- \n
- Pok\u00e9mon cards<\/strong> \u2013 The<\/em> 90s card trading game. The release of the augmented reality game Pok\u00e9mon GO<\/a> in 2016 reignited interest in the franchise and the trading cards got a new audience. Some are really valuable now<\/a>
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Care Bears<\/strong> – Multi-coloured plush stuffed bears that had their own TV show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Lego<\/a> <\/strong>– My brother and I had a massive collection. As popular today as it’s always been<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Image-2-1068x863.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"Collecting](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_2958-1068x801.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Beanie Babies<\/strong> \u2013 iconic plush, under-stuffed animals <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- POGs<\/strong> – Err cardboard discs that you could stack and flip <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Subject.png?resize=702%2C729&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- Panini Stickers <\/strong>\u2013 My brother and I used to collect these in albums for major football tournaments. Part of the fun was doing swapsies with friends; I even recall a market stall where you could riffle through their extensive collection and do swaps for a few pence. I still collect Panini stickers for major football tournaments. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"Collecting\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_1755.jpg?resize=702%2C936&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/8DB24465-7473-4ECE-9FA7-F20297C8CBC9-1.jpg?resize=702%2C702&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Marbles<\/strong> – the more colours they had the more ‘valuable’ they were. We used to play on drains at school <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Warhammer <\/strong>\u2013 my husband used to collect and paint theses 3D miniatures then play the tabletop game with his older brother<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Body Shop bath pearls <\/strong>– If you know, you know<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"Collecting\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/165611320_3200918480189522_2205989047299039753_n.jpg?resize=373%2C294&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Strawberry Shortcake dolls <\/strong>– a character originally developed by American Greetings to appear on its greeting cards, it became so popular it was quickly re-imagined as a doll<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Polly Pocket<\/a> <\/strong>– micro-figurines, which were less than an inch tall. She could be played with in miniature play sets (the original was based on a make-up compact) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Eraser Collection <\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-02-23-at-17.35.18-4-801x1068.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-02-23-at-17.35.18-5-801x1068.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-02-23-at-17.35.18-6-801x1068.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"Collecting\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-02-23-at-17.35.18-7-801x1068.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned, I used to collect erasers. Sounds odd, but I wasn\u2019t the only one. My friends and I used to have 100s of them between us. They were small, cheap, tactile, colourful and came in infinite designs, which often resembled other things (loved my post box one!). They\u2019d often have special features such as a \u2018display case\u2019 or the cr\u00e8me de le cr\u00e8me be a ‘smelly!’ <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nCollecting Smurfs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Collecting\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_9328.jpeg?resize=702%2C559&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMy Smurf collection deserves a special mention. I loved watching the Smurfs cartoon series during the weekend in the 80s. It was something the whole family enjoyed. We even used to call my dad Papa Smurf! These little blue creatures were very much a part of popular culture at the time (there was even Smurf ice-cream in Italy!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The collectible figures soon appeared in my local gift shop in Streatham. I wasn’t into dolls but enjoyed collecting things, so these little characters really appealed. Starting with basic ones, I then moved onto hunting out rarer ones. Then there were special edition ones tied to things like the Olympics. I built a massive collection, which was probably nearing 100. Sadly, by 14 I\u2019d totally outgrown Smurfs, so sold them for a quick buck at a car boot sale. Someone bought them within minutes of us arriving so knew their value. I’m rather gutted as certain collections go for \u00a31000s. I later found a few that had missed the chop (pictured above – not much of a collection).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The allure of collecting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I think the draw of collecting comes from having a connection with a particular subject be it a place, programme, game or brand or a type of object that captivates. I used to love looking through tickets I\u2019d hoarded as they were a reminder of family trips and interesting places. Sometimes it\u2019s just about the actual look and haptic quality of items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not only about accumulating items but also about engaging with \u2018your tribe\u2019 or entering an imaginary world. For grown-ups nostalgia plays a big part; collecting is also quite comforting. Then there\u2019s rarity and treasure hunting. As a kid, if you found a super rare you were the talk of the playground. Don’t even get started on the rush to collect special editions!
<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat my children collect\/ed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One of my twins is an avid shell and fossil collector<\/a>. She loves shells simply because they\u2019re pretty. However, it was Mary Anning prompted the fascination and collection of ammonites, belemnites and even coprolites 💩! My other twin has a collection of gemstones and crystals. All three enjoy collecting buttons. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_9333.jpeg?resize=702%2C527&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPanini stickers, marbles, stamps, Lego, coins and Pokemon cards have made the cut with my kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photo.jpg?resize=702%2C508&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_1284-1.jpg?resize=702%2C936&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHowever, every generation has its new trends and below are what my Gen Zedders have collected\/are collecting: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Lego Create The World Trading Cards – <\/strong>exclusive to Sainsbury’s, kids were going nuts for them <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Beanie Boos \u2013 <\/strong>the successor to the Beanie Babies of the 80s; they have bigger eyes (!?) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_9334.jpeg?resize=702%2C936&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/a><\/p>\n
- \n\n
- Jellycats <\/strong>– These soft toys have been around since 1999, but have exploded in popularity in the last few years. The range has expanded significantly from the\u00a0 original bunnies and includes everything from sushi and seafood<\/a> to succulents<\/a> and sausage dogs<\/a>\u00a0
<\/li>\n- LOL dolls<\/a> – \u00a0Billed as the \u2018ultimate unboxing toy,\u2019 LOL Surprise! Dolls<\/strong><\/a> landed in February 2017. Each layer reveals a surprise in the way of the doll itself, outfit, accessories and stickers – the perfect mix ‘n match collection with coveted rares\u00a0<\/li>\n\n \n\n
- \n
- LOL dolls<\/a> – \u00a0Billed as the \u2018ultimate unboxing toy,\u2019 LOL Surprise! Dolls<\/strong><\/a> landed in February 2017. Each layer reveals a surprise in the way of the doll itself, outfit, accessories and stickers – the perfect mix ‘n match collection with coveted rares\u00a0<\/li>\n\n \n\n
- Beanie Boos \u2013 <\/strong>the successor to the Beanie Babies of the 80s; they have bigger eyes (!?) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
- Polly Pocket<\/a> <\/strong>– micro-figurines, which were less than an inch tall. She could be played with in miniature play sets (the original was based on a make-up compact) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Warhammer <\/strong>\u2013 my husband used to collect and paint theses 3D miniatures then play the tabletop game with his older brother<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Marbles<\/strong> – the more colours they had the more ‘valuable’ they were. We used to play on drains at school <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- POGs<\/strong> – Err cardboard discs that you could stack and flip <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
- Beanie Babies<\/strong> \u2013 iconic plush, under-stuffed animals <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Care Bears<\/strong> – Multi-coloured plush stuffed bears that had their own TV show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/red-nose.jpeg?resize=702%2C1040&ssl=1\")