To think toys are good for babies development?

[Collarbonei]

MIL refuses to buy toys for her grandchildren as she thinks it’s a waste as they grow out of them. She prefers to buy them clothes or furniture (!) for their bedroom. I have no issue with her choosing to buy something else, but the judgement we get for buying our children toys on birthdays and Christmas is getting ridiculous.
If she criticises a toy is only from say newborn to 6 months and that it won’t have much use, we point out they grow out of clothes much quicker but have fun with toys. Not good enough. It makes us awful parents apparently. They never go without clothes, it’s not like we chose toys over essentials.
Our children play with all of their toys, we don’t go overboard, they have a toy box each which to me isn’t much at all.
I mentioned that there are toys which are good for babies development and the majority of them teach something, so yes they’ll grow out of them eventually but in the meantime they are getting use from them. My 10 month old particularly loves a Lamaze buggy toy from newborn and won’t be parting with it any time soon.
What’s your take on MIL opinion?
Do your babies play with toys?
Is MIL correct that children don’t need toys?
How do I politely but firmly tell her to mind her own business?

No toys at all! She’s never bought any of her grandchildren a toy and she has 8 of them. But she’s never played with any of them either as she doesn’t know how to interact spontaneously without a toy or book.
They love kitchen utensils to play with and bubbles, balls etc, we don’t fall for the crap advertising of expensive toys unless it’s something they desperately want, but I couldn’t imagine a soulless house belonging to a family of 5 without a single toy in it. Depressing really.

She does not have to buy toys at all if she does not want too

Opportunities to play in a developmentally appropriate way is what's important, toys makes that easier for us today. I have a 4 year old who is still not ready developmentally for most toys designed for 0-6 month olds so giving him age appropriate toys would be pointless but he does love to explore some common household objects, especially if they are bright, shiny and make a noise when hit.

It’s not the refusing to buy them, I don’t expect her to, it’s the fact she doesn’t agree with them that baffles me.
I buy my children clothes as and when needed, I don’t view clothes as gifts when it comes to children as they’re essentials. MIL views them as gifts which is fine, I don’t expect her to then judge us for buying toys.

Yes its baffling but she is entitled to her own thoughts, I don't think children need a tonne of toys but no toys is just as extreme isn't it?

There are loads of toys that can last a long time. Wooden blocks are great from very young, making towers and knocking them down for example, and as they get older can make farms, zoos, train stations, villages etc. So many great toys out there - but I wouldn't let it bother you, just leave MIL to her views.

She sounds batshit actually - her own DC didn't have any toys at all? Did other people not buy them presents?!

Prehistoric people had bloody toys! It's hardly a new concept.

Toys are not essential for development but play is. Many children around the world don't have (or have very few) toys and play with other objects.

You can make items (though I generally would even call some or ask if these toys) to play with, like shakers or sensory baskets objects.

I did buys and use toys with my own children, as they are fun, they enjoyed them and often it's nice as a parent too have something that is safety tested etc rather than having to risk assess objects each time you want to set your child up to play.

Toys are great for developing motor skills, imaginary play (when a bit older), exploring new sounds and textures, developing eye/hand coordination, provide comfort. Children have had toys forever. Books with textures are also great - my kids loved the 'That's Not My...' series. It's certainly not a sign of neglect - it's not either/or.
I loved stacking blocks, which grew into making buildings and houses from Lego (hours of imaginative play) as I aged, making rooms for my Barbies... oh guess what is a major interest now? Interior design and architecture!
You mil can spend her money as she likes, but her opinions should be kept to herself.

Children need things to play with. Toys are specially designed, safe things to play with, although random things like boxes, and blankets can be most fun as they get older and more creative.

The best toys are ones with open outcomes.

I had the DC's prams/ buggies "decorated" with dangly Lamaze toys, and the DCs liked to reach out and grab them or bat them. It was good for getting them interacting with their surroundings and co-ordination. One has dyspraxia, but at least I know that his early play with toys maximised his co-ordination skills.

The fact that your DH who suffered from her stance thinks she is wrong speaks for itself.
It sounds like she's adopted this "parenting philosophy" to counteract something lacking in her own childhood.

Of course. But she is insisting on buying other things for the dc despite the OP asking her not to.