Home is where the heart is, and for many of us in the grown-up world, it’s where most things are! Ours Home environment It perfectly shapes the way we live today (especially as a homeschool family). I try to have a calm space that meets my child’s creative needs, outlets for creative play, exercise and learning…
It’s a big challenge.
In many ways, homeschooling sometimes seems like the opposite of a low-key lifestyle. After all, we are trying to fit a room in our house!
Whether you homeschool or not, I’m sure all of us adults have struggled with the idea that our children need material “stuff” from us to be happy. And I have no doubt that the same things can make us sad later when we break toys and shove things into the closet when company passes by.
There has to be an easier, better way… right?
The best children’s toys that are small and low-cost
The “right way” can vary wildly for each family and in different life stages. Preschoolers have more pretend play needs than 1-year-olds or 10-year-olds. And even if your home doesn’t have tight space restrictions, less is more often.
Here are a few basic guidelines that helped our family embrace them. A healthy minimum. (After some trial and error) I figured out what was important and what we could do without.
1. My own less
I love the classic “Dear Abby” advice:
If you want your kids to do well, spend twice as much time and half the money with them.
That sounds like good advice, but if we don’t practice saying “no” to ourselves and our children, it can be painful in practice. We all say we want a simpler life, but when it comes to that look of joy on their faces when we say “yes”… how can we resist?!
I already wrote how much. More things The modern family has more than our grandparents did two generations ago. Video games, remote control cars, and plastic toys with noises and flashing lights replaced simple toys.
And when it comes to our children, it will be shocking.
- In the developed world, the average child has over 70 toys, but plays with… wait for it… only 12!
- The average American parent spends $317 a year on new toys for one child. Imagine that repeating itself year after year for a family with many children.
- Only 3% of the world’s children live in the US, but over 40% of the world owns toys!
These are wonderful reasons to reevaluate what our children really need to be happy. Chances are, theirs Great childhood memories It does not spin on things. Family habits won’t change until we believe that buying more stuff doesn’t make us or our kids happy.
2. Limit the toys (and kids will have more fun)
i love Montessori principles And they’ve had a lot of success setting up little game “stations” in our homes. These can be adapted to different ages and abilities. When my kids were younger, the 3-year-old could easily play with her toy tray and clean herself (with a little encouragement from mom!). Older siblings, from my 4-year-old to my 12-year-old son, were able to take responsibility for their own play areas as well.
A home cannot look or function exactly like a Montessori classroom. However, the basic Montessori idea of ”freedom within limits” certainly comes through in our daily lives at home. We limit the freedom a young child can have to prepare them for success, increasing their independence (and responsibility) as they age.
There are countless ways to organize toys. Taking out children’s toys and leaving them separate gives more freedom and choice.
This does not mean removing all their toys. It might mean limiting them to a certain number or room, or occasionally moving small toys in and out.
Physical limits, such as a closet or box, help us know when it’s time to rotate toys or clean them up. Small children can each keep their own toy box and what fits inside. This will help them to have the freedom to choose what they want within the limits of reasonable space. For a 2-year-old, items such as baby toys or toddler toys can easily fit in a basket or two.
3. Post low-clutter toys
I prefer my children’s entertainment to come from the great outdoors (think climbing trees, running, building forts, etc.). Inside, I encourage them to use things I have around the house and use them for another purpose or skill. Like cooking/baking, an indoor obstacle course with sofa cushions or old clothes for dressing up.
I’m sure most of us moms have come up with some creative ways to keep A An inquisitive infant is busy Nothing but a pot, some kitchen utensils and some water.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t room in the home, especially for toys that encourage physical activity, fine motor skills, and problem solving.
4. Make shopping choices carefully
Before you bring home a toy, be very selective, even if it’s a dollar at a garage sale. Liat Hughes Joshi is the author of the book Raising children: the early yearsThere are three main factors that will help you decide whether a toy purchase is worth it.
These are things to remember for Christmas, birthdays, or during Amazon’s Black Friday sales! Before you buy a toy, ask yourself…
Can my child use this with other children? (social value)
Can more than one child use this toy at the same time? If so, at what ages? Does this toy encourage active play and sharing? Good examples of toys that can be used for this purpose would be a doll house, a board game or a kitchen with play food.
How quickly do you get tired of this toy? (versatility)
How creative does this toy allow my child to be? Is it designed for one purpose or can it be used in many ways? how many are
Open-ended toys such as Lego sets, Lincoln Logs, magna tiles or silk slips allow children to replicate them in creative ways as they grow. Rather than another stuffed animal or toy car, these will be staples around your home.
Is it sustainable? What materials is it made of and which parts can break?
Although it may mean spending more at first, having a few well-chosen quality items will always beat the plastic waste.
Less cleaning for you, Less waste for the environment And when it comes time to clean up, it results in a higher resale value… It goes on to give another child joy. There are entire groups on Facebook just for wooden toys!
So which toys are the best? I have some ideas! These make great gift ideas if you need some ideas for family members at Christmas and birthdays. Some of them are too small for merchandise.
The ultimate kids toys!
Here are some low clutter toys that have stood the test of time. I have deliberately tried to keep the list short and to the essentials. See my other articles on The best natural toys And The ultimate gift guide Toy suggestions for better quality! These include great gift ideas for a wide range of ages, from babies to 9 years old and up.
I’m a fan of creative options like log toys and cooperative/learning options like a new card game. These great toys made the list!
The best children’s toys to encourage creativity
Cooperative toys
Active or outdoor toys
Comfort toys
I really enjoyed this podcast interview Cass from Clutterbug How to organize with children. See how to do it for more resources Organize the house (For us busy moms!) Or This interview I did with Josh Baker on how to reduce stress and anxiety.
What toys have stood the test of time for you? What toys say “no”? Please share below!
