Most Used Toys?

[Thriftylady]

These are all great ideas! Most of them we do have, but for whatever reason they just rarely play with them. Some of the items could probably be refreshed, like our kitchen stuff, and they may pick back up with playing with that. This definitely gives me some ideas though of things we don't have that may be good to add to our list!

Have you tried a toy rotation? Pulling some out for a period of time (3-6 months) makes them more interesting when they come around again. Then take some of the ones out when you replace them. But the favorites here are manipulative. I have tons of different ones.

[Febby]

Hot wheel cars are big with my two nephews (ages 2 and 4) as are wooden peg puzzles and play dough.

For my day care kids, Little People, toy trains and tracks, magnifying glasses, lincoln logs, duplos, lacing beads, kitchen toys, and, oddly, peg number boards (http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...?product=15915)

[LVG]

Have you tried a toy rotation? Pulling some out for a period of time (3-6 months) makes them more interesting when they come around again. Then take some of the ones out when you replace them. But the favorites here are manipulative. I have tons of different ones.

I haven't done a typical toy rotation set up, but what I have done is create centers out of the toys rarely played with to give them the chance to "remember" what toys we have available. So for example during centers (which we don't get to often these days, but try to at least once a week...this winter it will be daily) we have a kitchen/house center, grocery center, vet center, Game Center and so on. Even with that setup l, they still gravitate to the dinosaurs daily as their toy of choice during free play. I don't mind at all, but it would be nice to get some items for my kids this christmas that will be used as much as those dinosaurs are!! Last year one of the hot item toys was the doc mobile. My mom bought it for my DD per my request, and it was such a pain! It fell apart everytime they pulled it over the threshold, and it was just frustrating. When we went through what toys to sell or give away during our major clean out, my DD picked to have that sold! I just don't want to get another "hot" item this year for it to just become a frustration and be sold or given away! That's why I was curious as to what toys were played with most in other daycares

[Thriftylady]

I haven't done a typical toy rotation set up, but what I have done is create centers out of the toys rarely played with to give them the chance to "remember" what toys we have available. So for example during centers (which we don't get to often these days, but try to at least once a week...this winter it will be daily) we have a kitchen/house center, grocery center, vet center, Game Center and so on. Even with that setup l, they still gravitate to the dinosaurs daily as their toy of choice during free play. I don't mind at all, but it would be nice to get some items for my kids this christmas that will be used as much as those dinosaurs are!! Last year one of the hot item toys was the doc mobile. My mom bought it for my DD per my request, and it was such a pain! It fell apart everytime they pulled it over the threshold, and it was just frustrating. When we went through what toys to sell or give away during our major clean out, my DD picked to have that sold! I just don't want to get another "hot" item this year for it to just become a frustration and be sold or given away! That's why I was curious as to what toys were played with most in other daycares

I would look at toys based on parts and pieces. If they look like a pain to use or keep up, they are not a good toy! The "hot" toys each season are not really what kids want, they are what advertisers are trying to sell. Sometimes they simple toys that require the most imagination are the best. For Christmas, consider what your kids are really interested in and try to go around that. Also we found our kids were getting to much for the holidays when they were younger. We started doing three gifts and a stocking. Perhaps if you are say getting legos for a gift, you can ask grandparents to add to the set.

[stephanie]

I also recommend rotating toys. IME no matter what the toy is, if it's "new", everyone wants to play with it. (I work with only toddlers so their memories are a little shorter, ).

Favorites here are: baby dolls & strollers, musical instruments, toy food/kitchen, blocks, plastic animals (some of ours are from Little People sets), and these magnetic animals from Lakeshore that I see are now discontinued :

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/media/images/products/full/de113_f.jpg

[LVG]

I would look at toys based on parts and pieces. If they look like a pain to use or keep up, they are not a good toy! The "hot" toys each season are not really what kids want, they are what advertisers are trying to sell. Sometimes they simple toys that require the most imagination are the best. For Christmas, consider what your kids are really interested in and try to go around that. Also we found our kids were getting to much for the holidays when they were younger. We started doing three gifts and a stocking. Perhaps if you are say getting legos for a gift, you can ask grandparents to add to the set.

I definitely agree that the simple toys are usually the best! I thought the doc mobile was so cute last year and figured the kids would love it (those dang ads ****ed me right in!). I do feel we've had rather large Christmas' in the past, especially with having the daycare to buy for. Our kids just kind of got loaded up to provide the toys I felt we needed for the daycare. DH and I have discussed cutting back this year significantly. We have narrowed it to 1 main gift (balance bikes for both), 2 or 3 smaller additional toys, books, and clothes. I keep going back and forth on those additional 2 or 3 toys and what the best thing to get would be so this thread is helping me to narrow that a bit.

