UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

As mentioned in the first Sociology example, M.U.S.C.L.E. figures have been used as “treats” for successfully using the “potty” for my son. M&M’s have established themselves as his favorite reward, but every now and then a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure is selected as the treat.

It was a bit surprising to realize he has slowly built a collection of probably a dozen figures. Like any parent, the desire to stay home all day and play with your child is the dream. However, like many other parents that is not a reality. The hours of playtime are missed during the day, but often the results of the playtime are still on display.

In late January 2010, I got home from work and noticed that he had clearly been having a large adventure with his Fisher-Price Imaginext Space toys (examples seen below).

When I looked a little closer I could see that M.U.S.C.L.E. figures had been part of the adventure. I reached for my camera, hoping to snap a couple of quick pictures before he returned to playing with his toys. As soon as he saw the camera he asked, “What are you doing?” I told him I was going to take a couple of quick pictures of “his guys.”

He suddenly got excited and said, “I’ll help.” He then grabbed the first figure he could find and shoved it at the camera. My concern was that his excitement to document his figures would upset the actual moment I was trying to capture. Luckily he quickly decided it was more fun to play with the toys and allowed me to snap a few quick pictures of his #24 within the “space pod” and his Blue #153 waiting to board the space shuttle.

I'll help!

Flesh #24's Space Pod

Flesh #24's Space Pod 2

Dark Blue #153 Prepares for Launch

If you have any pictures that you would like featured, then please send them to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. with a brief explanation of the pictures, plus how the children learned about M.U.S.C.L.E. toys.