10 Toys We Keep in Our Simple Home
Keeping our homes tidy and organised can be a challenge, especially when it comes to dealing with toys. It’s all too easy for them to end up scattered throughout the house and for the number of toys to quickly become overwhelming. We want to give our children the best and provide them with a variety of toys that can both be fun and contribute to their physical and mental growth. However, studies have shown that having too many toys can lead to children becoming more distracted, less creative, and taking less care of their toys. Plus, it can be overwhelming for us parents too! So, in our home, we keep a check on the amount of toys we have. Here’s a list of 10 toys we have at home – most of them can be used in many different ways and are great for kids of all ages.
1. Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic Tiles are so much fun for kids! They come in all kinds of sizes and shapes, so kids can let their imaginations run wild! Building structures, patterns, and whatever else their minds can come up with, magnetic tiles provide hours of entertainment without taking up too much space. Plus, when you’re done playing, they conveniently fit away in a cupboard or box, leaving your home tidy and clutter-free.
2. Wooden Train Tracks
Wooden train track toys are a timeless classic for any home. They are easy to store, can be set up quickly, and provide hours of entertainment! Not only are they enjoyable, but they also offer educational benefits, teaching children about the basics of engineering and construction. Plus, these toys are usually made of sturdy and durable materials, so they can last for years. Wooden train track toys are a great choice, as they provide plenty of fun while taking up minimal space.
3. Mega/Lego Blocks
Mega Bloks and Lego blocks are a wonderful way to bring minimalism into the home! They’re compact, lightweight and super easy to store, making them perfect for decluttering. Plus, they come in a range of sizes and shapes, so kids can create all sorts of designs with minimal space. With Duplo and Lego blocks, the possibilities are endless: buildings, structures, patterns and more! And when they’re finished playing, they can simply be tucked away in a cupboard or box, ensuring your home stays clutter-free.
4. Vehicles
Vehicle toys are an awesome way to bring loads of fun and excitement into the home – without taking up too much space! Not only are they entertaining, but they also help to promote physical and developmental skills. Vehicle toys can help kids practice problem-solving, coordination, and motor skills. Plus, they can help to increase a child’s understanding of physics, as they learn how different vehicle types move and interact with the world around them. Vehicle toys are a great way to combine learning and playtime, while still being mindful of space in the home.
5. Animal Figures (realistic)
Animal figures are an amazing way to introduce your little ones to the fascinating world of animals! Not only are they tons of fun to play with, but they can also help to boost physical and mental development. In our home we have a few different sets, farm, safari, ocean, dinosaurs, insects, fish and birds. With these sets of animal figures, children can learn about the environment, different species, and how they behave. Plus, these toys can help to improve motor skills as they learn to use their hands to manipulate the figures. Animal figures are also an excellent way to hone problem-solving skills, as children explore different ways to create stories and adventures. And the best part – animal figures packs are very affordable and can often be found for under £10, so they make great additions to our homes!
6. Doll/Stuffed Animals
Dolls and stuffed animals are a wonderful way to add a little fun to our home. Not only are they super enjoyable to play with, but they also bring along a lot of benefits! Physically, dolls and stuffed animals are excellent tools for helping kids develop their fine motor skills, like grasping and manipulating objects. Mentally, they encourage problem-solving, creativity, and storytelling – a great way to get those imaginative juices flowing! So if you’re looking for a way to bring joy and imagination into your home while still being mindful of space, dolls and stuffed animals are the perfect pick.
7. Balls
Balls make the perfect addition to any home! Not only are they great fun, but they also provide physical and mental benefits. Physically, balls help build gross motor skills like throwing, kicking, and bouncing. Mentally, balls encourage strategy and can be used in a variety of games. Plus, they’re affordable and safe for children with non-toxic materials and no small parts. So why not get a ball for your home and enjoy all the fun and development it brings?
8. Puzzles and Board Games
Puzzles and board games are an amazing way to bring simplicity into your home while still having loads of fun! Puzzles are great for developing problem-solving and motor skills, and board games can help to teach strategy and sharpen logic abilities. Plus, since most puzzles and board games are made of durable materials, your whole family can enjoy them for years to come. Years ago, we were gifted a compendium of games. It’s been fantastic, as it takes up the same amount of space as a single board game, but contains six different games! Some others that we enjoy include: for our toddler – Snug as a Bug and Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game. For everyone our favourites are – Articulate, Monopoly, Scrabble, Boggle, Uno and Dobble. Puzzles and board games are the perfect fit for a simple home because they don’t take up much space, but still offer lots of entertainment.
9. Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are a great way to add fun and creativity to our home! Not only do they provide entertainment, but they can also bring physical and mental benefits. Playing an instrument can help to sharpen coordination, focus, and problem-solving skills – plus, it can help increase a child’s understanding of music theory, composition, and rhythm. And the best part? There are instruments of all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your home. These are some that we have in our home include: xylophone, triangle, recorder, maracas, finger cymbals, jingle bells, castanets, mouth organ, tambourine, drum and guitar. There are also nice music sets available with a variety of instruments.
10. Yoto Player
Looking for a way to bring technology into your home without cluttering up the space? The Yoto Player is the perfect solution! Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to fit into any home, and it’s packed with a range of educational content, interactive toys, and custom playlists that can be quickly accessed with the press of a button. So, if you’re a parent who wants to provide their kids with an enjoyable and educational way to explore the world of technology, the Yoto Player is the ideal choice!
Additional Items
Arts and Crafts
Art and crafting are amazing ways to bring a bit of creativity into your home without taking up too much space! These activities help to promote physical and mental development in children, as they use their hands to work with different materials and explore their imaginations. Art and craft activities can develop motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and creativity. What’s even better is that most art and craft materials are affordable and won’t take up much space. So, you can keep your home looking great while still having plenty of fun with arts and crafts! Some of the items we always have in our home include: colouring pens, pencils and crayons, watercolours, paints, stamps set and Play-Doh.
Books
Books are a great way to bring learning into the home without taking up too much space. With books, children can explore different worlds and cultures, learn more about the environment, and develop their reading and comprehension skills. Plus, books are usually affordable and can be stored easily, making them perfect for a minimalist home. Reading helps to boost a child’s imagination, problem-solving skills, and creativity, so why not get a few books for your home and enjoy all the benefits they bring?
This post outlines 10 toys that are perfect for a more simplified home. Not only are these toys fun and entertaining, they also provide physical and mental benefits such as improved motor skills, problem-solving, creativity, and more. They are also affordable, easy to store and will last for many years and many age ranges. These are just some of the many toys available that are suitable for a more minimalist home. I am sharing these particular ones because in my home they have been the most versatile and have been used over and over. Everyone’s life looks a little different, so choose the toys that suit your needs best.
TIP: I often find that toys accumulate in my home without me really noticing. To prevent this, I have designated areas in my house where toys should “live”. If toys start to spread beyond these areas, I know it’s time to declutter.
What toys get played with the most in your home? I’d love to hear from you in the comments 🤍