A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Jun 9 2009

Toys, toys, toys

Category: Just Me

Seeing the holiday toy commercials this year, I know I'm done with expensive toys. Nathan and Lucie are getting books, board games, and clothing instead.

Besides being tired of brightly colored plastic monstrosities taking over my home, I know my kids rarely play with these kinds of toys. (An exception is when they're at other people's homes, where they can't get enough of brightly colored, plastic, battery powered toys.) The several hundred dollars worth of Thomas the Tank engine train tracks and cars sit in a large plastic bin in my living room. Three years after buying him the set, Nathan has yet to build a track on his own. In fact, it's gotten more use from friends coming over or Paul setting it up. It's just a matter of time before I list it on eBay.

I'm tired of the toy companies promising that their expensive, electronic toys will teach your kids their colors, numbers, or letters, too. Believe me, I used to think that the toys would do it all for you. My kids have learned from inexpensive card games like UNO or books much more than educational, electronic gadgets. In reality, parents need to play games and do activities with their kids so they learn.

Also, there's something to be said for the theory that the more expensive the toy, the less time kids spend with it. Lately my kids have more fun playing with boxes, bubble wrap, paper, stickers, and crayons than anything else. Plastic dishes, funny hats, and thrift store finery have been a big hit, too, along with toys coming from fast food meals.

But their favorite toy costs under a dollar. Nathan and Lucie received it as a gag gift at a birthday party. It's a jar of neon colored plastic goo. When you stick your fingers into it, it produces loud flatulence sounds. Both kids break into a fit of giggles when it "farts." It's been so popular, that Nathan and Lucie showed it to Miss Mary, Nathan's speech therapist. Luckily she has two almost grown boys, and can relate to potty humor.

So don't be surprised when I tell you Santa will be bringing the kids whoopee cushions this year. Santa's no dummy. He knows my kids love that kind of stuff.