Inspired by the "lessons learned" thread on kids toys...

[cissy]

Two DD's ages 5 and 6 here. This is a list of things that have stood the test of time. They may not play with them anymore, but they were worth every penny.

Little People
Leap Pad and Leapster
Play food
Play Kitchen (now I buy them real kitchen stuff out of Montessori catalogs)
Blocks (regular and architectural)
Tape...all kinds but especially masking tape in colors
Appliance boxes
Pop up tents
Dress up clothes
Old fashioned ladies hats from thrift and antique stores
Arts and Crafts
McDonalds toys, for the bath. Then you can toss them when they get gross
Books and more books
Board Games
Cards
Musical instruments

Truth is, the oldest toys have already stood the test of time. They are classic for a reason. I buy a lot of things out of the Montessori catalogs, too. However, this year my girls are both asking for a GameBoy. They wanted it last year but I thought they were too young so I kept the Leapsters. But they have outgrown the Leapsters now and so we are getting each one of them a GameBoy for the Holidays.

But we also have pretty strict rules for playing handhelds. They are for car trips and waiting at appointments ONLY. They don't come in the house and they don't go to school.

Anyway, I am sure I forgot a few but I have Mommy Brain!!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

this year my girls are both asking for a GameBoy. They wanted it last year but I thought they were too young so I kept the Leapsters. But they have outgrown the Leapsters now and so we are getting each one of them a GameBoy for the Holidays.

Just a suggestion...take a look at the Nintendo DS instead. Santa gave our DS a Game Boy two years ago, but by last summer he wanted the DS (he saved up his money and bought it himself).

The DS plays all of the Game Boy games (I think...I'd have to ask DS to be sure though, lol!), plus other games that GB doesn't have. Plus, DS's can connect to other DS's, so the girls could play some things together. It's a very cool feature, and DS loves being able to play against his friends. Had I known all of that before, Santa would have brought a DS instead.

 

[Princess Roo]

For DS2.5, his favorite is anything that he can use to copy what we do...kitchen stuff, tools, phones, etc.
He also loves the Little People stuff
Using various cars and balls and then cardboard boxes to build ramps

 

[fluffernutter]

My girls almost 2 and 3 1/2 both love and play with on a daily basis:

melissa & doug magnetic dolls
fisher price doll carriages
little tykes play kitchen with dishes
and finger paints

I have an addiction to popping bubble wrap and my girls have both inherited this habit,lol
I of course supervise them with it,
but they both love jumping on the sheets of bubble wrap and hearing it go off like fireworks.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I just remembered one more...

IKEA sells a building set called Bygga. Both of my kids love it and build all kinds of things with it. To really get creative, you need a couple of sets; I think we're up to four now.

 

[Skatermom23]

My kids are teenagers and the only things that have latest are the legos, knex, wooden train sets, books and a fisher price doll house. These were always the favorite and most used toys when they were smaller and also the ones that have stood the test of time. I have kept these items for my grandkids!

 

[mama4]

Lots of repeats from other posters but sounds like there is a reason why....

Legos
wooden blocks
Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars (but NOT the tracks)
wooden and big kid puzzles (they love these)
play kitchen
Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Home (had this for 3 1/2 yrs and they ALL play with it)
Rescue Heroes
Bikes
Peg Perego pedal tractor
Power Wheels Jeep
Play Dough
GeoTrax
Swing set

and unfortunately...the Xbox...but not the 360 and they only have a few games. I must say it has been a great bargaining tool though....

I hate that I wasted the $ on the Fisher Price Kid Tough FP3 Player last year. The songs and stories are very limited and he was over them after a few months.
I'm very big on NOT buying "junk" toys. Some things we'll be getting for Christmas are more puzzles, dress up trunk, Star Wars Galactic Heroes sets, older kids lego sets, more play dough, books on CD for in the car (ds 5 LOVES Geronimo Stilton)

 

[NotUrsula]

For little kids, any toy made by Chicco -- good stuff!

For toy trucks, construction equipment, Battat brand. They are Canadian, and they are WONDERFUL. No batteries, these run on 100% kidpower. You can often find them at Marshall's stores.

As a general rule, I try to stay away from any toy where the main feature is that it talks or makes sounds. That gets very boring after a while, listening to the same things over and over.

 

[ptmmg]

we love all the Melisa and Doug toys the wooden food pieces are great and their huge floor puzzles!

 

[ptmmg]

I have a 4 yo who I think would love rescue heroes. i saw this http://www.kbtoys.com/Fisher-Price-...mmand-Center/PID/2369159/ctid/17/INstock/Y/D/ on another website looks like a great price but after reading some reviews you need the rescue heroes to go with it that have been discontinued. Does anybody have this and knows if I just bought some rescue heroes that are out now will he be able to play with it.

 

[dismom301930]

I have three DDs (7, 6, and 3). Here are our favorites:

Arts and craft supplies
Books
Board Games
Card games
Blocks
Leggos
Play kitchen and food
Puzzles
Dress up
Doll house
Polly pockets
Littlest Pet shop
Leapster
Webkinz
Jump Rope
Scooters

For the most part they get bored with the "brand name" toys they see on TV. For example, the only thing my DD7 wanted for her birthday was Baby Alive. She was thrilled to get it, played with it that day and maybe one other, and then has not touched it since May.

Some exceptions to this are Polly Pockets and the Littlest Pet shop toys. They play with these almost every day. And they love Webkinz so I use computer time for Webkinz as a reward.

For Christmas this year I am going to make sure they each get the one thing they ask Santa for. But their other gifts are going to be things that they will play with all the time even if they are not as exciting to open.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

My children like playing with Calico critters and their Calico critter houses (both boys and girls), and their American girl and Aurora brand dolls. They also like playing with Bruder brand trucks. They really function. I believe that they are made in Germany. They are really cool and have been well used but over the past 2.5 years but still look like new. They all love to read and read tons of books. They also loove art and color and draw and paint alot.