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

With 5 kids, toys have lengthy been a continuing in my home. My oldest is 16, and my youngest is 5, so our toy assortment has finished 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 cherished enjoying with. 

By way of 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 check 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 lounge 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 consists of 100 items of varied geometric shapes in major colours, and I can affirm 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 house 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 lovely pink pastel assortment. We regularly use the blocks with different toys, like Magna Tiles, to construct total villages. 

Large Bean Retailer 117-Piece Busy Port Metropolis Picket Prepare Set

When my son was a toddler, he was given a picket toy prepare set, which was well-loved through the years. My kids have used it on our playroom ground and thru the hallway. Even in case you do not personal a prepare desk, this 117-piece prepare set will work nicely on any flat floor. It comes with trains, a hospital, picket collectible figurines, and extra, and the picket tracks are appropriate with different prepare 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 will be Legos. The Lego Basic Giant Artistic Brick Field is a primary constructing starter set with its personal storage, making it supreme totally free play and as a base for later units. These small plastic bricks have impressed countless hours of enjoyable and creativity in all 5 of my kids, and so they’re the one toy that every one 5 of them have performed with—fortunately—collectively, too. 

Melissa & Doug Picket Thirst Quencher Drink Dispenser

The Melissa & Doug Thirst Quencher Drink Dispenser affords many faux play alternatives. My children cherished 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 may purchase alternative ice cubes, as they have an inclination to get simply misplaced (my preschooler insists on packing them in her purse). 

Melissa & Doug Picket Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter

For those who’re searching for a testomony to only how a lot our household loves the Melissa & Doug Picket Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter, here is my confession: I lately purchased a second set solely to interchange the toppings which have been misplaced over the previous seven years we have owned this toy. It will get that a lot use. 

This high-quality picket 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 occasion set has every part children have to serve at a tea occasion: 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 added 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 kids have persistently loved enjoying and creating with Play-Doh. Along with the free creativity that Play-Doh affords, there are additionally countless accent playsets so as to add on and lengthen the enjoyable. As an illustration, we personal this Play-Doh oven, and the youngsters find it irresistible as a result of it dings when the meals is “prepared.” In addition they love utilizing it for a little bit pleasant children’ “bake-off” yearly once they compete towards one another, and I function the choose of their Play-Doh creations. 

Melissa & Doug High & Bake Picket 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 picket 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 by way of robust Velcro fasteners. The set features a cardboard pizza field for busy little ones who want a takeout possibility. 

Step2 Way of life Dream Children Kitchen Playset

After having 5 kids, 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 provide loads of storage, and a few sort of drink function, reminiscent of a espresso pot or fridge with a dispenser. This Step2 playset options all that and extra. Plus, it’s at present 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 she or he cherished 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 dedication to “lower” all of the greens in half with the included knife was downright lovely. Now, she likes to take the included grocery basket for “buying.” 

KidKraft My Dreamy Picket Dollhouse with Lights and Sounds

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

Little Tikes Jr. Leap ‘n Slide Bouncer

I extremely suggest investing in a bounce home when 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 by means of chilly Michigan winters with 5 younger kids. Regardless of being pre-loved, our bounce home has been going robust for over six years and has endured its 160-pound weight restrict. 

Radio Flyer Plush Interactive Driving 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 she or he’s nonetheless up for a journey 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. For those who select this set from Delta Youngsters, decide from black, gray, white, or blue. Every of the 2 included chairs can maintain as much as 50 kilos and you may add two extra matching chairs for much more seating. 

Store Extra Offers for Mother and father 

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