Do kids have too many toys nowadays?

[Sophiesshoes]

I haven't a clue what to get my various godchildren and nephews and nieces for Christmas. They all have playrooms stashed with toys and don't seem to play with half of the stuff.
AIBU to think that maybe kids were better off when they had less toys that they played with more. Nowadays a lot of kids barely react to a new toy, which seems a bit sad.

I agree that many children have too many toys, sadly there are some who don't
What about an alternative present, either a day trip, tickets for an event or something small alongside a sponsorship gift, such as a school/ child/ animal.

Yanbu, perfectly right. It comes too easy these days so kids don't really know the value of things. Why not rather give them something which they will have a memory of, like taking them for a day out, spending time? Think they will treasure this more.

I agree, my DCs are much happier and get more out of their toys since cutting down.

A trip out sounds nice.Also I think craft kits make good gifts.Something theyve got to spend time doing.

I do agree that fewer toys can be better,i think too many can be overwhelming as too much choice can be difficult for a child.Also if they had fewer toys theyd use their imagination to make new games utilising what they had.

YANBU. I think children were forced to use their imagination more and be more creative when they had fewer toys as well. Nowadays every second toy seems to come with batteries and flashing lights and all the child has to do is flick on a switch. There seems to be much less make believe and inventiveness required.

I was at a friend's house the other day and her little girl had about ten Barbie dolls - one in ballet gear, one in a bridal dress, one in a gymnastic outfit etc etc. When I was a kid most of us had to make do with one Barbie and we just made new outfits out of scraps of material or tissue paper. Why does a child need a new doll for each outfit??

Yes they do.

Including mine,and mine dont have a huge amount (imo,and compared to their
friends)

In my ideal world mine wouldnt have any toys at all,they would make their own out of sticks and pebbles and stuff,and just climb trees all day!

op,i bet if you bought them some pens and papaer,or some books,they would use them,and hteir parentswould be grateful too,i would be.

YANBU - my DS's room is full of plastic crap.

If I were a more organised parent I'd stash some in the loft and recycle them every few months but can't see the point now as all he and his school mates think about these days is sodding Minecraft.

Thanks for some of the suggestions. They sound great.

Please don't start me on those Barbie dolls!!!!