Our Top Seven Open-Ended Toys that Have Been Worth the Investment

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We have bought many toys for our kids over the years, but some have stood the test of time and continue to be used almost daily. Read on for a list of our top seven most-used toys that are definitely worth investing in.

When buying toys for children, it is very easy to get carried away and buy every single thing we see other families using on social media. It has become so easy to shop that we sometimes do it mindlessly, without thinking about whether our children really need them.

WIth open-ended toys it can be quite hit and miss, I’ve realised. We may think that our children will love a toy, only for them to use it once and never touch it again. The following are the toys that my children have used the most, and will probably continue to use in the years to come.

Building Blocks

Building blocks are one of the best open-ended toys around since they can be used in so many ways. We have used them to build ships, car parks, cities, and so much more. We particularly love the Grimms Large Stepped Pyramid for several reasons. Not only is it beautiful to look at and extremely sturdy, it has also been very cleverly designed. The blocks relate to each other in size mathematically, so kids don’t even realise that they’re internalising mathematical concepts while playing and when putting the blocks away.

Ryaan got this set as a birthday present when he was two years old. He turns five soon and still plays with them a lot, and our daughter Dayna (14 months old) loves joining in when he plays with them too. It has been one toy that has not been rotated out since he got it.

The only downside of these blocks is that they can be quite expensive, but in my opinion, they’re definitely worth the investment. There are also many other sets of building blocks available to suit every budget.

Magnetic Tiles

Magnetic tiles and blocks may (in my opinion) be taking over from Lego as the new favourite in building toys. Their magnetic element seems to attract young children and make it easier for them to explore and try different combinations. We have a set of MagnaTiles that Ryaan has been building with since he was two. Being a transport-obsessed child, he particularly loves the Cars 2-piece expansion set.

We had a small set of magnetic tiles (from a different brand) prior to these which were more flimsy and didn’t connect and match very well, so we ended up switching to MagnaTiles and couldn’t be happier. If your child is very interested in building then I definitely recommend getting a bigger set so there are enough pieces to build more substantial constructions.

Trains and Train Tracks

Our set of train tracks is so well-loved that we have bought many extensions to make our tracks more interesting. We started with a BRIO My First Railway Battery Operated Train Set, and have since added more tracks and connectors and bridges.

I love the Brio tracks because they are so sturdy and connect really well to each other. Initially, Ryaan needed our help to build tracks but he has gotten so good at it that he makes complicated tracks and full cities without our help. The image below shows a city he constructed completely on his own.

A great alternative, we realised later, is the IKEA Lillabo train set. It is more affordable but equally sturdy and beautiful. The tracks connect perfectly with the Brio tracks, so are a great way to build up your track collection without breaking the bank. We have a mixture of Brio and IKEA tracks and have never had any issues.

Wobbel Board

We LOVE the Wobbel board, like seriously. It has been used as a rocker, a bridge, a tunnel, a ramp, a stool and even as a tool for painting. It is a beautiful addition to any playroom, and I find it particularly great for gross motor movement if you live in an apartment with no outdoor space.

The only thing I don’t love is that the felt backing attracts a lot of dust and hair that is nearly impossible to get out.

Play Silks

We have a set of pastel-coloured play silks which are used for all kinds of play. I began using them in small playscapes to model different ways to use them. Since then, the play silks have been used as tents, capes, rivers, grass, beaches, blankets, and even boats! They are a must when we have dance parties too (we did a lot of those during lockdown).

Sarah’s Silks are absolutely beautiful, pure silk and the perfect size for all kinds of imaginative play.

Lego

These classic building blocks do not need any introduction.

We still primarily use Lego Duplo in our home, but Ryaan has a few sets of the regular smaller-sized Lego that he is beginning to construct with. It is getting harder and harder to find these days, but I prefer to get the classic open-ended Lego blocks that aren’t themed.

Animal Figures

Animal figures are so useful to have at home. Most children love playing with and learning about animals, and this is a great way to introduce them. I would make small treasure baskets of animals for Ryaan to introduce them to him. It progressed into matching them to cards and we even take them with us on trips to the zoo.

I particularly love the Schleich animals since they are life-like replicas of real animals. This is a classic example of a toy where getting a wooden toy isn’t necessarily more Montessori-friendly. In Montessori there is a huge emphasis on basing things in reality, and the Schleich animals are the most realistic replicas around.

I hope this list has inspired you if you’re looking for your child’s next birthday or Christmas present, or simply an addition to their playroom.