Best Toys Thread

[dr.girlfriend]

Anyone want to do a "best toys ever" thread in time for the holidays?  I feel like there are a few toys DS has that are just awesome and he's played with for years, compared to the ones that he has interest in for about five minutes and we never see again.  ;-)

This one (Mozart Magic Cube) was a classic from like age one until age three, and he still pulls it out every once in awhile:



www.amazon.com/Munchkin-43521-Mozart-Magic-Cube/dp/B00004TFLB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414164013&sr=8-1&keywords=mozart+music+cube

This one (Magz / Webz magnet toy) is MY favorite toy -- I'm always encouraging him to play with it because it's so much fun.  We have two sets.  I wouldn't get this one if you have smaller kids, though, who might swallow the magnetic balls.


www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Consstruction-Containing-Pentagons-Magz/dp/B00IIEFIVG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1414164214&sr=8-5&keywords=magz

And this is probably a no-brainer, but I'm surprised at how often he still plays with these basic wooden blocks. He mixes them in with other toys, using them to build stations for his trains, or buildings for his Godzilla to knock down, or whatever.



www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-100-Piece-Wood-Blocks/dp/B000068CKY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414164376&sr=8-2&keywords=melissa+and+doug+wooden+blocks

He loves the MagnaTiles at school, but they're so expensive.  Grandma got him the Picasso Tiles which are supposed to be just as good, but personally I find them really frustrating...the magnets seem really weak so the constructions are really fragile. 

[imojoebunny]

DD's best toy ever, she got at 2.5, she is 8 and still plays with is the Mellisa and Doug doll house that comes with furniture.

www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Multi-Level-Wooden-Dollhouse/dp/B000VO3GQU/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1414163587&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=Mellisa+and+Doug+doll+house

For DS, it's just matchbox cars. He loves them. He also likes the slightly bigger die cast cars, but not one in particular.

Both my kids love their Kick Scooters. They out grew the mini and now have the maxi-kick.

[hermione]

I would say the Parum Pum Drum has been the best bang for our buck - played with dail since last Christmas when she was 8 months old. www.target.com/s?searchTerm=B+Parum+pum+drum&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories&lnk=snav_sbox_B+Parum+pum+drum

[my4girls]

Oct 24, 2014 10:11:52 GMT -5 @forgrace said:

Basically anything that is not a toy.

This is the reason I cut up fabric and stuff it into a Kleenex box, or fill Tupperware containers with dry pasta. My kid hates normal toys.

I realize this is not helpful.

my kids are the same way. seriously the only thing they actually play with is the kitchen and pots and pans. all of their other toys are the food they cook. puzzle pieces are a favorite since they "stir" so well. ^o) I don't know why I waste my money on toys

[ssmjlm]

This one was a MMM exchange gift last year (and I am awful and forget who had E), but she still plays with this.  So it's gone from 8m to 18m so far: www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Having-Count-Buggie/dp/B00C78CJW0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414166779&sr=8-1&keywords=bright+starts+bug



This is another she just "re-discovered" and loves: www.amazon.com/Update-Go-Friends-Pop---Ladybird/dp/B0084M88XM/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1414166891&sr=1-1&keywords=chicco+pop


Although I have to say the dog isn't as impressed with this one.

[Deleted]

@dr.girlfriend We have those M&D blocks too. They are one of our most played with toys.

Otherwise these animals by Shleich are a hit. We started a collection for DD as a baby and she plays with them all day long. They have farm animals, safari creatures you name it. Even DS is starting to love them. A bit $ but not bad and definitely quality that we'll be saving for a lifetime.


Mini tractors are also a hit here and last a lifetime. 

And that stupid F.Price remote that sings. Both kids are obsessed.

[Deleted]

Things which both DS (3.5) and DD (15 months) like:
Melissa and Doug chunky animal puzzle:

Mini Trampoline (I got mine used for $20)

[jackpackage]

DS is only 2.5, but the best value toy has been a plastic shopping cart. He has been obsessed with it since we brought it home and he pushes it around all day, every day.

