TOY STORIES: NERF on Day 210 of 365 Days of Literacy for Kids

Each TOY or GAME has a STORY to share with kids.

Today, it’s NERF’s turn to tell its story (with a little help from Grandma Sharon)…

For the love of NERF!

WHAT is NERF: There are multiple sources that tell us that NERF is an acronym for NON-EXPANDING RECREATIONAL FOAM.

One other explanation is that the word NERF was chosen by Parker Brothers, NERF’s developer, after the foam used to wrap roll-bars by off-road drivers.

Hmmmmm.  You decide.  (Grandma Sharon likes option #1!)

WHO invented NERF, and WHEN, WHERE & WHY:  NERF was invented by Reyn Guyer, who also happens to be the creator of the famous Twister game.

In 1968, after the great success of Twister, Reyn founded Winsor Concepts to create new ideas for games and toys.

As the story goes, Reyn and his team were working on a game with a caveman theme using foam rocks.  The light bulb idea was that games with foam balls for indoor use would be awesome.

Reyn sold the idea to Parker Brothers, who decided that the games were just OK… but the foam balls were awesome!

In 1970, Parker Brothers named the 4-inch foam balls NERF and marketed them as The World’s First Official Indoor Ball.  Balls only!

The rest is TOY history.

To this day, NERF means… You can throw it indoors.  You can’t damage lamps or break windows.  You can’t hurt babies or old people!

Have a little fun with your kids and grandkids by asking them what NERF means.  (YOU KNOW.  “Ta-dah!”)  Then maybe toss around a couple of NERF balls indoors!

Join me here each day in July for TOY STORIES on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! A little fun, a little learning and a little “ta-dah!”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

Sign Up To The Ultimate Style Newsletter for Moms

Categories

ShopStyle “List” Of all Things I Like and Blog About

Pinterest