Best Toys For Boys

71

By jim10

Best Toys For Boys

best toys for boys
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best toys for boys

Best Toys For Boys

On this Hub I will share with you some of the best toys for boys. I have three boys and we all love to play with toys. I might even like some of their toys more than they do. There are certain toys you can get for a boy that you just can't possibly go wrong with, like Legos, a ball, video games and classic board games to name a few. Boys are adventurous, love to build things and always want to have fun. 

An Unwanted Toy

One of the worst things as a parent is spending lots of money on the one toy your child had to have, but never plays with. Every parent has been there. You don't want your child to be disappointed on their birthday or Christmas so you buy a toy they really want even when you might have doubts about them liking it.

It is one thing when your boy starts to get too big for a toy or the toy is getting to be too childish for them. Especially if they had gotten lots of use out of them. These are the types of toys I like to store away for our next boy. Or at least give them to a friend who can use them. But, the misfit toys that no one ever even liked in the first place is what bugs me. They just sit at the bottom of the toy box and kids always over look them. In some cases I can't blame them. The commercial had kids doing all kinds of cool tricks with them. But, in reality the toy is boring or just plain junk. It seems as though many of the toys today are being made more cheaply. When that is the case it really shows. I used to play Guess Who back in the 80's and it was great. I could flick the people down with my finger. Then when the game was over I would tip it upside down to make the pieces stand up to play again. Well needless to say I had to get my kids this great game a few years ago. I can't imagine doing anything but, gently pushing the pieces down. Never mind tipping it upside down. I tried once and half of the pieces fell off. You would think that something like this would improve over time. But, apparently not Hasbro. They would rather save a few bucks. I actually got frustrated enough to complain to them but, they just said they would look into it.

It is nice that today I have found ways to help prevent getting bad toys in some ways. Their are all kinds of great review sites out there on the web. I can just check out Amazon for the toy my boys asked for and see what other people think. This can at least give a parent some idea whether their kids will like it. If it has lots of bad reviews then get something else they want or try to find something similar with good reviews. 

My boys have always loved Legos. They were never really into the Duplo sets. But as soon as they were old enough to use regular Legos they just couldn't get enough. I can honestly say every boy should have Legos. Currently they love the new Power Miners sets. My younger boy is 6 and loves just using the Lego men and rearranging them with other Lego men and accessories. My oldest is 8 and he loves taking the sets and just building his own thing.  

Lego makes great toys for boys

LEGO Power Miners Thunder Driller (8960)
Amazon Price: $90.53
List Price: $29.99
LEGO Power Miners Claw Digger
Amazon Price: $110.95
List Price: $19.99
LEGO Power Miners Mine Mech (8957)
Amazon Price: $34.85
List Price: $9.99
LEGO Ultimate Building Set - 405 Pieces (6166)
Amazon Price: $22.22
List Price: $29.99

My Boys Favorite Board Games

Cranium Balloon Lagoon
Amazon Price: $64.91
List Price: $19.99
The Settlers of Catan
Amazon Price: $32.15
List Price: $42.00
Gamewright Hisss Card Game
Amazon Price: $9.48
List Price: $14.99
Scene It? Deluxe Disney 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $79.00
List Price: $39.99
I Spy Memory Game
Amazon Price: $9.39
List Price: $21.99

My Boys Favorite Nitendo DS Games

Nintendo DS Lite Cobalt / Black
Amazon Price: $101.88
List Price: $99.99
New Super Mario Bros
Amazon Price: $23.00
List Price: $34.99
Yoshi's Island DS
Amazon Price: $20.00
List Price: $34.99
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Amazon Price: $12.99
List Price: $19.99
Spore Creatures
Amazon Price: $19.49
List Price: $29.99
Mario Party DS
Amazon Price: $20.49
List Price: $29.99

What are your boys favorite toys? Or other comments.

quicksand profile image

quicksand Level 4 Commenter 3 years ago

Quite an interesting hub.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks, it is just a little frustrating buying toys that my boys think they want. But, soon change their mind after we get them. I think I partly blame the over hyped advertising my kids are bombarded with on a daily basis. Oh and many toys look better on the box than when you open them. Once my kids were all excited over this $5 wiggle worm we saw on vacation. I bought them and when we got back to our hotel we figured out they don't wiggle. Their was a tiny invisible string the kids had to manipulate to make the stupid thing move. It was quite the disappointment.

Proud Mom profile image

Proud Mom 3 years ago

I'm so glad you wrote this one! I've been waiting for you to write about this because I love your take on spending time with your kids. I only have one boy who followed two sisters, and it didn't take me long to realize the huge difference in their playtime styles. It's great to have your input on this, as you seem to have a blast with your boys!

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks Proud Mom, I have been meaning to write a Hub about my boys favorite toys for a while. I was just trying to get the other sites in order first. Thanks again for suggesting it.

tonyab profile image

tonyab 3 years ago

Hiya Jim!

Nice hub! Hope y'all are doing well, and I love the boys toys. =)

quicksand profile image

quicksand Level 4 Commenter 3 years ago

Jim, if you had girls, you'd be buying barbie dolls for them ... or are barbie dolls out of fashion?

jkfrancis profile image

jkfrancis 3 years ago

Good hub. My 8 yr old grandson, soon to be 9 loves checkers. He also plays chess. He doesn't beat me yet but has won some games he's played with others. He also plays Wii games, is into sports, etc. He loved legos when he was younger. His interests are many.

ESAHS 3 years ago

"Great hub!"

"Another way to look at toys!"

