My kids are (almost)7, 5, and 2.5. I have a lot of toys in my home. Some are great and some are a big pain in my butt. Some they love and some they never look at. I am going to tell you what my absolute favorite toys/games/gifts are in our house. But you need to do the same, ok? I am struggling with ideas to give the grandparents this year. I am on a hunt for fun, non-violent, well made, inexpensive gifts for my kids. Can you help?
First: My kids don’t get completely overwhelmed with gifts. We are very reasonable with the number and size of their presents. We make cookies and bring them to the nursing home. We donate to Toys For Tots, buy gifts for the giving tree at church, and I haven’t walked by a bell ringer for 10 years without making a donation. We light our advent wreath and participate in other seasonal activities. We know the reason for the season and that it’s not all about the gifts. Got it.
Second: We do the handmade gift thing, too. This year my older 2 will make Amy’s ice cream game for their little sister. I am thinking of creating coupon books for the older boys this year, too.
Without further ado, here’s what we love:
1. BLINK- This game is so so fun. It says it’s for ages 7+, but I disagree. My 4 year old was a little slower getting started but that only lasted a game or 2. I even play it with my 2 year old- well, we just match colors, but she freakin’ loves it. Here’s the quickie- it’s a fast game where you divide the deck between the players and then make a few discard piles. The object is to get thru your pile as quickly as possible by matching one of the card attributes (same color, same shape, or same number of items). The perfect game to bring with you if you’ll be waiting around. The perfect game while you’re waiting for the water to boil. The perfect game for when you just cleaned up the house and are waiting for friends to arrive.
2. Mancala - Have you played Mancala? It’s really simple, pretty quick and the kids and I have a ball with it. The only drawback I can think of is that it’s a 2 person game. Oh, and there are lots of pieces- but not a lot of different types of pieces, and if you lose a few you can use rocks or pennies or whatever. I really like to play with my older 2, and they sometimes play together successfully!
3. Legos- I don’t need to expand on this do I? I don’t think you can have too many legos. Hours and hours of entertainment. My only issue is the suggestion books that they come with get distroyed quickly. I like the suggestion books.
4. Watercolor paints- The cheap ones (like the ones I linked to) don’t last long, but that’s fine with me. It is so much easier for me to use these with the 3 kids then the regular tempura or finger paint. Set up is quick, clean up is quick, and dispite their age range, they all LOVE it.
5. Dress-up clothes- It’s a little late for this tip, but maybe you can file it away for next year: buy clearance halloween costumes after halloween. They make a great holiday or birthday gift to use in the dress up box. We have so many costumes and the kids use them…well, not daily, but close.
Your turn….
[tags]Christmas gift ideas, holiday gift ideas, toy suggestions, parenting [/tags]
Photo courtesy of Clark Gregor via flickr, used under a Creative Commons License.
23 responses so far ↓
What Will Santa Bring This Year? at Littlemummy.Com // Nov 26, 2006 at 3:55 pm
[…] Share toy knowledge and present tips at GNMParents […]
Barb // Nov 26, 2006 at 6:31 pm
My oldest son, 7 1/2, has always had a difficult time keeping his interest in a toy for too long. Besides blocks (wooden or plastic), his focus on a toy lasts about two days before he’s telling us which toy he wants next :(.
However, a few weeks ago he became interested in the Tamagotchi - a digital pet - and used his own money (earned collecting acorns for Grammie) to buy one. This is not something that I normally would have bought for him, but I let him buy it himself, so he can learn more about money and the things he buys with it.
If I hadn’t allowed him to buy it, it would have been my mistake! He’s had this thing for almost a month now, and it’s the first toy that he’s played with every day, almost all day long.
Like a real pet, you have to feed it and care for it, cleaning up after it, too. It grows rather quickly, going from newborn to toddler, then teen to adult - all within a week. There’s so much more involved with it, too. At the end of the adult stage, it can have a baby, starting the next generation. Currently, he’s got a parent and a newborn, and tomorrow when he wakes up, the parent will be gone and he’ll have to name and care for the infant.
