Recent study shows kids do not need expensive toys!

**FiveInTheBed** · 11-09-2008 22:42

In a well observed study of children it has been concluded that people no longer need to buy children expensive plastic toys, as hours and hours of fun can be had with normal everyday house hold items...

....well that's what I 'the observer' have concluded about my kiddies...

Check out these...(give me a sec to see if this works

)

- pegs&pots

-pegs colour coded

-mums mags

-child labour

-artists

-paper shredding/recycling

-nature!

-eeeek...my roasting dish

-leap frog with plant pots.

I find my kiddies focus more and for longer when we do stuff like this...Yeh- the toys are overflowing the storage tubs, but they don't seem to hold their attention for as long.

Please share...or tell me I'm not the only one getting my kids to do the house work for me!!

**UmmInayah** · 11-09-2008 22:45

OMG that is SO adorable!!! They look like they are having SO much fun!

**Benji** · 11-09-2008 22:50

DS 'helps' me with most of the housework

That picture of your boy reading with the glasses on is adorable

**Lastcenturymum** · 11-09-2008 22:58

Brilliant thread and photos!! And some mums don't know how to entertain their kids *big grin* I would spend about 30 mins hanging out the washing with DD1 while she chose the pegs by colour and we counted them!

I remember asking my MIL what they did before lego and she said 'they just played in the saucepan cupboard'

I was glad I at least had a plastics cupboard!

Well done Calenjacksmum!!!

**Mum2Bug** · 11-09-2008 23:02

Recent study shows kids do not need expensive toys!

I agree....in Bugs case she just needs the boxes the toys come in

**FiveInTheBed** · 11-09-2008 23:11

Originally Posted by Lastcenturymum

I remember asking my MIL what they did before lego and she said 'they just played in the saucepan cupboard'

I was glad I at least had a plastics cupboard!

Well done Calenjacksmum!!!

....oh you mean like this...

-one of many fine examples of why I don't have a neat organised plastics cupboard!!

Oh and cheers for the well done!

**mummeeto2** · 11-09-2008 23:19

Alot of the toys my kids have are bought by others for presents etc. Then they (especially MIL) get all upset when the kids (mostly DS) have trashed the toy trying to create something else with it

Like the Leapfrog pad that became a surfboard (without the water) cos it made better sounds. DS's latest is putting a bucket in the back tray of his trike to make a cement mixer - complete with water, sand & gravel. The only thing he's missing is the cement mix

I think alot of these educational toys are taking away kids imaginations as they don't get the opportunity to create anything with them. They seem to be 'this is how it works & it's the only way" type of thing

**FiveInTheBed** · 11-09-2008 23:34

Originally Posted by mummeeto2

Alot of the toys my kids have are bought by others for presents etc. Then they (especially MIL) get all upset when the kids (mostly DS) have trashed the toy trying to create something else with it

Like the Leapfrog pad that became a surfboard (without the water) cos it made better sounds. DS's latest is putting a bucket in the back tray of his trike to make a cement mixer - complete with water, sand & gravel. The only thing he's missing is the cement mix

I think alot of these educational toys are taking away kids imaginations as they don't get the opportunity to create anything with them. They seem to be 'this is how it works & it's the only way" type of thing

I love the cement mixer idea!!!
I give my littlies some home made glue and the junk mail or old wrapping paper to go crazy with, they stick it all over old toilet rolls or cardboard that comes in packaging, cereal boxes etc. (don't have photos cause my hands are usually covered in goop!)

They also have a ball making imprints and 'fossils' with playdoh, they press their toy dinosaurs, blocks, shoes, oop no thats the telephone!....ummm pretty much everything - they love it (I love the clean up bit too

)

**kkaz** · 12-09-2008 09:19

They are just gorgeous!!

And look like they are having a blast!!

It takes more imagination to come up with your own "toys" than to buy them...Good on you!

**MummaFug** · 12-09-2008 09:36

Great thread !!

I remember having about 6 babies and Mummies over at my house one day and all DS's toys were spread around the room and you know what ..... The kids fought over the saucepan and wooden spoon

It is so true ... My DS also LOVES his plastic container and pegs ...