Only 3.1 percent of the world's children live in the United States, but U.S. families buy more than 40 percent of the toys consumed globally. The Los Angeles homes were no exception.

 

Several homes had at least 250 toys on display, and most had at least 100. Untold numbers of other toys were tucked away in closets and under beds.

 

CELF researchers estimate that each new child in a household leads to a 30 percent increase in a family's possessions during the preschool years alone.

 

 

Next: The Call of the Couch

 

Previous: The Lure of Bulk-buying

 

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