Comments on: How to Choose The Best Kids Toys (That Won’t Clutter Your Home)

By: Jai

Jai — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:09:08 +0000

Completely agree that open-ended toys last way longer than trendy ones! Instead of flashy, single-use toys, I’ve been leaning toward options that grow with my child. One of our favorites is Idori—their eco-friendly plushie and interactive activities encourage storytelling, creativity, and even some early eco-conscious learning!

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:01:08 +0000

I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions for non toxic dolls for my daughter. I have done extensive research trying to find a completely 100% non toxic doll and it seems they don’t exist (other than Apple Park organic baby dolls). She loves looking at the dolls in the stores with eyes that close and that look like her (not a stuffed animal) but I haven’t been able to find any that are completely non toxic (some use 100% organic cotton for the outer layer but then use highly toxic material to stuff the doll). So frustrating!!!! Any recommendations? Would love to hear from you. Thanks for all you do.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 03:47:56 +0000

I made some mermaid tail and shark blankets for my aunt to give to her grandkids last year for Christmas, and she says they still use them all the time.

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:54:18 +0000

In reply to Hannah.

I like these: https://wellnessmama.com/23984/natural-toys-for-kids/

By: Lesly McDevitt

Lesly McDevitt — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 15:33:28 +0000

I had similar requirements for my toy purchases, tho’ I called it “educational value” (which of course covers far more than just ‘academic’ value). But I included one other plastic toy (in addition to Legos) – Playmobile. I know they’re overpriced, and oh-my do they count as clutter, but my boys would spend hours with those little knights and pirates!

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 15:01:04 +0000

I am curious about baby age/developmentally specific toys. What are the most helpful/minimalist for different ages. We have a cloth crinkle book that has been a big hit and a silicone teether that has been essential for teething. Baby is now 10 months and I am looking for toys that will be usable for the longest time and help encourage developmental milestones. I don’t want to buy any of the talking/media toys.. they seem like a stimulation assault!

I do have a walk-behind walker, but have held off other than a set of wooden stacking rings. What other recommendations would you have?

By: Chasing Jupiter

Chasing Jupiter — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:29:37 +0000

I love this list! I only have two boys but as you said it easy to accumulate “stuff”. Over the past couple of years we have done a lot of purging. What remains is the wooden train set, Lego (a lot of Lego), art supplies, and books. I have a slight book addiction… but we have even applied the same logic to buying books. Is it something we will read more than once? Is it hard cover and good quality to last multiple kids? Would it be better to just get it at the library? Etc.

Thanks so much for this post! Such a good reminder of how good it will be for me to continue a life of “less.”

By: Kristy Tillman

Kristy Tillman — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 16:58:01 +0000

In reply to Kali. I love your post and have great respect for someone who raises their children that way!

By: Kaydee

Kaydee — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 05:52:08 +0000

Thank you for the great list. Our oldest daughter loves the art supplies, while the second daughter adores the toy kitchen and singing/playing music. For our son, I would have to say Legos, Citiblocks and recently Snap Circuits are where he spends his free time. A sandbox in the back yard has provided hours of fun for all.

I would add a musical instrument to the creativity category. Something simple like a lap harp, recorder, harmonica or ukulele. If they each play a different instrument, they can perform together.

For those with safe access to sidewalks or longer driveways, I would suggest a tricycle or bicycle. Our oldest was even able to hook a bike trailer up to her bike and haul her little brother around before he was old enough to peddle a trike well enough to keep up. It’s also allowed our family to explore nearby bike trails. In winter climates, I would also suggest a sled. Something to get them outdoors and moving!

We own an ipad, but we say no to most apps because we don’t want to encourage more screen time. (It’s useful for streaming piano lessons, etc.) Besides the lack of social interaction and creativity, it’s important for their eye health to focus further away and not on a close, fixed point for long periods. “Fad” toys are also out. With few exceptions, we limit toy purchases to birthdays and Christmas. If they want something at another time, they need to save up and buy it themselves.

By: Tammie

Tammie — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 18:16:33 +0000

In reply to Linda. I love this idea! My kids are older now but buying stuff at a thrift shop and repurposing is so much more sensible than buying crappy costumes that the kids wear one time. Smart thinking!

