Let's share imaginative toy recommendations!

[Reagan&Co.]

Well, all us parents know that kids play with creative toys WAY more than the ones that are battery powered with only one or two functions to them. And, we have all seen the TV commercials advertising the toys for the holiday season........SO, what about the OTHER TOYS??? The good ones, the imaginative toys that are played with over and over, well-made, and "off the beaten path" (i.e we already know about Legos).

This week I have found two great toy ideas from the budget board that I NEVER would have known about, if it weren't for you guys! Thanks!

What else is out there?

I just ordered Snap Circuits from Amazon. I had never heard of them, and they have VERY good reviews (195 reviews with a 5 star average).

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I don't know but I'd love to know!

 

[tinkermom23]

We LOVE imaginative toys!

DS10 really likes Playmobil and he has several sets he uses together. Legos and Playmobil and he will be occupied for days!

I know a lot of my friends frown on it, but we love playdough. We add cookie cutters, pipe cleaners, buttons, mini Mr. potato head thingys, whatever we cna find and it's different every time, and we play with playdough at least once a week.

Oh, and cardboard boxes. A free toy!

 

[labdogs42]

I found this great Tower of Doom from some deal website. I ordered it for my son and I think it will be really cool!
http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1414

I like PLaymobil toys for imaginative play and I want to get some Melissa and Doug dress up outfits for my son, too. http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1259119628&sr=1-1

 

[disneygals]

My girls loved felt kids story boards. They are teens now, so no toys

 

[limace]

I love these suggestions! Play food and a play kitchen get lots of use at our house, as well as dress up clothes. Art supplies! We love the Hearthstone catalog.

 

[salleys]

I used to love to give a plastic tackle box with plastic tools. I think Playschool used to make some sturdy tools. Does anyone know who makes good toy tools?
Salley

 

[kfeuer]

I highly recommend Kapla blocks. They're not cheap. However, my boys love building with them and they've gotten a ton of use. I also like the fact that they're non-toxic and made with real wood. Here's a link that shows what they look like:
http://www.nextag.com/kapla-blocks/stores-html

 

[fun4me]

I ordered the Melissa and Doug treehouse for my 5 year old(when it was on sale at woot.com). I plan to get some playmobil pirates to go with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1259122770&sr=8-1
We also have the play kitchen and a ton of costumes for him. He is the youngest boy so our kitchen is falling apart and we need a new trunk for the costumes.
My youngest boy really wants a puppet theater. So I am trying to decide if I want to purchase one(tabletop/or freestanding) or make one out of cardboard for him. : /

Not really imaginative but not electronic either.....for my two older boys I ordered the Perplexus. http://www.amazon.com/PlaSmart-BL10...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1259123169&sr=1-1
It looks like fun. I might have to order the Snap Circuits for them too.

 

[fun4me]

I highly recommend Kapla blocks. They're not cheap. However, my boys love building with them and they've gotten a ton of use. I also like the fact that they're non-toxic and made with real wood. Here's a link that shows what they look like:
http://www.nextag.com/kapla-blocks/stores-html

Oooh cool!! Those look neat! Do you know how they compare to citiblocs? The citiblocs look a lot cheaper. That might have to go on my Christmas list--one box for each boy and maybe even dh.


My boys also like these little wooden shaped men. They were orginally purchased to line up like dominos but they get used for a lot of other things too....target shooting, other little men for their pirate, sorting colors and such.

 

[kfeuer]

Oooh cool!! Those look neat! Do you know how they compare to citiblocs? The citiblocs look a lot cheaper. That might have to go on my Christmas list--one box for each boy and maybe even dh.