[Febby]

I would look at toys based on parts and pieces. If they look like a pain to use or keep up, they are not a good toy! The "hot" toys each season are not really what kids want, they are what advertisers are trying to sell. Sometimes they simple toys that require the most imagination are the best. For Christmas, consider what your kids are really interested in and try to go around that. Also we found our kids were getting to much for the holidays when they were younger. We started doing three gifts and a stocking. Perhaps if you are say getting legos for a gift, you can ask grandparents to add to the set.

Big yes to asking grandparents/other extended family to add to the set. This is what my parents always did. And toys that could be used by a large age range and were durable were important qualities. My parents raised five kids (me and four of my cousins) and we were pretty spread out age-wise. There's a gap of 23 years between the oldest and me (the youngest). We had massive collections of some toys (duplos, legos, stuffed animals, puzzles, probably others).

[childcaremom]

I have one 3 currently (the rest are 1s). He likes hot wheels, potato heads, magna tiles and lego. He prefers the larger mega blocks (rather than the small ones meant for 5+). I have a huge tub of them. He likes play food and uses the kitchen every day.

I also have a sensory bin that gets a lot of use. I change up the filler periodically and he loves that. First thing he asks to do every day.

Other things that come out daily are wooden blocks, books, and little figurines (I bought them second hand so not sure exactly what or who they are but he enjoys playing with them).

My last group was a little different. It was all girls but they enjoyed playsilks, kitchen, babies, mega blocks, wooden blocks. Sensory bin was also a huge hit.
Little people was big with this group.

[Unregistered]

Hi I seen u might purchase a balance bike my daycare love's them. get the strider balance bike definitely the best and worth the cost and u can get them cheaper like from ebay and other places online.we ride them all winter all summer indoors (if u have a big space) and out side ages 18 months to 5 years very light even the little ones can pick up we race ours at the bmx track and once a year in most states the company has championship in different states kids get trophies and stuff.we even took ours up to the snow in the mountains and they have skis that attach to the wheels.I would recommend to everyone teaches great balance and coordination.

[Josiegirl]

Thriftylady, what kinds of manipulatives do your kids like? Sorry, not trying to steal the topic but my dcks love doing those and seem to keep their attention more than most activities. But the ones I have are getting old.

[LVG]

Hi I seen u might purchase a balance bike my daycare love's them. get the strider balance bike definitely the best and worth the cost and u can get them cheaper like from ebay and other places online.we ride them all winter all summer indoors (if u have a big space) and out side ages 18 months to 5 years very light even the little ones can pick up we race ours at the bmx track and once a year in most states the company has championship in different states kids get trophies and stuff.we even took ours up to the snow in the mountains and they have skis that attach to the wheels.I would recommend to everyone teaches great balance and coordination.

Great to know! I had actually written off getting any toys with wheels because for one we have several of the riding toys, and our driveway is basically Mount Everest, and not conducive for bike riding! The only place to ride is the back yard, which is also a hill and the bike we currently have (a tricycle) is used by some of the braver DCK who are ok flying down the hill on it. My DD isn't that adventurous so she never uses it. I had read how easy the balance bikes are to go on any terrain and that sold me on it! Many of my friends have them and their children have learned to ride a bike without training wheels by 5!

[LVG]

Thriftylady, what kinds of manipulatives do your kids like? Sorry, not trying to steal the topic but my dcks love doing those and seem to keep their attention more than most activities. But the ones I have are getting old.

I would like to know as well!!

[Controlled Chaos]

I am a big believer in rotating toys in and out monthly. It keeps things fresh and all toys get more play time, which means the children are learning to play in different ways.

I have a 1, 3 and 5yo of my own. For Christmas we always give them their own box of new art supplies. Special glitter glue, markers, paper, fun scissor, stickers etc. Stuff that is mostly disposable, and special compared to typical daycare art supplies.

Science kits are big in our house. As well as necessary stuff for their rooms, DS is getting a big boy bed from Santa, and my 2 DDs are getting a book shelf and lamp for their rooms. santa is super practical at our house
Our kids always get one special book from us too.

[Unregistered]

Doll houses/furniture-not the Little People House. Fisher Price bigger more realistic

Duplos blocks/play scenes especially the sets with people, and items like furniture, vehicles, pictures...I have a Duplo hospital, western set, as well as people, etc. and a laundry basket full of regular Duplos

Wooden puzzles-the interlocking ones.

Wall sized chalkboard

Sensory table

Dolls, strollers, kitchen

Hot Wheel cars and FP car ramp

Playdoh

Nice blocks, rubber animals of all kinds to go with blocks

I know kids play differently at day care than with their own toys

[Unregistered]

Oh, also Dr. Kit and an old (20 yr) FPrice train set. I rotate too.