Simplifying toys....what are the essentials?

bagpussbear

Jigsaws, plasticine, colouring books/pens, lego/building blocks I'd say.

chatterup

My mom babysits my niece so she comes over quite often, This is what we have at home:
A baby Doll
A stuffed animal
A phone (you can use a phone that doesn't work anymore instead of buying one)
A toy hair set (Blowdryer, Comb, hair curler (She loves this!)
A Lego Set
Lots of Books
Toy That Plays Music or just the Radio if fine(we dance around to the music)
Toy Car (that moves when you Press it down, we Always Play around in the kitchen, she loves it!)
Stuffed Ball or other types of balls (We always play catch)

pigpen

Mine barely played with anything.

bath ducks
duplo (they barely touched the lego)
the girls like the teapot and mugs.
Fisherprice castle has been played to death.
little tikes pirate ship.. played with using the bath ducks.
Wooden blocks
Dressing up stuff.. inc shoes, wings, wands.. boys too.
Books galore.

the toddlers love their leappad explorers.. they cost me a fortune in batteries but they rarely play with anything else.

Ball and hula hoop

Empty cardboard boxes (any) and tubes (loo rolls and pringles)

That is it I think.

Oh the 20 month old has a couple of Christmas decorations she loves.. a dancing sing dog and a reindeer.. loopy child.

DS1 liked cars but none of the others touched them.

fluffymuffy

sandpit (with lid) and a plastic spade

PinkLipgloss

sensory play is really important for preschoolers, examples include:

playdough (you can make this together at home)
playdough cutters/rollers etc (sets available in pound shops)
sand/water tables (can make these yourself using cheap plastic storage containers)
sand/water toys (available in pound shops, or use cooking utensils)
gloop (make yourself)
cornstarch and water play (kids LOVE this!)
shaving foam play (place on trays and make pictures etc)
cook spaghetti with a little oil and food colouring
collect shells/stones and then paint or colour with pens at home
tear newspapers into strips and dip into water then mould various shapes
paper mache
add some sand to paint for "sand painting"
add food colouring to condensed milk and paint rainbows (the "paint" dries to form a shiny texture)
add food colouring to ice for "ice painting"
add food colouring to rice and put in trays for sensory play


environmental learning is really important for all ages. Take children out and about - examples include:
get some seeds from the pound shop and plant them together, look after them and watch them grow
go on "bug hunts"
observe tadpoles changing into "froglets"
observe changes in trees and flowers at various times of the year (perhaps even photograph for comparison purposes)
make a bird house using recycled materials
collect leaves/flowers to make a collage

Toys to support environmental learning include: magnifying glass, binoculars, nets, non-fiction books, insect catching containers, scrap book.

Don't forget toys to promote gross motor control, examples include:

hula hoops
cars (the type you control by sitting on them and dragging your legs)
tricycles
balance bikes
scooters (3 wheeled / 2 wheeled versions available)
trampoline (preferably with net for safety)
slide
seesaw
roller skates
skateboard