B2 – Upper Intermediate
The toys that we used to love playing with as kids are a very nostalgic way to reminisce our childhood.
This must be the reason why some adults still enjoy the idea of buying kids’ toys and playing with them.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about grown-ups buying and playing with kids’ toys.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250814
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define “disposable income”. “Once I kind of had a stable job with disposable income, I kind of rediscovered my love for soft toys, and I started buying them again because I’ve always loved collecting things, because, you know, they bring me happiness, they bring me joy.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “inner child” mean? “And I think also a big pillar of my channel and my content is reconnecting with my childhood, and healing that inner child, and I think the toys also play a part in that.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- Explain the meaning of “to have time on one’s hands”. “During the pandemic, people had time on their hands. Many adults went online, hoping to find the toys they remembered from childhood.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What might be the reasons grown-ups like buying and/or playing with toys?
- What do you think about adults still buying and playing with toys?
- Share your insights on this, “Adults buying kids’ toys for themselves account for between 30 and 40% of the entire toy market.”
- Do you consider yourself a “kidult”? Why or why not? What are some things/activities you still enjoy that are normally for younger people? Why do you think you still like them until now?
- During the pandemic, people had time on their hands. What did you do with yours?