Recommended toys

Children bring clutter. Toys accumulate over the years, and kids seem to take particular pleasure in spreading their treasures across as great a surface area as possible. I'm a minimalist, and I dislike waste, and buckets of unnecessary toys bring out the editor in me.

Some toys are better than others. Toys ought to be safe, well-made, suited to a range of ages, fun, and able to be played with in endless ways. I prefer a handful of great toys over buckets of cheap plastic playthings. We've pared our collection down to ten categories of our favourite, most hardworking toys.

I'll be posting the list in installments, and as one complete post at the end.

1. Food toys

Child-size appliances have the added benefit of providing storage space. I wish I had invested in one of these years ago. Above, left is A Simple Hearth from Palumba, made in the USA. Above, right is Lucy's Kitchen from Nova Natural Toys and Crafts. (Photos from corresponding websites.)

Edibles can be wooden, plastic, plush or knit. Above, from left to right: Good Eggs from Palumba, plush cake from My Paper Crane and wool felt cookies from Natural Pod. (Photos from corresponding websites.)

Dishes and utensils round out the collection. I've scored some great little pans, tins and bowls at thrift stores.

Plan Toys, Brio, Willow Tree Toys, Casey's Wood Products, Quiet Hours Toys and The Wooden Wagon also supply quality food toys.

Some of the links above are to the more mouth-watering finds out there, but there are plenty of less expensive stores that supply food-related toys as well. Our own collection is quite humble. The assortment doesn't need to be of one style or brand - kids don't mind mix and match.

I'd love to hear your own recommendations, for food toys and playthings in general.

Comments

[kurt]

The winner of the prestigious "Spiel Gut" (Good Toy) award, which is coveted amongst elves, Santa's helpers and Keeblers, the "like a bike" is a fantastic wooden toy. Lianne and I recently saw a little boy riding this ingenious piece of millwork down at Kits beach and we both fell instantly in love with it. I have never been a huge fan of wooden toys but the fact that this one actually works and realistically could be made for under $100 is fantastic. Of course you can buy it for a mere $400. Here is one of many sites that you can view this at: http://www.likeabikeusa.com/ I've seen these at a few of the trendy kids stores around Kits and Yaletown.

[Martina]

I've heard rave reviews about the Likeabike before. I noticed it's recommended for indoors and out . . . I can't imagine having one, let alone three of those in our place. But I'm sure the kids could think of nothing better.