Tried and True Toys - A Gift Guide

I'm just going to come out with it - my kids don't play with their toys. Their ponies, Polly Pockets, Pet Shops, and numerous other plastic bits and pieces go virtually untouched. Occasionally they are laid out in a row or shoved into a back pack or box. But they are not *played* with. If you asked them they would tell you they love these toys and would never dream of parting with them. But they, like most of their other toys, just sit. Please tell me I'm not alone.

I started to think about what my girls actually play with. By play, I mean become engaged using. What do they spend time using or doing. Not just to have, but what actually occupies them. Here is the list I came up with:

1) Dress up
2) Coloring (mostly on plain paper, not coloring books)
3) Puzzles
4) Books (Eva only)
5) Imaginative Games (For example, Eva loves to play school. Her stuffed animals are the students, she has created work books for them. She reads them stories and has made a discipline chart for them. Audrey creates tea parties for her stuffed animals)
6) Stuffed animals. They really love theirs. They do not just sit on their beds.
7) Our little trampoline.

In my mind all the other stuff could be donated. Ha. I wish.

So with this in mind, Bryce and I struggle to find just the right Christmas presents for them. We want them to be excited and happy and to feel that magical feeling of seeing their gift. We'd like to get them something they want. But we don't want to purchase something that will end up in the plastic pile. We want to feel good about what we are giving them. It has to be something we believe in and want them to have too. I was talking with some friends today who go through the same thought process. Maybe you do too?

Enter the Tried and True Gift Guide! I thought it would be helpful to compile a list of toys and items that (your) children have actually played with and loved. Not toys that look cool or that you wish your child would like. But look around and tell me what occupies them. I will add your suggestions to the guide with a link back to you. Please leave me the name of the item and a link to where it can be purchased. Also tell me at what age your child used the product.

Yes, all kids are different. One thing may be a hit with one but not another. I still think this will be a valuable list. If nothing else it will get us thinking and help us to make conscious and thoughtful decisions when buying for children.

The Tried and True Gift Guide
1) Folded Trampoline - ages 2-6. This has been great for us, but I know of one family who did not like it.

2) Birthday party set by Melissa and Doug - Eva has had numerous birthday parties for her stuffed animals. Birthdays are an enormous deal for kids. It makes sense that they'd want to reenact them. ages 3-6
3) Tea set - ages 3-6 - Any set will do. I think it should be ceramic, though. It is also nice if it comes with a container to hold the pieces. This lady bug set looks nice.

4) CitiBlocs - all ages. Mme Goudarzi writes "Make sure its the big set, so they can really build something good! My boys and girls all play with them but especially my 14 yr old, who is definitely the mathematic/engineering type! They make apartments, cityscapes, towers, cabins, bridges and whatever else."

5) Sugar + Spice Fashion Girls - ages 3-6. Recommended by Mme Goudarzi.

6) Magna - Tiles - Lisa says, " These have been a HUGE hit in my house and a wonderful investment. Super for imagination and creation. "7) Razor Scooter - 4 and up. Dana says, "For the past 2 years, this has been taken out every single time she goes outside to play. We take it on vacation with us."

8) Plan Wooden Kitchen (with accessories) - Dana writes, "I originally selected this for its compact size and because it's the only wooden one I could find locally. This has been used for the longest span by the most number of children."

9) Office Supplies - Dana writes, "This is very popular with my six year old, especially during the winter months when outdoor play is limited. She is happiest with basics like paper, colored-pencils, scissors, glue sticks, Scotch tape and a stapler."

10) Dress-up - all ages. Dana says, " This is not usually an independent activity but the supply is raided every single time we have visitors, both boys and girls. " I will add that magic wands have been a huge and important part of our dress-up stash. 11) Pocket Toys - Dana writes, " This has been pretty consistent with my daughter. Polly Pockets, the smaller ponies, little animals, etc. The favored toys may change, but the preference for the small size does not."

12) Legos - Kelleyn, Susan and Mme. Goudarzi all recommend Legos.

13) Hot Wheels cars - recommended by Susan.
14) Tents -recommended by Lisa and my Mom. Now that I think of it, my girls do love their tent. Eva received a small doll tent that she also uses for her stuffed animals.

15) A Real Digital Camera - ages 7 and up. Recommended by Lisa for kids who are outgrowing toys.

16) Sewing Machine - ages 7 and up. Again recommended by Lisa who are out growing toys.

17) Art Supplies - Jennifer writes, "Most of the toys sit in the playroom, unloved. Sometimes they'll do puzzles, games, legos, but mostly they love to do art." I completely agree with Jennifer. Although you don't need special art supplies, here is one of our favs: Scented Markers - not just for the smell, but the ink lasts a long time. I had these as a kid and loved them as much as my kids do. Creamy Crayons were also recommended.

18) Schleich farm animals with a fence. And the rabbit hutch with two bunnies.

19) A play doctor kit - I second this recommendation. My girls have the set my sister and I had as kids and it is very loved and used.

OKAY - send me your picks. Or just your thoughts about this topic. I'll make a button to the Gift Guide and put it on my side bar. Hopefully by tomorrow. xo

p.s. I had a hard time with the photos. They freaked out so I had to omit many of them. sorry about that .