Random toy buying WDYD

[fivi2]

If you know your kids like a certain toy, do you then purchase similar toys or do you add on to the existing toy they like? (for the next gift giving event)

For example, my girls have and love duplos and unit blocks. So for the next gift do I add on more duplo sets and cool architectural unit blocks, or do I expand into tinker toys, Kapla blocks, or other building toys? They are all different - but I can't buy them everything!

How do you approach it - add to existing toys or buy something similar (but different!)?

[Piglet]

I add - I am not a fan of many different types of toys from a storage perspective so I aim for things that will store easily and that means I just buy more of the same.

[egoldber]

If it were me, with the benefit of hindsight ;), I would expand on existing vs branching out into new. It extends the life of the old toy because adding new "stuff" makes it seem new again and is easier to store.

[Melaine]

So far, I try to stick with one thing at a time. Right now Citiblocs are a big hit, so I'm avoiding Duplo or Lincoln logs....but I am adding other wood blocks that are, obviously, compatible.

But, ugh, I have a toy headache right now because of buying that huge doll house. I've GOT TO PURGE.

[fivi2]

Okay, that is what I was thinking...

I really need to stop clicking on threads that talk about cool toys. Melaine - your citiblock pictures plus that superstruct/zoob thread is what brought this philosophical crisis on in the first place ;) eta: and I know about the need to purge - I have a wooden kitchen sitting in my entry that I keep meaning to post on craigslist...

[hillview]

I agree I stick with the one thing. So we have duplos, magnatiles and (new) regular legos for DS1. No mega blocks, tinkertoys, blowkus (or whatever they are called). I have some unit blocks but they are not hits and didn't add on.
/hillary

[Melaine]

Okay, that is what I was thinking...

I really need to stop clicking on threads that talk about cool toys. Melaine - your citiblock pictures plus that superstruct/zoob thread is what brought this philosophical crisis on in the first place ;) eta: and I know about the need to purge - I have a wooden kitchen sitting in my entry that I keep meaning to post on craigslist...

:ROTFLMAO:I am always having some kind of toy philosophical crisis or another....sorry to bring it on others

[vonfirmath]

I agree I stick with the one thing. So we have duplos, magnatiles and (new) regular legos for DS1. No mega blocks, tinkertoys, blowkus (or whatever they are called). I have some unit blocks but they are not hits and didn't add on.
/hillary

sigh. My son plays LOTS with blocks and unit blocks when we go elsewhere. But they are not hits at home either.

[kristac]

sigh. My son plays LOTS with blocks and unit blocks when we go elsewhere. But they are not hits at home either.

Maybe try changing the location they are stored? I sometimes find certain toys get more love in some rooms then others. Magnatiles get more love in the train room then the living room for example. Also are they playing with them in a certain way at other places - like building roads for cars or zoos for animals or houses for people??? are there accessories that would spark some creativity that you could pair with them? You could also try setting something up in the middle of the night and see if it sparks some play in the morning.


sorry for the hijack.

[Seitvonzu]

i'm going to "yeah that" to the PP about physically MOVING the location of a toy and seeing what happens. i do that from time to time and it really seems to work. i also "set up" toys alot... my DH gets in on this action too and will dress stuffed animals in crazy outfits or put them in little block houses, etc.

my kiddo is 2.5 and we already have way too much and too different, and for the future, andandand... i like having all the variety, but i think that's more for me that lucy. we have all sorts of blocks, and i like to the think they are compatible, but maybe sticking to one thing would have been better? hrm. too late. ;)