Chicago Machine

Lots of Chicagoans haven't been to the Field Museum since elementary school. But guess what? It's just as fun now as it was then. And we were able to accomplish a life goal: Get all the mold-a-rama dinosaur toys from the food court. As we made our way from machine to machine, burning our hands on our newly-formd toys, a group of kids on a field trip started following us.

"Are you getting the orange one?" one asked.

"Oh yes," we said. "We'll be getting them all."

There are mold-a-ramas all around Chicago museums and a ton out at Brookfield zoo. Forged behind the glass in the intense heat of the jukebox-sized machines, the occasionally deformed miniature statues serve all your souveniring needs. As tradition dictates, you play hot potato with them.

Do you still have any of these bad boys proudly displayed in your home or office? Favorite hidden ones? Complete collections? Let the hunt begin! -- Josh Mellin