If you’re overwhelmed by toy clutter or wondering what kind of toys kids actually play with, you’re not alone, Momma. Over the years—through babies, toddlers, tweens, and now teens—I’ve learned something really freeing:
You don’t need every new toy.
Your family doesn’t even need a lot of toys.
You just need the right toys—ones that last, invite imagination, and get played with over and over again.
Here’s what works in our home, what doesn’t, and what I wish I had known earlier.
This post is all about the toys kids play with.
Parts of this post were drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, updated, and edited by me to reflect my personal experience and voice. I always aim to share real-life content that’s helpful, honest, and rooted in my day-to-day rhythms.
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through my links. I only share products I use and love in my own home.
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Our Real-Life Toy Favorites
These are the toys that actually get played with in our home—with no batteries, no gimmicks, and a whole lot of imagination.
LEGOs
Legos Classic Set, Lego Repunzel Tower, Lego Friends
Not the sets (those get built once and forgotten), but the open-ended kind. My kids love building their own creations, towns, houses, and vehicles. We still have bins of Legos from when my husband and I were kids—and they’re still going strong.
Magna-Tiles
Magnatiles Classic Construction Set
We’ve slowly added to our collection over the years, and it’s been so worth it. All of my kids—from the toddler to the teen—build towns and houses for their figurines and make up stories together. These are hands-down one of the best investments we’ve made.
Hot Wheels Cars + Tracks
Simple, creative, and they get used in all sorts of ways—sometimes with magna-tile garages, zooming across the floor, and even a daring track racing down the stairs.
Outdoor Ride-On Toys
Our kids love anything they can zoom around in—especially our collection of Little Tikes Cozy Coupes and other ride-on toys. These get used all the time for outdoor play, driveway races, and backyard adventures. They’re one of the few toys that every age seems to enjoy.
Vintage Little People Sets
Vintage Fisher Price Little People
We’ve found a few of these secondhand, and my kids have loved them—especially for nostalgic pretend play.
When We Did Toy Rotation (And Why I Might Bring It Back)
When I had just my two older girls (they were about 4 and 2), I created a really simple toy rotation system. Every Monday, I’d bring out a new bin that had:
- One puzzle
- A few books
- One pretend play item (like a pizza or ice cream scoop set)
- One building toy
- One Little People set
It helped me keep their room cleaner and not get overwhelmed. But even more than that, they played so much more independently. Like, truly played—with deep focus and creativity—compared to when all the toys were out at once.
Now that our family has grown, I haven’t done toy rotation in a while… but as I’m writing this, I think it might be time to bring it back.
What We Keep (And What We Donate)
I don’t limit what toys are gifted to my kids from others, but I do pay close attention to what’s actually being played with.
If a toy is just being dumped out or constantly left on the floor—I see that as a sign. Either it’s time to declutter or time to simplify what’s available.
We’ve found that having a slightly bigger set of a few favorite toys works really well. Like with Magna-Tiles, we’ve added slowly to our collection over the years because I know they get used by everyone. My 2-year-old all the way up to my 14-year-old both play with them in different ways, which feels like such a win.
Let’s Talk Screens and Toy Overload
Yes—this is the world we live in. Screens and instant entertainment are everywhere. And I’ve seen firsthand the difference in my kids’ attitudes when we’re intentional about screen time.
Right now, we have some gentle boundaries in place:
- Nintendo Switch is limited to 30 minutes per day (after checklist tasks are done)
- Some days we watch a show or two, some days we don’t—it depends on what’s going on and how the toddler is doing
- I try to live by the same rules I’ve set for my kids because screens affect me too
When screen time is limited, something amazing happens:
They play more. Together. Happily.
And I notice pretty quickly when a toy shift is needed—usually when messes are constant and no one wants to clean up. That’s my cue to either declutter or simplify what’s out.
What I Wish I Had Known Sooner About Toys
Honestly?
It’s not your job to entertain your kids every minute of the day.
It’s better for their development—and your sanity—when they learn to play and entertain themselves.
Our kids play most mornings and afternoons either independently or with each other. They’re learning so much through play—cooperation, creativity, storytelling, and even emotional regulation.
And they’re happier. So much happier when they’ve spent the day playing rather than watching or waiting for me to entertain them.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need All the Toys
So if you’re feeling buried in toys that aren’t being used or wondering what toys are worth keeping, just start with what your kids already love. Notice what gets used. Don’t be afraid to donate the rest.
And maybe—just maybe—try a little toy rotation again. I think I will too.
This post is all about the toys kids play with.
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