[dulcemariamar]

www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Musical-Rainbow-Tea-Party/dp/B00DCWM2ZE/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1414179893&sr=1-1&keywords=leap+frog+tea+set

www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Shapes-Sharing-Picnic-Basket/dp/B00DCWM1M8/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1414179893&sr=1-3&keywords=leap+frog+tea+set

Leap Frog Tea Set and Picnic Basket

[bunch]

This car is always a favorite for both kids.

www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Classic-Bumper-Car/dp/B003AVGOBU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414179252&sr=8-2&keywords=radio+flyer+car

This cart is what every play grocery cart wants to be.   My two love to fill it up and dump their crap around the house.



I'm also a big fan of the M&D play food because it looks real and holds up well.

[Ashley&Scott]

Train table & wooden train set, hands down.

[skib]

Oct 24, 2014 10:42:03 GMT -5 hermione said:

I would say the Parum Pum Drum has been the best bang for our buck - played with dail since last Christmas when she was 8 months old. www.target.com/s?searchTerm=B+Parum+pum+drum&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories&lnk=snav_sbox_B+Parum+pum+drum

Totally agree with this. We got it for DD for Christmas when she had just turned one, and she's about to turn four and still plays with it at least four days a week.

Something else for the 3+ girls set is the Disney Princess cupcake game. She got it last year, and we play it all the time. It's actually pretty fun, so it's not a complete drag to play it. There's also an Ariel hidden treasures game that's really fun.

She got a few craft kits made by Alex for Christmas last year, and they've been big hits. They're so nice to have on hand to pull out on a rainy day, too.

[SpartanGirl]

Hands down, the Little Tikes Bounce House.  We set it up in the basement in the winter, and it makes MN winters a little more tolerable.
Attachment Deleted

Also worth mentioning, Magnatiles and Legos.

[yellowbrkrd]

Another vote for Parum Pum Pum Drum

He also looooooves this Fisher Price dog: www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Brilliant-Basics-Snoopy-Colors/dp/B000BB56B6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414196665&sr=8-2&keywords=fisher+price+dog 

[matildasun]

Oct 24, 2014 11:12:04 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

Otherwise these animals by Shleich are a hit. We started a collection for DD as a baby and she plays with them all day long. They have farm animals, safari creatures you name it. Even DS is starting to love them. A bit $ but not bad and definitely quality that we'll be saving for a lifetime.

A received a set of these for her first birthday and we add to it at every holiday. They are the only toys in our house that get played with every day. Both of my kids love them.

[mellimel19]

Oct 24, 2014 14:50:40 GMT -5 bunch said:

This car is always a favorite for both kids.

www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Classic-Bumper-Car/dp/B003AVGOBU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414179252&sr=8-2&keywords=radio+flyer+car

This cart is what every play grocery cart wants to be.   My two love to fill it up and dump their crap around the house.



I'm also a big fan of the M&D play food because it looks real and holds up well.

Love the shopping cart! Where is it from?

[bunch]

Oct 24, 2014 20:20:58 GMT -5 mellimel19 said:

Oct 24, 2014 14:50:40 GMT -5 bunch said:

This car is always a favorite for both kids.

www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Classic-Bumper-Car/dp/B003AVGOBU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414179252&sr=8-2&keywords=radio+flyer+car

This cart is what every play grocery cart wants to be.   My two love to fill it up and dump their crap around the house.



I'm also a big fan of the M&D play food because it looks real and holds up well.

Love the shopping cart! Where is it from?

www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-4071-Shopping-Cart/dp/B000VO3GPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414200230&sr=8-1&keywords=melissa+and+doug+grocery+cart

[Birdie]

Oct 24, 2014 10:11:52 GMT -5 @forgrace said:

Basically anything that is not a toy.

This is the reason I cut up fabric and stuff it into a Kleenex box, or fill Tupperware containers with dry pasta. My kid hates normal toys.

I realize this is not helpful.

So far my kids hates all of our toys too. I can't compete with daycare so I don't even try. He'd much rather play with the power cord to my laptop.