Toys that aren't so terribly crappy

I'm joining in on the WFMW request this week - sharing the toys that we have found to not be a complete waste of money and resources.

First and foremost, I think you should make as much as you can, using cheap or recycled materials. The crocheted animals I made for my kids last year are still some of their absolute favorites. I've made them their own clothing for their Webkin's. I'm sooooo not a seamstress, but I can use my sewing machine ... and then cover my tracks with hot glue, pins and elastic!

Why not make your very own memory game by hand or on your computer? Wouldn't it be more fun to match pictures of your family or your pets, instead of some cartoon character?

Don't go buying dress up clothes from the actual toy section. That's no fun. Head to the second hand store and buy actual scrubs and old dresses and suits. Turn an old brown house coat into a jedi cape. Turn an old white dress into a ninja costume, or a doctor's coat.

My youngest loves playing with her baby dolls, so last year I made her a baby sling out of an old t-shirt. I picked up some baby clothes for her dolls at the second hand store.

For your older kids, you can sneak some music or great stories onto their mp3 player or burn it onto a CD.

For your older girls, buy up scrapbook supplies at garage sales and wrap it all up in some fun tissue paper. Fill a bucket with sewing needles, thread, yarn, material scraps - whatever!

Are you seeing a theme here? Make things for your kids that are sustainable. Their creativity will never give out, so give them things that encourages them to think and create. Even if they put it aside for awhile, it will show up again on another day.

Now, here are two things that we have purchased (new and/or used), that I would recommend highly:

Blokus (the whole family can play - and it is such a fabulous brain game for my RADishes)

K'NEX! K'NEX! K'NEX!!! My mom found us about $4 million worth of K'NEX at a garage sale, for about ten bucks. I realize that you're not all lucky enough to have a chic like that in your life, but I will say that these toys get more use than anything else in our entire home. There have been many times that I come in to find my boys, and every one of their neighborhood friends building stuff all over our living room. The girls love it. It kicks Lego's butt! If you find them for cheap, BUY THEM!

Overall, if you can make it or reuse it, do it! It's good for everyone.