2010: Ten Toys for Little Boys

I have three boys. Enough said.

If you have boys, you know what I mean...they are rowdy, active, and full of endless energy. Freezing winter and rain are cruel to them. Boys should live on a planet where it's always warm and never dark, that way they would never have an excuse for not getting all their wiggles out.

I miss Summer. Enough said.

Over the last few months I've reevaluated the types of toys I want my boys to play with [...for the most part]. I haven't gotten rid of many, but I'm being more careful about the ones I'm buying. Not only did the Georgi boys go to The School for Destruction and Demolition [majoring in Product Testing], but they've got a license in "Show me a toy and I'll show you I can break it". Nation did actually tell me that this week, he's proud, he's [unfortunately] prideful about his [and his brothers] ability to make us break the bank with things like...um, our 6th baby gate in 4 months.

I know what you're thinking, YOU NEED TO DISCIPLINE THEM MORE, oh believe me I do, I do, but this brings me to my next thought...

I miss my backyard. Enough said.

Since, for the most part, we're to be confined inside most days during this season I'm trying to get creative and make the most of our playtime. Several pounds of Moon Sand arrived today, more on that later. So, "Why?" you ask, am I choosing the toys I've chosen below?

a. we don't have a lot of room for large non-educational toys

b. we already have some hand-me-down toys from older brother Nation

c. we're homeschooling [if Pre-K counts] so I want playtime to always be equaling learning time too

d. I believe that using creativity & building is equally as important [if not more] than drilling facts and figures

Without further ado, here is my list of The 2010 Ten Toys for Little Boys. I'm of course skipping some of the obvious things you might already have like legos, trains, balls, and hot wheels, etc.

Oh and for those of you...most of you...who are already done shopping, good for you, I haven't started yet, but I might after making this list. So, maybe you can use this next year for buying for a little boys birthday instead.

Amazon two day free shipping for moms makes it too tempting to delay.

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2010 
Ten Toys for Little Boys

Yookidoo Flow "N" Fill Spout

Because bath time has never been so fun! [or less on your water bill]

Tinkertoy Classic Jumbo Set

Nation has played with this set the most this year,
not to mention created the most amazing contraptions. 

Automoblox Mini Pack

They are non-toxic, high quality wooden mix and match + build your own cars. Fun to trade and collect with all their other sets. It's like the Dinosaur Train Show theory, combining two of boys loves in one. This combine cars+construction.

Kid-O Bilibo

If anything out there fosters endless imaginations it's this. I know what you're thinking...what does that do. Well, just about anything. It's not limited to being able to be sat on or in. It can be filled, float, worn, and used with other toys. If you buy two, double the fun. Click here to watch a video. And, bonus, they make Bilibo minis now.

Globonz

Again, here we have two of boys loves, dinosaurs and construction. Shh, Don't tell them they are learning science too. But do tell them they glow in the dark.

Melissa & Doug 

60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks

It's not so much that I'm a "green" parent, as it is that I love wooden toys. I just feel like in the last [almost] 5 years they have held up better than our plastic toys. Especially with the "Destruction Graduates". This, next to the Tinker Toys is probably Nation's second favorite toy he's played with this year. As I've said before, Amazon, easily, has these $15 less than most stores, plus grab that free shipping! They weight 20 lbs so it's always their loss...not yours.

Remo Kids Drum

This drum has won awards for it's quality...I'm prepared to give it a try at our house. I don't love loud noise, but I do love to encourage music and I'm pretty sure I've already got at least one future drummer. This, just doesn't even begin to compare to plastic drums that sing songs.

Zolo Zolo-a-Go-Go

Now, this is plastic, but it's so creative I'm willing to try it. My boys have played with this once before and I've thought about it ever since. I can't wait to see what they create.

Train Conductor Costume

This is pricey [but I've seen it for half this price or less at Toysrus], plus it isn't just the outfit...it come with lots of accessories. It's not just girls that play "dress up", part of creative learning is role playing. How better to play pretend train conductor than dress like him? My boys love to wear costumes and dress up.

Melissa & Doug Grill Set

I didn't mean to have two Melissa & Doug products, but frankly, I could have made all 10 on my list by them. I-JUST-LOVE-THEM. Their stuff is high quality, educational, well priced, and my kids always really enjoy everything by them. Again, girls aren't the only ones who play with pretend food. They play with their products like blocks [stacking and sorting] as well as pretend to cook for themselves and me. Knife cutting is great eye-hand coordination practice too. I also like that I can find items like this, a little boys own grill set, at TJ Max for $5-10. Not a week goes by they don't carry random M&D products. 

Keep your eye out! 

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Before parting, please don't be persuaded that boys need all trendy and expensive toys. By all means they can learn with right-in-your-house kinda stuff or make it yourself things made out of items like...

cardboard boxes, mason jars, and branches.

Merry Christmas.