I don’t know about you but I HATE walking down the toy isles in stores. I know all the plastic is not healthy for my kids or the planet but the flashy, techno toys can suck just about any kid in. My 3 year old son for instance is all about robots these days. I am not quite sure how that happened but since Transformers (which he has not seen) is all the rage these days he cannot help but be over the moon for the robots he sees everywhere. Now he is the proud owner of a few robot toys.
But still I can’t help but look at all those flashy, plastic toys and want something better for my kids… something that won’t break a week later or get tossed in boredom. That is why I stopped taking my kids to stores with me so much and started stocking up on toys that will stand the test of time and get the creativity flowing. When one child is done with them they can be passed on to the next… Legos, wooden blocks, wood tinker toys, puzzles, etc. Toys that are American made are also a big bonus.
My two boys have been delighted lately with the American made toys from Down to Earth Toys, especially the Marble Run. It has provided hours of fun for both boys. It is new and exciting for my 3 year old who is enamoured with the marbles and giggles when they fall down the track. It is stimulating and never boring for my nearly 9 year old too. In fact my older son is spending the weekend with his grandparents and he packed two changes of clothes, his toothbrush, his Nintendo DS, and the marble run.
The blocks and marbles set is “old school” and yet still such a wonderful toy. It allows for hands on creativity as they can come up with hundreds of different ways to build their block towers. It used marbles, blocks, some holes, and some elemental physics to create good old fashioned fun for kids. It helps build spacial, sequential, and organizational skills and keeps kids intrigued for a long time. It is the prefect toy for my oldest boy who seems to love anything architectural. And this toy was designed by an architectural artist!
I would like to buy another set or two and see what they could come up with when they combine them… it would be an awesome site.
This is a non violent educational toy. No one is blown up for laughs and there are no toys guns as is so common in today’s toys. As the box says “Our best hope for a healthier, happier, world is in the quality of the learning environment we provide for our children today.” The maker is TEDCO and they have lots of other toys we are going to have to explore.
I highly recommend the marble run for green kids, just be careful with the marbles if you have kids smaller than three!! Enjoy!
I agree with you, the toys these days are pretty much useless. They don’t last and kids get bored after the first week (if it even lasts that long). You can never go wrong with the classics -balls, bats, blocks, Matchbox cars, Legos. I will check the Down to Earth site, that Blocks and Marbles toy you mentioned sounds like something my boys would like. Thank you.
ok, i want about 5 sets of those! awesome! my daughter would be in heaven.
a friend of mine makes robot stuffed toys on etsy -you might want to check it out: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7435184
What beautiful boys you have.
Aw, thank you!
I just blogged about my family’s marbles… my son loves them. Hours of fun from something so “old school”.
Nell
What are some reputable web store in which I can find natural open-ended toys? I start holiday/birthday shopping in August and would LOVE to have a eco-friendly, fun, holiday.
Thank you for the healthier, eco-friendly toy alternative. My son is only 7 months but already wants to explore everything and I’m wondering what kind of toys to buy him. Obviously, we have to wait a couple years before we get the marbles set. But I would rather buy something non-plastic and made in the USA than cheap, plastic stuff from China.
Hello from Germany,
That Marble Run is very beautiful. I am on the same opinion as you are and hate these plastic toys. There are some very nice shops in Germany where you can buy very good toys. If you like, you can read my blog, where I am writing about my daughter’s toys and a natural waldorf inspired life :-) It’s in German and English :-)
love,
Traumkraut
Ok, You have taken care of 3 Christmas gifts for my niece and 2 cousins. They will love it – their parents have each said they passed on the plastic version of this because it seemed so flimsy and frustrating for a 6, 5, and 4 year old.
I loved this toy growing up! Thanks for the reminder. I’ll add it to the list for when my girl gets older.