Gifts We’re Still Using (Years Later!)
I expected my kids to outgrow their toys quickly… but that hasn’t been the case with many items we have purchased over the years. I’ve learned that open ended toys (that, in the vast majority of cases don’t require batteries) are gold. Toys that invite imagination will be used endlessly because their imaginations are equally endless. Equipment that allows them to test their physical strength and prowess are another sure bet around here!
Below are the gifts that we have collected over the last many years and have been enjoyed by a huge variety of kids who have visited our home… back when that was a thing [insert wistful sigh].
My children are just about 8 and 6 years old.
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Indoors:
These are so smart- a cute little plush bird that sings authentic bird calls provided by the Cornell lab of Ornithology’s bird recording archives! I’ve gifted additional birds each year so we’ve gradually added to our collection, and these little guys have taught us to train our ears for these bird calls! There are many varieties to choose from based on what’s in your backyard or what you’d like to learn, and affordable!
We have collected sets of these in many themes and there is always a puzzle out on our side table in our living room, year round. Because they’re smaller puzzles, they are easier for us to devote space to, and they’re less intimidating to my guys to jump in and out of. Though each box is 500 pieces, the individual puzzles range around maybe 25-40 pieces each. (The backs are color coded.) We’ve enjoyed the song birds, butterflies, fish, and wild animals.
The ONLY drawback to these is the storage space… but these are used endlessly in our home! They’re dragged from the basement up to the bedrooms and back, creating furniture for their play restuarants, walls for their forts, fishing boats… you get the idea. They’re so fun! I tuck them into an XL storage tote.
Speaking of forts- these are used endlessly to attach blankets and sheets to various furniture (and the waffle blocks above) to create epic forts. They’re 4.5″ long and super sturdy!
Since the kids are literally climbing the walls all winter anyway, we asked for this for Christmas 4 years ago and have grown along with it. It’s been used a ton and challenged the kids to use their muscles in different ways indoors.
Ring Toss Game* I’ll issue a caveat to this one- we bought one of these this past summer for my Dad’s birthday, so it hasn’t stood the test over years, but it is a lot of fun and I love that all of the ages, adult down to kids can enjoy it. My parents have it hung outdoors under an overhang of their garage roof, but it is recommended to be used indoors (due to the wood). The rings are made of a lightweight plastic.
Outdoors:
Slackline. This attaches between two trees as a “tightrope.” This has been beloved for years, and used by countless friends.
This year I’m considering a ninja extension kit (above) for it! Or a pulley!
Stomp Rockets. To be truthful, we have had to replace our rockets once (with allowance money ;)) because our neighbors don’t return them when they have flown over the fence… But with caution, they could be used for years and years!
Happy Gifting!
If you’re looking for BOOK ideas, check out this post:
