In my last posting I wrote about the pleasure a child can still derive from the least expensive of toys, the Balsa Wood plane. I decided to come up with a list of the top toys based upon “Play Power,” the greatest amount of joy you can get out of a toy for the least amount of money. I used this formula: Play Power (PP) = Joy + Durability / Cost. Here is the list:
- Rubber Ball
- Jump Ropes
- Jack Rocks
- Yoyo
- Magic Slate
- Cap Bomb
- 8 ct. Crayons and color book
- Water Balloon
- Toy Parachute
- Balsa Wood Airplane
Here are some more that did not make my list:
Caps
Party Poppers
Party Snaps
Finger Traps
Kite
What toys are on your list?
How about:
Stickers/Sticker book
Card games
Board games
Magnets
Calculator
Chalk
Wooden blocks
and Giant cardboard boxes (not really a gift, but watch out when you give these to young children... their imaginations go WILD!)
Posted by: Jcagley | October 17, 2011 at 03:42 PM
I'm surprised you didn't include any wooden blocks ! They're the foundation and all time landmark of PLAY POWER !
Posted by: Marjorieli | October 18, 2011 at 02:16 AM
How about sticks, sand, water and paper?
Posted by: Jennifer Ward | October 18, 2011 at 06:02 AM
Etch-a-sketch
Lincoln Logs
bulk Legos (not kits)
Frisbee
football or soccer ball
popsicle sticks and glue
balloon
Yahtzee
sidewalk chalk
army men
Posted by: Dan Limbach | October 18, 2011 at 08:06 AM
BUBBLES!
Posted by: Kathy Hawk | October 18, 2011 at 09:07 AM
As an inventor of a new children's board game, Lunch Box (which makes fitness fun and engaging). I can't agree more with the lists above. Being bias to educational toys... I have found board games to be a perfect gift for children parties. Especially those that require little to no set up time or lengthy instructions! My children love Sorry, Clue and Connect 4 (old school :)
These old school toys teach many of the multiple intelligences!
Sincerely,
Liz Northcutt
Inventor of the Patent Pending Lunch Box Board Game
www.playlunchbox.com
Richard you can filter this and not include my website as I am not trying to plug my invention here.... just wanting you to know that I am a real toy enthusiast!
Posted by: Liz Northcutt | October 20, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Don't count out a plain deck of cards. They can make houses of cards, play basic games like Crazy 8s, Old Maid and many other standards. After all, a game is simply a toy that requires a little more thought:) No rules required.
Posted by: Dana Campagna Lanham | October 21, 2011 at 03:22 PM
What are "jack rocks"?
How about baby dolls, toy cars, post-it notes, simple dress-up (e.g., scarves), basic craft supplies (e.g., construction paper, scissors, glue), marbles, stacking plastic cups, jigsaw puzzles?
Posted by: TS | November 1, 2011 at 01:45 PM