My boys love their little tikes cars, I bought each when they were 1. The wiggle car has been around 5 years and besides losing a couple of stickers it's in great shape and is used daily. I bought the younger one a cozy coupe, the only drawback is my soon to be 6 ds is too tall and has to have his head out the side. Also they love their roller coaster, and all have held up abuse by 2 rough little boys

I am so glad to see that most people agree the basics (blocks, legos, puzzles, anything creative and imaginative) are the big hits. I just saw a commercial on TV this morning for a new, big (Little Tykes - like) kitchen that TELLS the child to put frosting on the cake and then says "Good JOB!!" To me, that is an AWFUL toy that just sucks the creativity out of learning!!! I hate those programmed, play it my way, electronic toys.

The classics are huge in my house, trains, legos, books, and dress up. There are so many junky toys that are just movie and TV character promotions in disguise. JMHO!

I agree with the basics as well. One of DD favorite toys that is also a big hit with her friends are large cardboard brick blocks (like the ones in Kindergarten and Preschool classes). They always become a house, a castle or something else fun We saved cupholders from McDonalds to make castle tops
A good doll house is worth it as well

Jen

Another great idea for a water or sand table is to add scrap pieces of paper, safe hole punches and safety scissors. It is a great way to allow little ones to explore cutting paper with out structure (aka cut out the shape on the lines) and learn how to use scissors.

Jen

Samantha also likes Little People, duplos/mega blocks, and arts and crafts stuff. She also LOVES her play kitchen! We find that the classic toys are the toys she plays with most. For Christmas, she's getting a "castle" and a figurine set (her one big gift), probably a movie, a probably some Lincoln Logs. My mom is getting her paper dolls. My MIL, especially, has spent TONS of money on toys, most of which she doesn't play with.

Michelle

In the fall, my daughter's preschool teachers used to put leaves in the water table and let them cut them up with scissors. The kids loved it!

The best toys that DS loves to play with are:

Yep, the box and the wrappings that the gifts came in.

The best ones that I bought him are:

books
blocks of any kind
balls of any kind
Aqua Doodle
deck of cards

Sandra

Things that have been taken care of - or built properly.
1. LEGO: We have a HUGE crate of lego, along with all the manuals from my brothers and I
2. Wooden Toys: My Grandfather made me a stove and dresser - I still have it - its been sanded and repainted and is going to be given to my daughter.
3: Puzzels
4. Board Games

One of the best value toys I have bought my children were Playmobile little people. I bet someone will say those aren't inexpensive. No they aren't and they have tiny pieces (I would remove the small pieces when I had babies around) but those little people have given the best play value ever! My 14 year old Sophmore in High School still plays with them. The only problem is he won't let his 6 year old sister get a turn.



Barb C (who also favors books, blocks, and craft supplies)