By: Kali

Kali — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 00:27:04 +0000

I homeschooled my children while traveling on the road, and living off of the land as we went. Because we traveled, we had very limited space. My children were each given a duffel bag, and were allowed to keep whatever toys would fit into it. These mostly were high quality stuffed puppets and stuffed animals that were to end up being the characters of what would we would come to call “stuffie world”.
These toys were literally the basis for a complete world they created, and would stay with them till the end of their pre teens. They would use whatever was around them at the time to create the stage for the world. Outdoors they used branches, rocks and debris to create buildings and cities. Indoors they would use tables, chairs, blankets, and other common household items to create their environments. Some of the world’s features included a restaurant and multidimensional inn. The restaurant was the kitchen of course, and the inn was where we lived.
We taught through this medium our homeschooling agenda, and they learned an incredible array of social skills in this way.
We tried our best however to limit the number of “toys” they possessed, instead replacing them with real life tools and items.
Toys are great to stimulate imagination, but tools are what children need to develop real life talents and skills. My husband was a carpenter by trade, and from a young age we would take them on job sites, and help them learn the trade. Because we lived off of the land, they were given pocket knives and Zippo lighters at the age of five, to prepare and light fires, process and cook food, etc. They were required to hunt for and gather wild food throughout the day, collect firewood, wash dishes, set up and take down camp, etc. They had so much to do and learn, and they were always kept busy, and were never bored.
They developed strong work ethics, and we’re proud to be giving to the general survival of our family. Children need real purpose and meaning, or they become bratty and unfulfilled.
Other gifts we would give them, were to teach them the importance of buying quality over quantity. For example we would only buy them high quality jewelry, such as real silver necklaces with spiritual significance in our family. Other gifts would include such things as essential oils, spiritual items, and things along the lines of their interests, such as art supplies.
Children for the most part, should be treated as any adult should, like a person. Ask yourself when buying something for a child if you would want it. We had a rule when buying anything, to ask these questions. Will I really use it? Is it’s worth of quality? Do I really need it? We never bought things like nic-nacs, or low quality items that would break easily. Real things help to make real children. Of course,one of the most important parts of buying for children isn’t the items themselves, but your participation in using the items with your children. Play with your children, work with your children, learn with your children. Toys are not just distractions to keep them out of your hair, they are social platforms for you to become closer, and teach them love and life skills.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 16:33:29 +0000

My son is 8 and has almost always played with his play kitchen stuff. He loves cooking real food, but also pretending to cook. He also got a stuffed Peter Pan at birth and they are best friends. 🙂 We are definitely working on passing on toys and getting rid of them. We found a little boy who wouldn’t have otherwise had toys for Christmas and he excitedly gave him his toys. A very special time! 🙂

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:47:51 +0000

We homeschool too, and we have a family of 10 in a relatively small house. Our dining room became the school room about 6 years ago, and much of our living room wall space is taken up with bookcases (12 grades = a lot of books!). We try to keep the toys in the family room so they don’t end up all over the house, although this doesn’t always work 🙂 Our favorites are a toy kitchen set, arts and crafts supplies, a train table, and the ever-popular cardboard boxes! Then there’s a trampoline and a swing set in the yard. Twice a year we clean everything out of the family room and get rid of anything broken or missing pieces, and give away anything that no one plays with anymore. The kids groan when I tell them it’s time to clean it, but I try to give them incentive by saying as soon as it’s clean, we can put up the Christmas decorations, and they love that.

By: Chelle H.

Chelle H. — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:11:56 +0000

Thanks for sharing your ideas & a small list! I’ve been wanting to pare down on toys for awhile, as I’ve noticed there are a handful of favorites while many of them are neglected, despite being liked.

I’m going to share this post with my family & fiance. We’ll see how much we’re truly able to turn our kids’ toys into the quality items vs. the what will soon be junk (but isn’t there yet). We’ve had to get rid if several garbage bags full of stuffed animals/dolls…and only one of those has been missed, so we plan on getting another one of better quality.

By: Lorean

Lorean — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 12:54:19 +0000

In reply to Rebecca. Magnatiles are key in our house/ homeschool too, especially for my 5 year old during quiet time!!

By: Cori

Cori — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:46:48 +0000

In reply to Rebecca. Those are so fun! They have them at our local play museum set up over "light boards" and the kids as well as my husband and I loved it! You could seriously just sit there forever and build.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 01:01:00 +0000

We have 3 kids (so far) 5 and under and our “rules” for toys seem to be very similar to yours (although we still have more plastic than Legos). We also just started homeschooling, so have the same issue with fitting a classroom into our home. I would add one more partially plastic toy to your list: MagnaTiles. Our kids love them! My 2 year old will spend a minimum of 1/2hr daily playing with them. Plus, they are good for school too 😉 I highly recommend investing in the high-quality MagnaTile brand name ones. This and/or other smaller or smiliar sets: https://www.amazon.com/Magna-Tiles-Clear-Colors-100-Piece/dp/B000CBSNRY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=761f38c8e6522191fca56237c50af2b3&language=en_US

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:29:16 +0000

I went to the local thrift store and bought a grocery bag full of dress up clothes including an evening gown, a lace curtain, a sport coat and a tie among them. They led to imaginative play for several years then became Halloween costumes.