Shannon is hosting a fun themed WFMW this week. She has asked for readers to recommend their favorite, time tested toys. With six kids we have had a lot of toys come and go through the years, and we have found some tried and true, loved by everyone favorites.
Plastic Army Men Military Playset 
I bought a box of army men on clearance for $2.50 after Christmas one year. We take them when we travel and the kids always have something to play with. If we lose a few or they break I don’t care because they were so cheap.
Playing with the Army men during our recent camping trip.
My only regret with Playmobil is that I didn’t find out about it sooner. My kids love this stuff and there are so many products in different price ranges it is a perfect gift for anyone to give to the kids.
My kids love pattern blocks of all kinds. I particularly like this kind because it is magnetic, and I like all things magnetic. You can take them anywhere and kids of all ages (except those that still put things in their mouths) love them.
If you can only afford to buy one toy this year, buy snap circuits. We purchased this for my son when he was 9 years old. He loved it, his younger brothers loved it, his sisters loved it and three years later he still plays with it. It is also educational, which is a big plus!
Sculpey clay hardens so kids can make items to keep. My girls like to make dolls and beads (which can be used for necklaces), while the boys make boy stuff, snakes, dragons, and guns.
Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress-Up
I have several versions of this toy and they are all well loved in our house. My 2 and 4 year old girl will play with this for 30 to 45 minutes without getting up. I like this one because, once again it is a great toy to take on a trip as well as play with at the table.
We still have toy food from when my 14 year old was a toddler. These toys (even the cheap ones) last forever and are enjoyed by my children starting with the time they can walk.
I bought this for my 13 year old daughter last Christmas. She has learned how to knit using the knifty knitter and has made several hats, scarves and other items. It is a great beginner step into the world of crafting.
We don’t give a lot of toys for Christmas. I feel like we have too many already and with all the moving we do, it is hard to find space for everything in each house. I like to give consumable gifts to my kids such as paper, markers, crayons, paints, and other craft items that they can use up and eventually throw away.
Several months ago I wrote a few posts recommending toys and books for specific age groups. You can click on the links to get more ideas.
Toys and Books for Preschoolers
Favorite Books for Little Girls
Favorite Books for Little Boys
Kitty says
My kids too love play foods. We have tons and they do get used a lot.
Heather says
My kids are big pattern block fans too!
I really have to check out Playmobil. I hear lots of great things about their sets. Thanks for sharing your list!
P.S. My hubby still likes to play with army toys! 😉
marina says
wow, that’s a lot of toys. santa’s got his work cut out for him!
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Tonya says
We love little army men and legos!!
Sherry says
Thank you for the great ideas! 😀 I am looking for ideas for CHRISTmas. 😀
Kim says
All excellent ideas! The magnetic toys are new to me; when my kids were growing up we had several felt toys we took on trips. One was an animal “book” and the kids could move the animals around the pages and make up stories as they went. The other was a felt doll with felt clothes. I’m sure it’s easier to keep track of magnetized pieces! 🙂
Breanne Vasquez says
What great ideas…my daughter has the toy food and plays with it all the time!
Michele says
Great suggestions; thanks!
Steph at the Red Clay Diaries says
We must be the same person. 🙂 I found myself ooohing and aaaahing over every single item on your list.
I LOVE the idea of magnetic pattern blocks. I know my youngest would play with those for an entire day.
And I’ve heard of Sculpey, but now I need to get it. My girls have started wanting to save all their play-doh sculptures, and we all know how well that dries.
AND Snap Circuit: Must go look right now. I think my inventor son will LOVE it.
Thank you! I think have have half my Christmas shopping done!
Tiff@Three Peas says
We have a plastic bag of legos that we keep with us when we go to restaraunts. The kids enjoy stemming there bordem by creating at the table.
Kim says
The play food was on my list as well lol. Great list I’m going to have to check out the fractiles. My middle son would probably love those.
Thanks for sharing.
Kim
Jennifer says
I am going to have to get that magnet dress up doll. Looks like something my daughter would love. Right now she is obsessed with clothes. She takes off and puts on clothes maybe like a million times a day.
Muthering Heights says
Thanks for the tips!
Cyndy says
I love your suggestions! We too try to stick to time tested favorites at our house. Toys that really let children play, instead of toys that entertain. (Ya’know like tickle me elmo).
I would love…err…I mean my daughter would love the knifty knitter!