Sorry, I don't have any citiblocs so I can't compare. I'm sure anything that's the same kind of size would have similar playability (is that a word )

 

[fun4me]

Sorry, I don't have any citiblocs so I can't compare. I'm sure anything that's the same kind of size would have similar playability (is that a word )

Thanks--That is what I was thinking too. I decided to try the citiblocs out. I have some in my cart at Amazon----waiting to see if I can get a better deal.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I've been thinking of the grocery store/lemonade stand or the pupper theatre by Mellissa and Doug

 

[sameyeyam]

Ping pong paddles and balls...notice I didn't say Ping Pong Table. Seems my son and his friends enjoy playing ping pong over the roof of the house, with one kid on each side of the house. Have no idea why I even spent money on a ping pong table. My son is 11 and for the past year he and his friends have had a blast playing Roof Ping Pong.

 

[Reagan&Co.]

Ping pong paddles and balls...notice I didn't say Ping Pong Table. Seems my son and his friends enjoy playing ping pong over the roof of the house, with one kid on each side of the house. Have no idea why I even spent money on a ping pong table. My son is 11 and for the past year he and his friends have had a blast playing Roof Ping Pong.

That's awesome!!!! BOYS!!!!

 

[PinballFamily]

The best toys EVER I got our kids were wooden unit blocks.

I bought some locally (sadly, the store closed), but I bought more from this great site (link below). The prices may seem steep at first, but these are terrific and my kids are *still* playing with them as they approach their teenage years! Plus, we all know how much we all pay for the crap plastic toys...don't get me started here!! (And I'm hanging onto these puppies for the eventual grandkids too!!!)

This company does have sales during the year and we've bought the "seconds" too and really can't tell the difference. The unit blocks are better, IMHO, than just any old wooden blocks, since you can really build stuff with them and the sizes match up. (2 small ones = one longer one, two longer ones = one super-long one, etc.) There are probably others who sell these (online and in teacher stores), but I've had great transactions with this seller and like the fact I can buy "open stock" blocks - we usually do that instead of sets, now.

Our kids love the blocks and so do their friends who come over - we've got quite a collection now.

Hope this helps someone - good luck!

http://www.barclaywoods.com/

 

[Bearshouse]

Okay so every year I worry that DS10 (who has disabilities) won't like the presents DH and I purchase for him. And every year so far the best present is the empty boxes and wrapping paper all over the floor. He just loves to wiggle and laugh in it. He even has DD5 into the action now.


This year they are getting the family game night trophy. We play tons of games and this is a cool way for them to show off.

Bearshouse

 

[lindsmom]

For building, magnatiles.

For pretend, a tea set (she has two, one that she painted herself).

Lots of art supplies! Floam, model magic, those scratch boards that you scratch off the black on top to reveal color beneat.

Writing supplies - she was thrilled out of her mind when I gave her an extra notebook that I had (not as a gift, just a hand - me - over), pens, pencils, erasers.

 

[Perditamarie]

I love imaginative toys...so far, Play doh has been the all time best!

We also have the treehouse and Castle of Doom (huge!!).

Here are some more of my wishlist...they are too $$$$ to ever get off the wishlist tho!:

http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/what-a-blastoff-rocketship/productinfo/29450/

http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/KidKraft-63228-KK1597.html

This is awesome....think a creative person w/some paint, glue and a bookcase could come close to making this themself:

http://www.martindollhouses.com/action_figure_city.htm

Will have to remember roof ping pong when they get a bit older!!

 

[SeansMom]

My son loves board games, but went through a phase where losing wasn't fun for him. It seemed to hurt his feelings. (And frankly, since his older brother has 11 years on him, he was always playing against teens and adults.) I found a great alternative; Cooperative games. The two we had and played quite a bit were "Max" and "Bring in the Harves". We all liked Max the best. The goal is to get all the other critter home before "Max".

Eventually, like all kids, he began asking for other games as well, and then grew into being able to play, win or lose, with those around him. He still loves games, and I think these games helped him transition into a stronger game player. In fact, he just beat his Dad and I both at scrabble last week. Nothing like being beaten by a 16 year old!!!

Anyway, here's the link: http://www.familypastimes.com/ If you live near Olympia, WA, visit "Wind up Here" in downtown Olympia for tons of wonderful toys and games. I love that place. It makes me wish I still had little kids.