There’s excitement in seeing what “breed” you’ll get (I liken it to an animal, though the company doesn’t call them breeds). My son’s interest level, and the fact that he can connect them with his friends’ Tamas for visits and games, has me “toying”
with the idea of getting one of these for each of my nephews and niece that are old enough.
Diane // Nov 26, 2006 at 6:38 pm
Thanks for the post. I have 2 little girls (3 1/2 and 20 Months) and the last several years have been a major disappointment because I over bought and it took as about 2 weeks to open gifts since my older daughter DID NOT CARE and I begged her to finish! This year I am getting a little more realistic! Since they LOVE music I got Ralph’s World’s new CD/DVD combo (That is already a proven winner as hey have all of his pervious CD’s and go crazy whenever he comes on the Disney channel). I also got each of them a book about “them”. I got my 3 year old “girly girl ” she Fairy Book from I See me (http://www.iseeme.com/) and my 20 month old the Sesame Street Adventure Book through shutterfly (http://www.shutterfly.com/shop/product_c50436-p2038/Holiday_Sesame_Street_Adventure_Books). Other then that, a LOT of Playdough and Replacement Food for their “kichen. Happy Holidays and thanks for keeping this wonderful Site going! Diane
Erica // Nov 26, 2006 at 6:56 pm
It’s our first year with Erin. To combat present opening fatigue we have decided to open a few of the presents throughout December. This year she has lots learning toys as well as some books, building blocks and a baby doll.
Amy // Nov 27, 2006 at 6:06 am
playmobil noah’s ark set… it has a lot of little pieces but we’ve managed to keep 95% of them even after 2 years. It’s sturdy, and one of the only toys my now 4 year old son hasn’t managed to destroy.
I also suggest building blocks- my friend has a set of blocks made by his father from scrap wood. His son just LOVES them and so does mine. What an inexpensive yet thoughtful and meaningful gift. Another unbreakable toy!
Stu Mark // Nov 27, 2006 at 7:15 am
The newest Lego-tastic fun is the Star Wars Lego video game. Could be game of the year.
Megin Hatch // Nov 27, 2006 at 1:25 pm
Great stuff!
Barb- I’ll have to check out the Tamagotchi- sounds interesting. Reminded me of the egg I had to care for in Home Ec in middle school. They were onto something there. That really was just like taking care of a baby.
Diane- I love the idea about the “me” book. I was going to get my daughter the personalized Dora DVD, but it was a little pricey! Maybe for her bday. Thanks for your comment.
Erica- bows and ribbons! Best gifts ever for a 10 month old!
Stu- We don’t have video games, but the lego website has some great games for the kids. We were introduced to Guitar Hero over the holiday and I think my husband could become addicted!!
Megin Hatch // Nov 27, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Amy- we LOVE blocks. Almost every day my 5 year old has a bday party for his stuffed animal and we make bday cakes… yup, just about every day!
Barb // Nov 27, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Stu,
It’s like you read my mind! I saw some neighborhood kids playing this on their home computer recently, and my son has been vying for time to play. I did a search and see that it’s available for GameCube, which is what we have, so this is already on our “to get fer sure” list!
Megin,
).
I’d love to read (hint, hint) about why you don’t do video games. I didn’t want to get a system, but I have a husband who convinced me (and I occasionally enjoy playing Tetris
Amy // Nov 28, 2006 at 3:58 am
Craft supplies in a special bucket or some other kind of container. My neice and nephew go crazy for that kind of thing. Also, I used to give the kids I was a nanny for $4 or $5 and let them loose in the dollar store. Might be a fun stocking stuffer?
