with it even more than before, just because he's missed it.
I have a low tolerance for battery operated toys.They generally drive me insane. I see no reason for toys to beep or flash or talk. That's what imagination is for. Still, Bean has somehow managed to acquire three. Said tractor, a little rinky-dink piano thingy, and a Tonka digger. The latter was purchased for $8 at a second hand shop, in perfect condition, The former two, were both gifts from people who don't know me very well. Or they hate me. The latter was because it the battery makes it move, not sing.
My husband, thankfully, is on the same page with me on this one, and today he managed to sneak the offending tractor into a load of materials headed for the dump. Of course Bean went with him, because dump-going is a prime bulldozer viewing opportunity. The tractor was a certain gonner. Bean was looking the other way, and my husband had it clutched in hand, ready to toss it into the heap of garbage.
But at the last second Bean turned.
"NOOOOO! That's my tractor, Daddy." He wailed, heartbroken. "Don't throw away my tractor!"
(Please let it be know that he has an entire fleet of tractors--all of which are way cooler than this one. It is not like we were throwing away the only tractor of a tractor obsessed boy.)
And so it's back. Currently it's kicking about in my husband's truck, where it was left after the great garbage dump rescue. But I have a feeling it wont stay there. Without a doubt it will make it's way back into circulation in the living room and once again I'll be gnashing my teeth and plotting ways to destroy it.
Does your child have a toy you'd like to see self destruct? Have you successfully gotten rid of it? How Bean is wise to our ways. If it's missing, he'll know. E-i-e-i-o.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-07-2007 @ 11:39AM
mckenna said...Quick! Remove the batteries! We usually do this on day 1 before our guy knows it even makes noise. I'm with you. I/we hate all noisy toys.
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9-07-2007 @ 11:50AM
ikate said...I also hate toys that make noise but a few have made it into my house (as payback from an older sister, since I gave her kids all the loud crap to her kids - thinking it was funny). Anyway...I haven't found a way to get rid of them, but by putting a layer or two of tape (packing tape, duct tape) over the speaker, the sound is enough to hear if you are playing with it, but the rest of the house doesn't have to hear it. Make those toys much more tolerable.
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9-07-2007 @ 12:24PM
Mama T said...I tend to remove batteries immediately if it isn't too late but the other suggestions from another mum were "bath toys!" or "outdoor toys just before a rain storm". I think those might work...
Reply
9-07-2007 @ 3:45PM
Mammacheryl said...Luckily, our 20-month-old son has a short memory... or maybe it's because we've done crazy things with his toys since day one and he's never sure of a toy's long life in this messed up world.
If, after we introduce a new toy to him, he becomes obsessed and plays with it constantly... and we find it really annoying... we wait until after he goes to bed and then the toy disappears. Some go in the garage. Some go in the attic. Some go in the basement. We did this recently with a toddler umbrella and a Bob the Builder Scoop truck that talks. In a few months, we'll take the items out again and let him play with them for a couple of days, but then they'll disappear again.
As a matter of fact, a lot of his toys and books are on a constant rotation like this, just to save room in his toy box.
Cheryl at http://redpens-diapers.blogspot.com
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9-07-2007 @ 4:26PM
artifex said...Why can't you install a switch on the toy, to turn off the sound but not the lights, and then everyone wins?
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9-07-2007 @ 5:11PM
Heather said...I feel for you. I really do. My kids had a stupid police car thing that had lights, sirens, and moves across the floor. (My mother-in-law bought it at Dollar General because she thought it was cute. UGH!) The thing is, when a kid puts it's little mits on it while it is moving, it made a awful grinding gear sound on top of the other sounds. We tried everything to make that stupid thing disappear. It went in the tops of closets, in the garage, ANYWHERE! When the batteries FINALLY wore out we were so happy. Then one day, said mother-in-law, thought it was a shame that it didn't make noise anymore. So, she put more batteries in it, highly against our wishes. It made it into yard sale stuff last year, but alas, noone bought it. (Gee I wonder why.) So I got to hear sirens, and grinding gears all the way to Goodwill. I was never so happy to see a bag go. My kids, 2&5,thankfully agreed to get rid of it because I told them it would go to another little boy or girl who didn't have any toys. They didn't get to play with it anyways, so I don't think they really cared much.
So, maybe you could try that route. Goodwill works for me!
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9-07-2007 @ 7:43PM
M4Mommy said...My husband immediately takes those things apart and puts something. ANYTHING over the speaker, then puts it back together. Muffles the sound some. We do, however have a haunted Little People Barn. The one that "Moos" "neighs" "clucks" etc.
The thing has been in the house for going on 3 years now and has even made it into the tub on one occasion. Yet. Somehow. it still freaking WORKS! Why do I say it's haunted? because. randomly in the middle of the might the thing will just start Mooing. Nothing like a random "Moo" in the middle of the night.
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9-07-2007 @ 8:55PM
Spring said...I cover toy speakers with glue. Muffles the sound.
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9-07-2007 @ 9:30PM
pbhj said...Our J has a noisy car, grandparents huh!, if it bugs me I just say "that's too noisy, turn it off please". He may be a 2 year old but that doesn't mean he always has everything his way.
If you're that bothered with the profusion of tractors then line up and ask him to choose one to keep.
And no, don't throw it away, reuse or recycle it.
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9-07-2007 @ 10:24PM
Jennifer said...I'm with PBHJ on this one. You can ask him to turn it off or play with it in a room away from you. Or as others suggested, remove the battery. Even though MIL put the batteries back in, go ahead and take them out again after your little guy is in bed.
We have also taped the speakers on a few toys. Fisher Price toys especially seem loud.
Although they are annoying I do sometimes use these noisy toys as a tool. Sometimes it's great to put kiddo in another room (ie:while preparing dinner etc) and be able to hear him and know exactly what he's doing. The second that noise stops I'm there to see what he's up to next.
Throwing it in the dump seems a bit harsh. Especially if he does enjoy playing with it.
If you really want him to get rid of it then start the lessons about sharing toys with those less fortunate and let him send it to Goodwill. Even if it's hard on him I think a better memory is that of giving his toy to another less fortunate child than the image of his dad throwing it in the dump. Yikes!
Or just put up with it a little while longer. This time period is so short. In another year or possibly even 6 months I doubt he'll even want to play with it.
The worst part? I actually just ordered this toy for my son for Christmas. I thought he'd like it. I do admit I'm seriously second-guessing after your post! ;)
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9-07-2007 @ 10:26PM
Jennifer said...Oops! I realize now the MIL story was by a commenter...not you! Sorry!
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9-10-2007 @ 1:20AM
Dave said...I think it is really MEAN to throw a kids toys away. If you have to do something, open the toy and put paper over the toy, but don't disable the sound. Preschoolers love repetition - unfortunately adults don't.
Besides, it will be something to laugh about when you and your kids get older.
AND, the best thing is, that as a Grandparent, YOU get to but annoying noisy toys for your grandchildren!!!
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9-11-2007 @ 4:07PM
lisa said...my son has the sesame street character toys that the head flips open and shut and talks...well my son found the button to push to make it talk repeatedly and annoyingly. i want to toss it but hubby says no.
http://www.MobileManiaDirect.com
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