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« Music History and Notebooking for The Birds - SQUILT Lesson #10 | Main | Giving Anchors to Your Children »
Tuesday
May142013

10 Best Toys For Little Boys

 

There's just something about little boys and their toys that is wonderful.

The organization, imagination, and creativity that goes into my little boy's playtime is astounding. 

Now that my son in 8 years old, he's been through a few "stages" of toys. As I look back, however, it's just been a few toys he's loved and focused on in his life. 

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

His favorite toys (you know - the ones you will never give away or sell at your garage sale!) have some things in common:

  • They aren't electronic.
  • Most of them involve BUILDING of some sort.
  • All of them lend themselves to imaginative play.
  • They transport my son into another world.
  • Several of them make good "collections".

This Top Ten List will take you through those toys, and Grant has rankd them from his "least" favorite (if there is such things as "least"!) to most favorite.

 

10. Erector Set

We have the  basic Erector building set for ages 8-88.  This toy stands the test of time and inspires my young builder. It's also something he and my husband love to do together.  (My son's granddaddy gave this to him for Christmas and told him HE played with Erector sets when he was a boy.)

Earlier this year Grant made a Medieval Catapult to go along with our history studies!

9. Magneatos

These are great from toddlers all the way up to elementary school children. The magnetic balls, rods, and curves, lend themselves to HOURS of imaginative play.

Grant received for Christmas when he was three, and they still are kept in a bin in his bookshelf and are played with often. 

8. CARS

I'm not talking about just any old cars - I mean all the characters from the movie CARS. 

 

Grant's collection of these is extensive, and the story behind that is quite funny.

I potty trained Grant thanks to Lightning McQueen. Lightning (a.k.a. my sister-in-law) would call Grant when he reached a potty training milestone. Lightining encouraged Grant to be a big boy and use the potty. 

I shamelessly rewarded my son with Cars for almost every milestone between his second and sixth birthdays. He has nearly 100 Cars and plays with them on a daily basis.  (We have all of the die cast cars, not the cheap plastic ones they make now.  Maybe Grant can go to college from the proceeds of these!)

He was inspired to read with all of the I Can Read Cars books. 

No joke. 

He knows all of the CARS by name. He used to watch the movie, line up all the cars in front of the television, and bring them out in the exact order they would appear in the movie. 

We thought his obsession with Cars would last forever (until he fell in love with toy #1 on this list!).

7. Lincoln Logs

Handed down to us when my oldest was a baby, this a favorite for both of my kids.

These are particularly great when you're studying American history.

OK. They're just great any time, aren't they?

6. Little People

The Little People still make an appearance every now and then in my son's play time. 

His favorite was always the tractor and Noah's Ark. These toys will be saved for HIS children. 

5. NERF Guns

What's not to love about NERF wars? My son has one of the HUGE NERF Guns with a bandolier for his darts. He also has a new fangled disc shooter that provides hours of fun. 

I ordered targets and they tape them up on the fence. Easy entertainment! {It's math, too - I make Grant add up his scores!}

4. Lightsabers

We go through phases with these. They usually get played with a lot after Grant has been sick and has been watching Star Wars movies all day! 

I know I'm his mom, but I think he has some serious skills with these things. Maybe one day he'll get to go to the Jedi Training Academy!

3.  Amaze 'N' Marbles

This building toy has seen hours and hours of play with both of my children.

 

The amount of concentration, thought, and planning that goes into building with these wood blocks is invaluable. 

If you have a little boy in your life, you must be sure he has this toy.

2. Basic Wood Building Blocks

I have collected three sets of building blocks over the years. We keep them in a large crate and pull them out weekly for creative play. 

Again, if you have a little boy (or a little girl, for that matter!) I think some basic wood building blocks are the best investment you can make. 

 

.... and the #1 toy for little boys (according to my son, Grant) is (did you have doubt?) LEGO bricks!

 

1. LEGO Bricks

Of course LEGO Bricks are the #1 choice in our home.

Visit my LEGO Learning page to see why we love them so much. Download printables, view our favorite resources, and explore the world that is LEGO.

As a mom, I have some favorite LEGO items. 

LEGO Architecture Sets - Amazon often has these on sale, and they are a GOOD deal.

LEGO Education® StoryStarter - Simply amazing for creativity and writing!

 

The LEGO Calendar  - a HUGE favorite in our house. Need I say more?

LEGO Creationary - a totally fun LEGO game!

LEGO Education® Simple & Motorized Mechanisms - provides HOURS of learning opportunities

 

What are YOUR favorite toys for little boys? 

 

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Reader Comments (188)

Love your blog! Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement every day. Yea for learning and yea for Legos!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterSusan

legos and lightsabers are his favorites. He got lego lightsabers in his easter basket and was thrilled.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterBecky

My son ans daughter love LEGOS!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterDawn T

My boys' favorite toys are Legos and train sets.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterModern Mia Gardening

I love your blog. What a fantastic giveaway. My little boy's favorite toy is counting bears. My daughter's favorite toy is Legos.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterHolly

My son's favorite toys are his trucks! He loves any kind that can load other trucks, the truck that he loaded up, or any kind of tow truck!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterStacey

My son's favorite toys are his trucks! He loves any kind that can load other trucks, the truck that he loaded up, or any kind of tow truck!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterStacey

We would LOVE to win this prize! Lego's are so expensive, but extremely fun, no matter how old you are! Thanks for this!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterJay Richardson

Legos, Star Wars characters, and costumes. :)

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterShifra

Wow! You are spot on!! My son played with Thomas the train, building blocks, need, light sabers and now Legos. Love your site-- thanks for the chance!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa King

My son loves all the above and is crazy for legos!!! What a blessing it would be to win!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCindy D.

My boys love LEGOs! I've gott sneak a peek at your LEGOs learning posts! Thanks for offering the giveaway!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterTricia

My boys love Legos and K'nex!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAmyC

Legos are a fav too!

My son is only 3, so his favorite toy rotates between his tractor, his Buzz Lightyear, his race car and his Legos :)!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterPaige

my son's favorite toy right now is his cars and trains, he sets them all up and watches them zoom down the tracks, at almost 3, it is humorous to watch him play.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered Commentersarah

My two youngest sons LOVE Lego's! When they can't focus on anything else, Lego's get them every time!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterBecky

My sons love legos. The more, the merrier.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterJulia

My 3 year old is very into Transformers - specifically Rescue Bots. He has almost the entire collection! His favorite is Bumblebee.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAadel

LEGO bricks are the #1 creative toy in our house as well. Since we have a small fortune invested in them, they will be saved for he grand kids!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCasey

My 3 sons who are 8,3, and 2 like to build with many things.... legos, blocks, boxes, cups, tupperware.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAblessedmama

My son is obsessed with Legos! Every time he prays he ends it with "and thank you for my "x amount of" Lego sets! We'd love to win!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterwani

Although I don't have any little boys, my nephew (and his sisters) love Legos!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAmy G.

LEGO's and Playmobile are the two top toys for both the girls and boys in our home. They also last forever! Thanks for the giveaway.

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterChristine

He has lots of things he loves, but LEGO bricks are definitely one of our favorites! Thanks for the chance to win!

May 14, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCara G

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