The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children.
If you're doing a large, complicated character with radio controls, it might take a number of people several months to make it and if you're talking about a quick little hand puppet, it could be made in 2 days, so there's enormous range there, and no real easy generalities.
I was very interested in theatre, mostly in stage design. I did a little bit of acting.
Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.
I do remember doing shows strictly in black and white, too, so you're right.
The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.