When thinking about toys for the boys each year I always consider four things: 1. What did they ask for?, 2. What will keep them entertained for more than five minutes?, 3. What will hold up through the play of two boys?, and 4. What will encourage them to learn and connect with their interests? While J still isn’t “asking” for things, A definitely has a list this year. We always make sure to explain to A that he will not get everything on his list and he will get surprises as well. With that in mind I am sharing some of my favorites for gifts for the boys. Some of these we already have, some of them we are getting the boys for Christmas, and some of them we are saving for J’s upcoming birthday. Enjoy!
1. A little wooden fire truck set that looks as cute sitting on their dresser as it is functional in imaginative play.
2. A castle that A got when he was three and loves so much that we are buying J the updated version for Christmas so he will have one of his own. This castle is used to play with ninja turtles, Gi Joes, the imaginext men it came with, and lego people. It seriously is one of the very best toys we have ever purchased.
3. A beginning train track set. The investment of a wooden train set is always worthwhile. They will last through all of your kids and then you can box it up and save it for grand kids.
4. I received a bed tent (I believe it was care bears) when I was around four or five and I pretty much thought it was the best thing ever. A tent is like your own little room within your room. It’s a reading nook, a place for stuffed animals to live, a place to hide when playing hide and seek. Which is the reason both boys have one.
5. A drum set with rubberized heads so it is not crazy loud, but still lets them play.
6. A bucket of Legos. Don’t get me wrong both boys are getting Lego sets this year and A is a bit obsessed with collecting different Lego sets. However, my favorite things are what he makes with all of his extra Legos (for example, he has made a complete collection of Mario battleships based on the game).
7. Monster building blocks, because not only are they silly they have a great design that encourages unique construction. And you can’t knock basic building blocks.
8. Books that encourage them to explore, to imagine, and to laugh.