If you’re looking for toys that will actually get used, opened-ended toys are where it’s at. They do not serve a single purpose nor are they used in a fixed way. This is exactly why open-ended toys are a wonderful addition to your children’s collection. Children can explore in multiple ways based on their age, stage, and interest.

Building Materials

I’d say this is the type of open-ended toys we invest in most heavily. Building materials work well to create the settings upon which our children can create their pretend play.

Wooden Blocks

It’s a quintessential child’s toy. And for good reason. They open the door of possibility to countless creations. These are the toys I pick up if I am parallel playing with my kids. So fun.

We found a used set of the Grimms Blocks, sans fancy block organizer, and it’s the best. We’ve opted for this set for it’s durability. Blocks fall in crumbling structures and are sometimes thrown. These blocks stand up to the test. Most importantly, they are proportional, ranging from a 1 unit block to a 5 unit block.

This is an easy choice that transforms block play into playful work with scale and proportionality. I’ve personally found that it’s more fun to play with proportional blocks. My ingenuity is exercised, and it’s easier to develop solutions to designing the structures I imagine. After observing my children with these blocks for years, I can confidently say that they do as well. It’s such a pleasure.

Magnatiles

Listen. These are THE toy we love the most in our home. 9 times out of 10 our family chooses this off the shelf to enjoy together. We find such satisfaction in connecting these colorful tiles horizontally, vertically, as roads, walls, and satisfying geometric shapes.

We pull in the blocks, schleich animals, pieces of felt, you name it, and we create WILD imaginary playscapes. If you choose any building toy to add to your shelf, I’d invite you to consider this one.

Legos

I find childhood hard to imagine without Legos. Once children’s fine motor skills have adequately developed, these little building blocks are delightful. Lego kits have become wildly popular. While Lego kits do have a prescribed outcome, they are a fun challenge to accept. Once finished the Legos can be used for other projects.

Imaginative Play Items

Animal or people figurines

These are the bees knees of interactive storytelling. We’ve used ours to reenact stories, to role play situations, and in our pretend playscapes. Schleich brand makes satisfyingly accurate animal figurines. They can be pricey, but they’re worth it as they are made to last. I recommend a quick perusal on Facebook Marketplace or in a Buy Nothing Group to find affordable pieces.

Dollhouses

If you’re noticing a classic pattern going on here, you’re on to me. We love the tried and true favorites and dollhouses are no exception. Children take delight in pretend play that helps them explore what they are learning in their everyday lives. So it makes sense that a dollhouse would satisfy the urge to explore their home experiences.

For more freedom in their play, and keep interest, choose dollhouses that are a “blank slate”. Choose those without scenes painted on the walls if you can. The plainer, the better. In this way, children have more freedom to exercise their imaginations.

I like to set up little scenes in our dollhouse from time to time as an invitation to play. I’ve observed that my children are more likely to use these materials when scenes are in place. Rather than storing pieces in boxes or baskets, take a little time to reset dollhouses as a warm invitation to play.

Cardboard boxes

Nope, I’m not joking. If you have cardboard boxes large enough for small bodies to fit inside, put them out. Don’t miss the opportunity for unfettered fun and play. They can be cut, painted on, broken down without consequence. It’s alllll good with this one.

Takeaway: Create

I’m not the type to encourage other parents to buy more toys, except for those on this list. These are the tried and true favorites. The best of the best. These are the toys that kids reach for time and time again because they satisfy a creative urge. From building to role playing to setting up pretend playscapes, there’s no limit to their creativity.

Life is Wild. Life is Precious. Life requires space for creative play.