Which are your family's legacy toys?
You know, the ones your kids really love. The ones you really love. The toys that you hope to save for your grandkids.
During this season of shopping, I am looking for quality not quantity. Gifts that are worth the investment because they will bring hours of enjoyment and creativity. I would love to hear your suggestions, and, in turn, I'll share our family faves.
#1--TRAINS--The train table Jake got eight years ago is still in use. Almost daily. Boys love it, girls love it. Dads get creative with it. It's a good thing.
A friend introduced us to GeoTrax last year and they are perfect for the two four-year-olds in my life. They play with this for hours. I like the sturdiness of the track which means I don't have to fix it every five minutes.
#2--AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS--An investment, to be sure. Still, I think every girl needs at least one really special doll. Em is not a big dolly girl, but she does love Emily and Molly. The books are well-written and make history fun.
#3--WII--I know. I know. I don't like video games either. But when it gets dark at 4:15 pm and your kids are stuck inside during the long, cold winter, options are limited. I like the Wii because it is somewhat active (unlike TV) and I choose the content (unlike online games).
#4--DRESS-UPS--Hands down the messiest area in our basement. Two trunkfuls of old Halloween costumes, random accessories, and a big square mirror hung at kid-level. A hippie, a soldier, a dragon or a superhero. You just never know who'll show up for dinner.
#6--TOYS WITH WHEELS--Bikes, scooters, roller-blades. This year Jake's even getting a unicycle for his birthday! What can I say? This gang needs to move.
#7--TRAMPOLINE--If our family could have only one toy for the rest of our lives, this would be my pick. Rain, shine, snow or heat. Someone is on it just about every day.
Please share your legacy picks. Mrs. Claus needs some inspiration...
24 comments:
I totally agree. I love Legos and the Wii. My kids are getting more Legos and some more Wii games. Maren also has an American Girl doll because I really want her to have that for her daughter (hopefully?) someday. Our backyard is too small for a trampoline but I agree that is a great investment.
Legos, yes.
Wii, yes.
Trampoline, yes.
Haven't gotten into the American doll thing yet, but I think I should.
I also want to try the magnetix. I hear my kids talk about the other kids in the neighborhood that have them.
A favorite at our house for years has been the bouncy horse on springs thing. I know! Who would have thought? It takes up a lot of space, but I would never dare get rid of it.
I think you need a good wagon, a good rocking horse, and a big ole' doll house.
Okay, I really like all of your suggestions and can't really think of anything to add--except maybe Fisher Price Little People sets. I agree about the doll house too.
We are going round and round about Santa bringing a trampoline. I think the fun and exercise outweighs the possible injury. I hope. I want to get A. an American Girl doll when she is a bit older, maybe 7 or 8.
Wow, you already mentioned almost all of my kid's favorites. Another one is Quadrilla marble runs. My kids love this one - they play for hours. You can create all kinds of different tracks. We also like Snap circuits - for the older, more "engineer" minded.
Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head. They all play this together & I keep buying expansion kits. They also don't break, make noise, etc.
I'm with you on EVERYTHING else!!
Wood blocks and marble works are things we've kept.
Our swimming pool is a hit with all ages.
Excellent suggestions. Our favorite toy is a basketball hoop and ball. And two large dinosaur puppets that the kids still play with.
I forgot to add puzzles. My kids love them and they provide hours of brain using fun.
We're going the skateboard and bow & arrow route this year. They have great bows with non-sharp arrows now that will provide HOURS of backyard fun. Ditto to everything else. We also get games that we can play as a family all Christmas break.
From my own childhood, I'd add a ping-pong table. I'm a sucker for any train type toy.
You've chosen the best ones. We bought a Thomas the Tank Engine table with my first boy. Little did I know I would have 4 of them so it was a great investment.
Legos are still one of my almost 23 year old son's favorite! The kids behind us just got a trampoline, they love it and are on it all the time. Our yards are not as big as yours and I am awaiting an accidental "sail" over the fence into our thorny bouganvillia bush! My dad still has our 50+ year old "Radio Flyer" big red wagon, they don't make them quite as big any more, and that wagon would have made it across the Plains!
For us, it's got to be Playmobiles. There are tons of sets to choose from, they aren't electronic, they exercise the imagination, they've been around forever, and they are fun for all ages. Even my 13 year old still plays (don't tell anyone).
The Magnetix are fun too.
I agree with trains, My son and daughters both played with them and I will never get rid of them. Also classic books, I hope to someday read my kids favorites to my grandkids! And I can't forget about our "Lincoln Logs" and "Lite-Bright", fun for hours!
You listed so many great ones...and I got some ideas for some, too. Thank you, my dear. I laughed at the comment about, "boys being able to make Jell-o dangerous". I hear ya, Sista'!
We like Lincoln Logs and I love their wooden smell.
I need to find something to make forts. I wan't giant, foam Lincoln logs for building, but I guess they would be a pain to store. My couch cushions are the main ingredient for forts and I get tired of looking for my cushions.
I'd say you pretty much covered it.
We have an air hockey machine and the kids love it. Perfect for when friends are over.
I think you got them all. Oh, except board games...we play Sorry and Settlers and Uno and Cranium's Cariboo more than any other toy in this house.
ANd your whole trampoline paragraph was hilarious.
I had to think about this for a couple of days.
Barney videos. The VHS kind. Old Barney is good, new Barney is boring.
Real ceramic tea sets have been a hit with girls and boys.
There is a race track by Hot Wheels at Target that I've had my eye on. I know my niece and nephews really like it.
The best thing I ever bought my daughter was a tape/CD player so she can listen to books on tape from the library.
I'll be checking back to see if anyone else has more great ideas.
All four of my boys have legos, legos, and more legos on their lists this year. We did get my oldest son a Ripstik after his cousin's was a huge hit at Grandma's this summer. I always love thinking toys and toys that make you get up and move! Miss-three-year-old-princess is asking for a princess tea set and is willing to give up all her other toys to get one. This could be a great way to clean out the toyroom... :)
Legos and any kind of art set.
I have to add the "eye clops" (it is a magnifying eye that plugs into the tv) Your oldest boy (& your husband) would LOVE this. I got it for my boys last year for Christmas & this year there's an expansion kit (for $12) that my kids are getting. This thing has provided more fun than anything else this past year! It's been a fun family thing.
Love this list and the idea of legacy toys. I am going to have to add paper dolls and in particular the felt ones from Story Time Felts with the child's photo. We get new ones every year! Felt or flannel board stories should make the list, too :)
I love your grandmas quote!
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