Kiddo has a ton -- a TON -- of those metal and plastic cars. I hate them (to put it mildly), and most of them are broken in some way. I am going to offer him a trade-in for all his broken vehicles for a brand spanking new toy. I want to offer him three toys from which to choose -- all pre-approved by yours truly. But I am overwhelmed my the toy choices that are out there! What do your children like? Please, please help me! My criteria are these:1. Preferable made of wood, but will not turn up my nose at plastic -- after all Lego and the engineering marvel that is Wedgits are made of plastic. Have you seen Wedgits? They are AMAZING.
2. An open ended building/construction toy. We have some unit blocks, Wedgits and Dado blocks, but that is it.
3. Does not beep, honk, squeal, squeak, squak or sneeze or need batteries.
4. I prefer not to have a lot of little parts for Kiddo to lose and New Kid to eat.
Your suggestions are most appreciated!!!
What size/amount/cost range are you thinking about? My kids adore this small & simple set of rainbow arches from Rosie Hippo: http://www.rosiehippo.com/p-905-rainbow-arches.aspx and we've found that the arches are a whole different kind of building experience from blocks. I think Guildcraft makes a bigger set of natural arches and tunnels too. We also love Quadrilla marble run sets - great open-ended building there - but obviously the marbles fall into the to lose / to eat category of small parts!
ReplyDeletetinker toys, lincoln logs, or maybe some of these: http://www.purcifuls-toys.com/curbonbycurt.html
ReplyDeleteMy kids are loving these right now:
ReplyDeletehttp://superheroesandprincesses.blogspot.com/2009/08/straw-construction.html
How about a big refrigerator box from Lowe's or Best Buy (probably free by the way)...just the box..then he can do whatever he wants with it. My kids play with those the longest!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I stumbled across your blog, but I do enjoy reading it!
Ben loves Mighty World and Playmobil playsets. Yes, I know they are plastic--but both are well made. I understand about New Kid and small parts, so you may have to pack away the small accessories--but the figures & vehicles alone are worth the ridiculous price tag of either toy. Some of the Mighty World emergency vehicles come with batteries but Ben hates loud, obnoxious toys so we never fill the receptacle.
ReplyDeleteWe love the wedgits, too. Currently Mr. Intensity is getting major mileage from K'nex (many small plastic parts). If you're willing to pay out a few bucks, consider the magna-tiles. A preschool teacher once told me those were loved by all children.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us posted on your final 3, and definitely which one he chooses.
Hmmm...we're huge playmobil fans around here, but they do have a zillion parts. I'll keep thinking.
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest magna-tiles but someone beat me to it. Here's a site to completely get you into financial trouble - lakeshorelearning.com - go to the manipulatives section.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your excellent suggestions! I have some decisions to make and websites to visit! I'll post what the final 3 are... plus Kiddo's choice.
ReplyDeletePBug also loves her Wedgits and Dado Cubes - they both get a lot of milage around here. A few weeks ago I picked up a set of Gizmos at a garage sale for .50 and they have been a hit, too. Again, plastic, but I have a feeling Kiddo would be into them: http://www.learningresources.com/product/parents/shop+by+subject/gears%21+gears%21+gears%21--174-+gizmos-.do?search=basic&keyword=gizmos&sortby=bestSellers&page=1&
ReplyDeleteI knew I had something on our "wish list" that was similar to the rainbow arches I mentioned earlier - and today I found them. At Magic Cabin, you can get sets of "Element Blocks" which are nesting, colored, wooden blocks (like the rainbow arches) but they come in more nature-oriented shapes and color schemes (stone, fire, and water sets).
ReplyDeleteExpensive, but great design, and loved by both adults and kids...Automoblox. For those kids who love their cars.
ReplyDelete