Advice on Good Non-electronic Toys and Games

Hi S.,

My son is only 2 but my preschool teaching sister says these are things that every home (with a preschooler) should have:

Brio Wooden Blocks (she swears they will play with them for years)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267692

1 affordable tent (that fits indoors or outdoors)

1 box full of dress up stuff

1 box full of art supplies they can use whenever they want.

As far as resources go, check out Goodwill etc. type stores and craigslist. If you check regularly you are bound to find some great things - I know I have.

Good luck!
Good luck to you!

Dolls, tinkertoys, lincoln logs, a chalkboard with chalk, finger paints, homemade playdough (from my childhood), and Fisher Price little people and house/garage/airport/farm etc., goop (you have to make that), tonka toys, puzzles (from my son's childhood). Perhaps since she's outdoor oriented, a bike or nature toys.

I would try to find a used toy store (where I got most of my son's toys). Garage sales are also good, and the best are nursery school garage sales. Legos are plastic but very sturdy and you can find them used occasionally. You might also try Craigslist and freecycle.org. My son only got a new toy at Christmas and on his birthday (always Lego sets, which are pricy), but I found lots of things at a used toy store or garage sales for minimal prices.

S.,
I have found that the activity toys from Klutz are great. You can find them at some book and/or toy stores or just go to www.klutz.com and order them on-line. They tell you what age the activity toy is best for so you don't get one for a 4 year old that is meant for an 8 year old. Good luck!

C. B Palmer
www.linabean.myarbonne.com

Toy Go Round on Solano Avenue in Albany has a great selection of used toys. They're well organized, and they know what the kids like, too. Check them out. But don't expect her to like the better quality, "old school" toys. You will buy something really nice, and she will, of course, immediately ask for a cheezy plastic doll, or some kind of handheld electronic game, or some other, similar item. It never fails!