I Have 5 Children As much as Age 16—They’ve All Liked These Basic Toys (& They Nonetheless Work)

With 5 youngsters, toys have lengthy been a relentless in my home. My oldest is 16, and my youngest is 5, so our toy assortment has executed nothing however develop each birthday and vacation. However irrespective of what number of toys my children personal, there’s a core group of favorites they’ve all beloved enjoying with. 

Via 16 years of parenting, 5 children, two strikes, and lots of encounters with my mother’s personal toy stash, I’ve discovered that these toys have stood the take a look at of time in my household. I will provide you with some hints: Play-Doh, faux pizza, a kitchen playset, and a plush rocking horse all made the record.

Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Set

My son is 12, and simply this previous weekend, I stumbled upon a large Magna-Tile creation he constructed with my 5-year-old daughter immediately on our front room ottoman. Why he selected that spot stays a thriller, however the level is that he’s approaching his teenage years and nonetheless enjoys enjoying with these constructing units. This Magna-Tiles set contains 100 items of varied geometric shapes in main colours, and I can verify that they final a very long time (over 6 years for us!).

Mega Bloks Massive Constructing Bag

Mega Bloks have been a staple in our residence for 15 years. I purchased my first set of blocks from a storage sale when my oldest daughter was a toddler, and through the years, we’ve added to our assortment. This Mega Bloks Massive Constructing Bag options conventional colours, however I’ve additionally purchased the lovable pink pastel assortment. We frequently use the blocks with different toys, like Magna Tiles, to construct whole villages. 

Large Bean Retailer 117-Piece Busy Port Metropolis Wood Practice Set

When my son was a toddler, he was given a wood toy practice set, which was well-loved through the years. My youngsters have used it on our playroom flooring and thru the hallway. Even for those who do not personal a practice desk, this 117-piece practice set will work properly on any flat floor. It comes with trains, a hospital, wood collectible figurines, and extra, and the wood tracks are appropriate with different practice toys from Brio and Melissa & Doug. 

Lego Basic Giant Artistic Brick Field

If I may purchase one toy and one toy just for children, it might be Legos. The Lego Basic Giant Artistic Brick Field is a primary constructing starter set with its personal storage, making it very best without spending a dime play and as a base for later units. These small plastic bricks have impressed infinite hours of enjoyable and creativity in all 5 of my youngsters, and so they’re the one toy that every one 5 of them have performed with—fortunately—collectively, too. 

Melissa & Doug Wood Thirst Quencher Drink Dispenser

The Melissa & Doug Thirst Quencher Drink Dispenser gives many faux play alternatives. My children beloved how the dispenser neatly dropped ice cubes into cups and drinks with a loud “clink.” There’s additionally a enjoyable menu with choices for drinks and the variety of ice cubes you need. My solely grievance is that I want you might purchase substitute ice cubes, as they have an inclination to get simply misplaced (my preschooler insists on packing them in her purse). 

Melissa & Doug Wood Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter

Should you’re on the lookout for a testomony to simply how a lot our household loves the Melissa & Doug Wood Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter, this is my confession: I not too long ago purchased a second set solely to exchange the toppings which were misplaced over the previous seven years we have owned this toy. It will get that a lot use. 

This high-quality wood set is extremely sturdy and hands-down my favourite toy in our home. It is so enjoyable to make use of, particularly the ice cream scooper that attaches to the ice cream to dispense into the included cones or cups.

Battat Play Circle Singing Teapot Set

The Battat tea get together set has every part children have to serve at a tea get together: 4 cups and matching saucers, 4 spoons, a teapot with an ” open ” lid, and 4 cupcakes—as a result of what’s a celebration with out dessert? The teapot even sings for extra enjoyable. We have owned this set for 5 years, and I haven’t wanted to alter the teapot’s batteries but. 

Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Oven Play Meals Set 

All 5 of my youngsters have persistently loved enjoying and creating with Play-Doh. Along with the free creativity that Play-Doh gives, there are additionally infinite accent playsets so as to add on and prolong the enjoyable. For example, we personal this Play-Doh oven, and the children find it irresistible as a result of it dings when the meals is “prepared.” Additionally they love utilizing it for just a little pleasant children’ “bake-off” yearly after they compete in opposition to one another, and I function the choose of their Play-Doh creations. 

Melissa & Doug High & Bake Wood Pizza Counter Play Set

I do know I’ve included a number of Melissa & Doug toys on this record, however that is as a result of they create so many alternative play alternatives and final a very long time. We have owned the wood pizza counter play set for a number of years, and my 5-year-old nonetheless loves enjoying with it. The cheese and toppings connect to the slices through sturdy Velcro fasteners. The set features a cardboard pizza field for busy little ones who want a takeout possibility. 

Step2 Life-style Dream Children Kitchen Playset

After having 5 youngsters, I do know that any play kitchen will need to have 4 important components: a microwave that opens and has buttons, a “working” range, cabinets that open and shut and supply loads of storage, and a few type of drink function, akin to a espresso pot or fridge with a dispenser. This Step2 playset options all that and extra. Plus, it’s at the moment on sale for below $200.

Battat Play Meals with Farmers Market Basket and Chopping Board

You possibly can’t have a kitchen play set with out play meals, proper? I bought this toy meals set for my toddler just a few years in the past, and he or she beloved it. The set comes with pre-cut greens and fruit that fasten collectively within the center with Velcro, permitting children to slice to their hearts’ content material. My daughter’s focus and willpower to “lower” all of the greens in half with the included knife was downright lovable. Now, she likes to take the included grocery basket for “purchasing.” 

KidKraft My Dreamy Wood Dollhouse with Lights and Sounds

I’ve 4 daughters, so dollhouses have been a staple in our residence. My women personal the official Barbie dreamhouse and a wood dollhouse, however the wood possibility has obtained much more play mileage than its flashier counterpart. The KidKraft My Dreamy Dollhouse lasts for a very long time and has many working components, like an elevator, lamp, and piano that performs music. 

Little Tikes Jr. Bounce ‘n Slide Bouncer

I extremely suggest investing in a bounce home in case you have the outside (or indoor) area. I used to be fortunate sufficient to attain a secondhand Little Tikes bounce home; it has been an absolute lifesaver to make it via chilly Michigan winters with 5 younger youngsters. Regardless of being pre-loved, our bounce home has been going sturdy for over six years and has endured its 160-pound weight restrict. 

Radio Flyer Plush Interactive Using Horse

What’s a childhood with out the sound of a rocking horse on springs? Our trusty faux horse is a timeless toy that each single one among my children has used—and he or she’s nonetheless up for a experience anytime. This selection from Radio Flyer can accommodate as much as 60 kilos and lets children feed and groom their horses with interactive sounds and plush fur. 

Delta Youngsters MySize Children Wooden Desk and Chair Set

A toddler-friendly set of desk and chairs has been a staple in our playroom for 15 years. The desk and chairs have served as every part from a platform for coloring to creating Legos to serving up scrumptious faux feasts and tea events. Should you select this set from Delta Youngsters, choose from black, gray, white, or blue. Every of the 2 included chairs can maintain as much as 50 kilos and you may add two further matching chairs for much more seating. 

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