Before Phones and Tablets, These Were Everything to Us as Kids
We recently asked y’all to take a walk down memory lane and tell us about your favorite childhood toy—and boy, did the memories come pouring in! From dusty dirt roads to backyard tire swings, the toys (and makeshift toys) that shaped our childhoods say a lot about simpler times, pure imagination, and the joy of being a kid in Lawrence County.
Here’s a look at some of the sweet and surprising responses:
🚲 Bikes, Big Wheels & Banana Seats
Tasha Woods remembers her Barbie banana seat bicycle, and she wasn’t alone. Judy Stewart Gilliland, Terri Rutherford Norton, and Sherree Owen Borden all named their bikes as their favorite, with some even tossing in a skateboard or pogo stick for good measure!
🏇 Horses – Real and Imaginary
Lisa Parker and Robin Williams-Proctor grew up with real horses, like Lisa’s favorite “so much better than a toy” horse. Beth Lewis turned her mimosa tree into a horse, treehouse, and slingshot stand—all in one!
👶 Baby Dolls & Barbies Galore
No surprise here—Barbie ruled the toybox for many. Delaina Greene, Patti Terry Hood, and Mitzi Trussell all shouted out their Barbies. And for the baby doll lovers, Ms. Beasley made quite a few appearances, earning mentions from Shennell Hughes, Felicia Lay, and Lynette Parker.
🚗 Hot Wheels, Matchbox & More
Robbie Darnell and Danny Roden both shouted out their Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. Tim Vanderploeg brought the ‘80s and ‘90s flair with his Transformers, Gobots, and Knight Rider car!
🌳 Nature & Imagination
Some of the best “toys” didn’t come from a store. Beth Lewis’ mimosa tree, Jo Ann Archer’s tree swing, and David Pierce’s imagination were all strong contenders. Patty Terry played in the dirt with dump trucks. And Jerri Wilbanks Ray split her love between a Barbie Dream House and a tire swing in a pine tree.
Whether it was dolls, bikes, or just the great outdoors—these memories made us smile. It's a reminder that childhood joy wasn’t about fancy gadgets…it was about freedom, creativity, and whatever made your heart light up.
🗣️ Now it’s your turn! What was your favorite childhood toy? Share below and keep the nostalgia rolling, Lawrence County!
