Inspired by the really funny thread about what not to waste money on, I'm curious to know what toys are really worthwhile.
For us
Our collection of wooden train toys - it's a hodgepodge of IKEA, brio and Thomas and its been going strong for years. I'll be holding on to it for the grandchildren
A cheap bucket of wooden bricks from Lidl. Used by themselves or alongside the train tracks. Probably one of our most used items.
The Alfie Treasury by Shirley Hughes: it's been read so much that the spine has broken, pages are repaired with sellotape and the dust cover is long lost.
Trampoline : I'm surprised it hasn't holes worn in it. Mine put their coats on and go out in the rain to bounce for a while. Bought it second hand too so cost per use is nothing!
I pull out this mosaic puzzle board when I need a half hour of peace. Hesitated to buy it looking at all those pieces but I love it. The wood smells and feels nice too.
I've bought some lovely wooden jigsaws in Lidl that have lasted well but are out grown now. Stashed away for the grandkids.
Balance bikes when they were young- got great use and they made the transition to proper bikes easy.
Wooden kitchen, ikea pots and pans and Melissa and Doug playfood.
For the garden, child size real metal and wood tools, again from Lidl, and a wheelbarrow. We have a climbing rope (Lidl) and a swing seat (ikea) that get used every dry day. The green turtle covered sand tray still looks as ugly as ever great despite years in the garden.
Lego- im a little ambiguous about it. It's well loved and got great play but I'm disappointed with how a fantastic toy of my childhood has become commercialised and gendered. That's a separate thread though.
Our octonaut collection is another favourite. I'm not as enamoured as the kids are. But they are practically marine biologists now. I get tired popping the window back on the gup x and heartily sick of captain barnacles shouting at me.
Play dough - I'm not so keen on most of the toys the kids disagree except for the fun factory which is like a giant plastic garlic press, and Chomper the Excavator from the digging rigs collection. Plastic cookie cutters and a child sized rolling pin are great too.
Dressing up - a pirate costume and a couple of princess dresses are our most popular and enduring pieces. Play silks and fabric scraps have got great use.
The happy land fairy tree monstrosity still looks like new despite hundreds of hours of play. The windmill is still a play date favourite.
If I could only throw all the other piles of plastic, noise making, crap into a huge skip and be done with it!
Curious to know what the big hits have been for other people.
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Hi! This thread is a little out of date. If you're looking for toy recommendations, take a peek at our roundup of the best toys for Christmas - as chosen by Mumsnetters. MNHQ