What toys to buy??

[Lostinspacecakes]

I have 3 DS. 4, 7 and 16. The 16 year old amuses himself most of the time. But I’m struggling to find toys for the younger 2 to play with at home. I don’t want them on their devices/watching tv all the time during the holidays. Don’t want to spend a fortune either. But I would like to stock up on new stuff that they’ll get good use out of...
any advice? Also, I’m happy to go to charity shops/2nd Hand stuff, just don’t know what to look out for?

Asda seem to be selling off it of their summer stuff. I have 3&6 yr olds and they have been pleased with some of what we got. We got a cricket set, skipping rope, bubble machine, tennis balls, and 2 sand pit toys for £10.
Other stuff that goes down well is duplo and Lego, the orchard games too.

Thanks. I’ll go and have a look

I agree with @hidinginthenightgarden about outside toys and Lego, and I'd add arts&crafts stuff - nothign specific, so not set where they follow an instruction and then are done with it, but loose parts to be creative with, like different types of paper, scissors, glue, glitter, colors, recycling material etc.

Old adult clothes to dress up. Blankets to build forts with.

My dc are never off their bikes and scooters. After that I would say Lego is used a lot.

I have 4 and 8 year olds, and I agree with art stuff (which you can get cheap in Poundland/ B&M/ The Works). Mine love coloured paper, sellotape, pens, stickers, all the cardboard boxes from the recycling to make stuff out of. We have paints out sometimes, but I don't allow glitter because I can't cope with that level of mess.
Yes to Lego if you have more money to spend and outdoor toys too.

They also both enjoy playing Junior Monopoly.

Following

Lego is good but IMO k'nex is better.

Lego? Mine spent many hours designing hotels for their dolls, always with en suites - they were always fascinated by hotels

Magnatiles, easily my DS’s favourite toy between those ages

Just Googled the magnatiles... perfect! Thank you. Ordered them on amazon prime so will arrive tomorrow x

Orders this lot. The boys will be so excited. Needed to treat them as me and their dad are telling them tomorrow that we’re separating and I’m moving out. They’ll be with us the same amount of time, just not all together. I’ve bought new bunk beds for them too. Hopefully put a positive spin on the shitty situation.
Thanks for all your suggestions x

I saw fuzzy felt in an art shop last week. Had no idea they still made it, but it's relatively mess free, time consuming and creative.

Oh yes, I LOVED my fuzzy felts!! Another one for the win

Hama beads

Bless you. That soudns rubbish.

My kids love magformers/magnatiles too.

We also love fuzzy felt, lego, a book with laods of paper sheets in various como designs with instructions on folding paper aeroplanes

Outdoor tennis sets, football, paddling pool etc always go down a treat plus bikes and scooters.

Indoor board games are always great and Lego or knex.