How Do You Re-Gift a Cow? | GNMParents // Nov 28, 2006 at 5:57 pm
[…] Megin’s post reminded me that every year I think, “This year I’ll finally make a donation to (organization name here) in So-and-so’s name.” Because a donation can be any amount that fits in your budget AND it’s going to do good in the world, unlike that $25 thingamabob that sits in somebody’s house until they sell it on eBay, put it on FreeCycle, or regift to somebody a few years from now. […]
Annie // Nov 28, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Awesome list!
This will be Christina’s first Christmas, so it’ll be special. We’ll be traveling this year, and my huge Filipino family will be showering all the kids with all kinds of gifts. SIGH. My husband jokes that we’ll have to rent a U-Haul before we leave home.
Neither of my kids understand the whole Christmas thing…the past couple of years we’ve spent a quiet day at home, away from the crowds and chaos. It helps calm Michael down. And he loves blocks, books, and anything electronic. The simpler, the better.
Erica // Nov 29, 2006 at 10:12 am
Amy - I love the craft supplies too, you can pretty much guarantee that stuff like that will be well received.
local girl // Dec 4, 2006 at 8:31 am
I’ve never heard of the first 2 but we love to play Lucky Ducks. It’s so easy that even I understand how to play it. That and Candyland has always been a favorite. It really helps the younger kids with color recognition!
Rich // Dec 4, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Great post. Thanks for the tips. Sounds like your kids enjoy games (as do mine- 4 girls aged 13, 11, 8 and 5). Here are a few inexpensive ones we enjoy:
1. Jenga- very inexpensive, wooden block stack where each player removes a piece in turn without dropping the stack. We just played this last night, and my 5 year old and 13 year old are into it. Found it in the closet yesterday morning.
2. 20 Questions electronic game (under $10 at Target). The little hand-held electronic globe creepily guesses whatever your thinking in 20 questions. Fascinating for kids.
3. Wal-art. Remember those large b&w detailed posters that come with markers for kids to spend hours coloring? Cheap, and hours of entertainment.
Rich
Holly Schwendiman // Dec 4, 2006 at 3:33 pm
Finding great gifts can be a teaser sometimes can’t it? I loved your ideas. I would add that to the dress up box, I will hit a local thrift store and buy items there that are always a hit from high heeled “mom” style shoes to handbags, hats and scarfs. A few years ago we started a new idea of back to basics for the kids. Mine are 4 and 9 this year. My son loves a lot of wooden toys from wood puzzles to blocks, etc. This year he saw some Legos (which he also loves) that came in small sets building matchbox style cars…he’s definitely getting some of those this year! My daughter got a wooden doll house last year and has been collecting ONE toy set - the littlest pet shop. She loves having such a large collection, I like having something she plays with and can easily add to continually. Several years ago my cousin and I came up with a gift for our grandmother of compiling a scrapbook for her. We made a nice folder with divisions for families and then contacted each family to donate a scrapbook page. It was SO well received and everyone loved going to grandma’s to catch up on all the other cousins using it. My siblings and myself are doing one now for my parents. This year, I think I’m going to do a DVD with pictures through the year and video of my kids singing and sharing a Christmas wish with them. Grandparents love pictures and personalized messages and I like giving them because they already have a gazillion nicknacks!
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner
Here via the Carnival of Family Life :o)
Mike // Dec 4, 2006 at 7:32 pm
I second the old fashioned wooden toys a few people have mentioned. Our kids play with those for longer periods of time than almost anything that beeps.
Our daughter is really into the dress up stuff, too. We have a little easy to access spot that she’s always grabbing clothes out of. I think it is time to hit the thrift store, though. Most of the stuff doesn’t fit well anymore.
Lisa // Dec 5, 2006 at 1:19 am
Great post. Good for you with the toys for tots donations. I have hosted a toys for tots toy drive a couple of times, I think it is a wonderful way to bring some joy to kids lives. For those kids that have a lot it is a good way to teach them the art of giving and get them involved.
Megin Hatch // Dec 5, 2006 at 2:53 am
Rich-
2 of your suggestions are already purchased- 20Q (how does that work?) and the posters. I loved those as a kid.
