Profound meaning is unlocked through a deeper meaning in interaction with the object. The example that Legaard (2023) gives is riding a bicycle. People do not do it for the sake of riding a bike. Rather, they do so to get from point A to B, to enjoy the scenery along the ride, or to simply exercise. All these purposes hold a meaning to the user, and a bike is just an object that allows them to unlock these meaningful experiences at a deeper level.
In Legaard’s (2023) view, play unlocks an immersive experience of wonder. Our toy can contribute to these in two ways - as a toy that encourages shared play with other peers, and as an indicator of masculinity and power. Firstly, the nature of the toy requires more than one person for play, such as groups of opposing teams. This narrative for play and fun is often portrayed in Nerf commercials where the toy is a key to unlock these fun experiences of battle, exercise, and joint play. The video below is a showcase of how Hasbro tries to streghten the profound meaning of their toys.
The toy can also be a signifier of masculinity and dominance, serving as a way to make the user feel in control. This is related to the object that the toy itself references - a real gun. We explore this feeling in more depth in the third tour - Guns as Toys, Toys as Guns.