As I blogged about in this Christmas Conspiracy post, we are not spending as much this Christmas, particularly on our kids. They have too much already, we have too much collectively as a family and there are others who have so little. I'm thankful for a chance to be a better steward of the money God allows us to have.
So that being said, I have been thinking more about toys that are a waste of money and toys that are true quality and will entertain kids of a variety ages for many years! To see part 1 of my post on great toys click here. And to round out the list of toys that have proved to be great toys in our household, here are 13 more:
- An Easel - here is a great, cheap one that we have had for years from Ikea
- Legos and wooden blocks
- Wooden Train set
- Dress-up clothes
- Kid table and chairs - I got a Pottery Barn Kids one off Ebay a few years ago and my little kids use it every day for crafts and snacks.
- Workbooks (my kids love working on age-appropriate workbooks), books (see this post for our favorites), puzzles, games (see some of our favorites here.)
- Plastic Animals - My kids play with this set a bunch
- Dolls and doll clothes - my daughter plays equally with her expensive (Grandma-bought) American Girl doll and the much cheaper Target variety!
- Playtent or Playhouse - we have a tent-castle (from Ikea but I don't think they sell it anymore) and this playhouse set up in our playroom and the kids use both for all sorts of imaginary play!
- "Guys" - Star Wars, Superman, Batman, etc. action figures
- Toy Grocery Cart
- Play Kitchen with food
- Doctor Kit - I get "doctored" with this set - Learning Resources Pretend & Play® Doctor Set
- nearly every day.
And you know I could say a thousand words about great toys, but really, if you want to save money this year, just give your kids a large cardboard box!
Find more Thankful Thursday, Thursday Thirteen, and Thousand Words Thursday at Cheaper Than Therapy
I've ordered a new game from Chicken Soup for the Soul. It's called Count Your Blessings
ReplyDeletehttp://www.toysgamespuzzles.com/tgpshop/product_info.php?products_id=283
I totally agree with your list.
Happy T13!
So many of these toys involve imagination and creativity. Those are the best toys that keep kids busy. Great list!
ReplyDeleteGreat List. I too I'm tired of all the toys. I plan to only buy things to add to things they really like to play with now and LEGOS is one of them. Have a great Thursday!
ReplyDeleteEven though electronic toys are popular, I notice that my daughter goes back to the "classics" time and time again! Great list!
ReplyDeletehappy TT!
My sister swears that when I was little she heard mom ordering something for me over the phone. Mom asked "I know the toy is great, but could you tell me more about the box it will come in?"
ReplyDeleteThat's one thing that my husband and I don't get along so much hehehe.. He like buying toys for the kids while I choose those that are educational..
ReplyDeleteI am sharing the new and addictive Fun Memes I just joined.
The box sounds good hehehe.
ReplyDeleteIt never was anything big for Christmas in our family!!! Kids don't need all that they want. LOLOLOL
ReplyDeleteMy 13 is posted...I'm talking Turkey today. It's posted below my Thursday Thunks, so if you can find time to visit, just scroll down a bit!!
Click HERE
AS I read this I laughed because two of my children are awake and sitting in their boxes watching tv. They are 7 and 3. We made cars out of them yesterday.
ReplyDeletei work for Toys r us holidays hahah
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. Mine are all grown, but if I had it to do again, less would be more. Currently we have little grands to buy for, and have decided to get them cute pjs each Christmas. Fun and stressless!!
ReplyDeleteI'd add an Erector set to that list. Those are great for building things. But this is a great list for folks who want to give good value when they give toys.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing less for the kids this year, too. They are 3-1/2 and now at the age of "I want" and I'm hoping to change our habits and help them form a healthy relationship with stuff. I love your list and we have most of the things on it. The only thing missing is a playtent and it is something I am making for the girls for Hanukkah.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on your thought processes. In fact, my kids are kind of thinking along those lines too and I'm tickled. Only, with being so practical, they haven't put anything on their wish list yet...because they have everything they want.
ReplyDeleteThis Christmas will be interesting!
Wonderful list filled with practical creative ideas ... thanks for sharing ;-)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
I won't be spending much this Christmas either.
ReplyDeleteCardboard box is a great idea..hehe
hehe, I remember LOVING playing in a cardboard box as a child. And the rest about that should become a blog post for me. Terrific list. I'm a newbie to T-13. Glad to meet you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful list.
ReplyDeletecardboard boxes often please the kid more than the toy
ReplyDelete