Localgirl-
You are a better mom than I… Candyland makes my eyes bleed after a few minutes… I think Luckyducks is coming to my nephew so I can check it out!
Holly- the scrapbook is a great idea- and a good alternative to framed pictures! My mom has 24 grandchildren… how many pictures can you really display?
Mike-
Beeping toys also make my eyes bleed.
Lisa-
I agree completely!
Thanks to everyone for adding to the conversation!
Kerri // Dec 5, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Great ideas. My daughter loves the dress up stuff, though I HATE the plastic high heels! She’s kinda clumsy and always ends up wiping out at least once when she’s wearing them (wood floors). I may have to alter them for safety! Right now my kids are playing with everything they can find in the kitchen drawers (which is why all the sharp stuff is stored up high!). Wooden spoons and plastic bowls are often their favorite toys.
Kim // Dec 12, 2006 at 2:21 am
Here are a few that are still in production that my sister and I loved as a kid:
Ants in the Pants and Cootie. Two very simple games that preschoolers can play, but that older kids enjoy too. Cootie’s a little slow for adults, but Ants can be shot from further away to make it more challenging. Fun and simple.
For younger kids, play plastic food and a shopping cart– we spent hours playing “shopping”, playing kitchen, and using the cart as everything from a doll stroller to a makeshift wagon for hauling our crud around.
Sesame Street has a new DVD with seven hours’ worth of the earliest Sesame Street shows (1969-1974). I love it for the nostalgia, my one-year-old gets exposed to letters and numbers, and I don’t have to listen to Elmo screeching. Everybody wins.
For nieces and nephews, little gift certificates to their favorite restaurant can make their day. You can take them, or make sure that their parents have to do so by giving the certificates.
I buy the frosty coupon booklets at Halloween (they expire on 12/31) from Wendy’s and put one in each kids’ gift. Makes sure they get a quick trip to Wendy’s before they expire– and costs 10 cents a kid!
The Klutz collection of books/crafts is almost always a surefire winner for any kid that likes to do crafts or learn new ways to entertain others (magic, juggling, etc).
Ugly plastic beads (and other gigantic jewelry) from thrift stores are a huge hit for dress-up purposes.
For wooden toys, search for the “Melissa & Doug” brand. Good stuff, and not too expensive.
Bug-viewing insect cases were a big hit too– especially those with magnifying lenses. Sea Monkeys and their assorted accessories, believe it or not, were my heart’s desire as a kid for years and years. Grosses me out now, but hey, I thought they were awesome. (Buy an extra set of eggs to keep in reserve, because kids will kill them eventually.)
A lap desk with the beanbag cushion and flat hard top was much beloved, too– along with fancy scissors (with decorative cutting edges) and GOOD markers that didn’t dry out immediately. Good colored pencils were great, too, especially with a cute pencil holder and sharpener and some real art paper.
A trip to the pottery-painting store (a gift certificate, maybe?) would have been FANTASTIC to me, if they’d had them when I was a kid.
For a teenager who’s a writer, a nice fountain pen (not outrageous, just nice– maybe $20?) and a moleskin notebook would blow their mind.
Laura // Nov 27, 2007 at 12:27 pm
My 3.5 yo son plays with 3 things non-stop.
First is a battery powered car we purchased for his 2nd birthday. It was pricey but he has been driving that thing every day for the last year and a half - rain, sun, cold, warm. Was so totally worth the money.
Second, is matchbox cars. He carries them around, plays non-stop and even sleeps with as many as he can fit next to him.
Third, GeoTrax. In a world with many really crappy toys this one stands out. It is indestructible, fun for all age groups (I LOVE playing with it), and the pieces come in a large range of prices. It is easy to get one piece and add little by little. Many people sell them on Ebay too.
Belle // May 21, 2008 at 11:11 am
Use code FSD12415 at iseeme.com for free shipping on all orders, no expiration date. These books are great keepsakes for babies and young children–love them. Check them out!!!
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