15 of my best toy picks
November 4, 2008
by Daniel Wildman
Taking part in Works for Me Wednesday!
A lot of toys have come through this house along with 4 kids in 8 years; a lot of toys have gone out too. We have moved 6 times since becoming parents and I refuse to move anything that isn’t worth its weight in gold. Good thing the children have measured up so far.
The best toys (and consequently, the keepers) are ones that:
- can be put together, taken apart and then put back together again (preferably in a new way)
- have some sort of educational value
- will hold a child’s interest long-term
- can handle whatever a toddler can throw at it (or throw it at)
Here are some toys we have in our toy collection and a few I wish we had:
- Marble Runs – this toy is just plain cool and fun for everyone, adults included
- Blocks – wooden ones for stacking & building and large cardboard ones for things like life-size forts (if you’re little
) - Lincoln Logs – there are all kinds of cool things to build with Lincoln Logs
- K’NEX – again, hours of enjoyment come from K’NEX
- Playmobil – we don’t have any Playmobil, but loved by many
- Legos – what can be said about the world-famous Legos?
- Train sets – like Brio and Thomas the Tank Engine; I got a full set of Thomas tracks, engines, cars (and a table!) for $20 at a garage sale; it was the best money I ever spent (check craigslist too!)
- Play kitchens – in our house, the play kitchen is optional but the pots, pans and utensils are a must
- Cash register - this is one we don’t have ourselves, but will be on our wish list this Christmas
- Playmats – very fun and easy to tote too; one day I’m going to make one like this
- Dollhouses – like this wooden one
- Dress up – fill a box or chest with thrift-store finds, old halloween costumes and castoffs from Great Aunt Millie’s closet
- Craft collection – I keep bins of stickers, scrapbook paper, construction paper, pipe cleaners, glue, scissors, clay, crayons, markers, colored pencils, punches, googly eyes, tape, paints, stamps, ribbon, beads, fabric, felt, and anything else that has crafty potential; oh yeah, check your recycling bin first
- Board games – we like Boggle, Scrabble, Memory, Dominoes, Apples to Apples, Guess Who?, Yahtzee, Sequence, Uno, Cranium Cadoo, Cranium Hullabaloo; (keep in mind that many of these games have editions for kids)
- Books – They may not be toys, but they provide just as much enjoyment. Here are some of our favorite picture books:
Related posts:
Comments
8 Responses to “15 of my best toy picks”
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Hi, I'm Amy. I teach people how to blog, I collect, organize & share free homeschooling resources, I am was the pastor's wife, I'm co-raising 4 kiddos, and I have issues. Read more about me here or find out how to contact me here.
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November 5th, 2008 @ 10:16 am
Great list. Legos and blocks made my list too, and after I posted I thought I should’ve included Cranium Cadoo. Got it at a thrift shop; all the kids like it.
Holly’s last blog post..WFMW–Toys That Take Imagination
November 5th, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
This is a great list! I saw many of our family’s favorites mentioned. Thanks for sharing!
November 5th, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Great list! Legos, marble runs, and books are on my list too.
November 5th, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Lincoln Logs rock! Thanks for sharing your list!
November 7th, 2008 @ 12:03 am
that’s a great list. What about outdoor toys? What are your favorites?
Amy: The sandbox!
November 11th, 2008 @ 7:53 am
FisherPrice Little People are the best value for money toy we have in our house, even our 10 year old still plays with them now and then. Along with Lego, Duplo and the trampoline.
November 11th, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Hi – I’ve never posted but I’m a mom of four and like to check your blog when I get a minute…. back to topic…tinkertoys. All four have loved and used our Sam’s Club sized set of tinkertoys.
And that playmat rocks. I’m now inspired to make one for the 3 year for xmas.
July 17th, 2010 @ 11:31 am
You know Amy, I blogged about this topic recently on my own site. Your article has provided me with lots of food for thought and I feel that you made lots of really interesting points. I wish I’d seen it before posting my own blog post.
Yours 8-P, bowlegged148