"Two thumbs up!"

CEO E.S.A.H.S. Association

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Level 5 Commenter 3 years ago

I have always liked simple, creative toys for children that allow the imagination to do the playing. You mention some great ones here, but don't forget the ever-popular big cardboard box! ;)

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Tonyab, we are doing well thanks.

Quicksand, I don't think I would have as much fun with girls toys. Although a tea party might be fun.

jkfrancis, my six year old son loves Checkers too.We both recently tried Mancala for the first time and we loved that. I haven't tried teaching them Chess yet. I love the Lego Chess set. But, it is pretty expensive. So I will probably get a plastic or wooden one sometime. I used to love Chess. But haven't played forever.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks ESAHS and justmesuzanne,

Suzanne I just had to add a picture of my youngest boys favorite toy at the bottom for you.

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Level 5 Commenter 3 years ago

LOL! Thanks! What a cutie! Yes, there is nothing better than a cardboard box! :D

Muthusamy R profile image

Muthusamy R 3 years ago

Interesting to learn how boys get amused with toys. Thank you for the GREAT HUB

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks Suzanne I'm glad you liked the picture.

Constant Walker profile image

Constant Walker 3 years ago

I'm dating myself here, big time, but one of my favorite toys was Lincoln Logs.

Now, of course, it's video games!

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Not necessarily Constant, my kids have a couple of buckets of Lincoln Logs. They are still easily found at any toy store. Of course if you mean when they were new. Then you are pretty old. I have a canister of them next to me and it says "A classic since 1916." I'm happy to know you moved on to video games.

Constant Walker profile image

Constant Walker 3 years ago

In that case... I bought them for the very first time - EVER - just last year. ;-)

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

You are only as old as you feel. So if you are still playing with toys and video games I don't think you have anything to worry about. My wife gets bothered when I buy my boys toys that I like instead of considering whether they will like them. I figure at least I know the toys will get lots of use.

Constant Walker profile image

Constant Walker 3 years ago

Ha-ha! Here's an idea; buy toys for your boys, and toys for you.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

I guess that would work.

anjalichugh profile image

anjalichugh Level 2 Commenter 3 years ago

That was short and sweet.

Nancy's Niche profile image

Nancy's Niche Level 1 Commenter 3 years ago

Informative, short and to the point...Nicely done!

k@ri profile image

k@ri 3 years ago

Jim, Nice hub! I have also been accused of buying toys I like, not what the kids asked for...Lincoln Logs were one of these. However, once my son started playing with them, they became a favorite! Thanks for the hub!

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl 3 years ago

lego is great - so many possibilites, and imagination really adds to it.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks everyone. Way to go k@ri finding toys you love and getting your kids just as interested in them. That really makes for a great toy.

LondonGirl I am actually in the middle of making a Lego hub.

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl 3 years ago

go for it - I'll certainly read it

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks,

here you go

http://hubpages.com/hub/lego-sets

srhgompf profile image

srhgompf 3 years ago

I've found that the best toys are the ones that kids can build with or figure out more than one use for. Like you said, Legos are great and so are Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. Tommy is ADORABLE!

Good information. Thumbs up!

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

srhgompf, your name confuses me. Thanks for commenting. I agree the best toys are lots of fun, can be used over and over again and trigger the child's imagination. I think Tommy is adorable too. But, I am a little biased. So it helps when others say so. Thanks.

Hawkesdream profile image

Hawkesdream Level 2 Commenter 3 years ago

we have a very colourful playhouse in our garden, there's nothing in it ,most of the windows and doors are broken and it has been passed around the family for the past ten years, BUT, my grandson loves it.

I do agree that the older toys were better in every sense of the word. Nowadays manufacturers seem to make them cheaper and charge more, disposable toys, thats what I call them.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks Hawkesdream, I'm sure with your sons great imagination he makes the empty playhouse with the broken windows into a giant castle, a rocket ship or even just a simple fort. Thanks for your comments and it is sad about the toy manufactures making cheap toys just to save a few bucks. I would much prefer to spend a few extra dollars and get a toy that will last. It stinks having to buy a new Hungry Hungry Hippos or Guess Who? for each of my sons since it is a great game but just won't last.

Raven King profile image

Raven King 3 years ago

Hi Jim. Hey, I used to really enjoy my dinosaur toys. I think some toys can be enjoyed by both girls and boys and that makes them great.

Fun hub!!!

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks Raven, you are right just about every kid loves dinosaur toys. A lot of my toy suggestions would be great for both boys and girls too. I only specify boys because well thats what I've got.

Thanks for visiting.

Staci-Barbo7 profile image

Staci-Barbo7 3 years ago

They love Legos because they inspire their imagination and they get to CREATE something themselves. My daughter, a self-professed tomboy, LOVES getting outside and making a play fort. She'd rather do that than play with a $50 toy.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Thanks Staci, I totally agree a lot of cheaper toys tend to allow a lot more room for imagination and therefore are used for much longer. We recently got a new desk and it came in a huge rectangular box. By sons drew pictures of roads, trees and water on it and it has been in their room taking up the whole floor for over a week for them to use their guys and cars on it.

Dolores Monet profile image

Dolores Monet Level 7 Commenter 3 years ago

Jim, as a mother of 3 boys (and babysitter of 2 more) I can honestly say the whole lot of them would have rather played with sticks, rocks, and trash than 90% of the toys I bought at a toy store.

jim10 profile image

jim10 Hub Author 3 years ago

Dolores that is great, although I hope they are pretty choosy about what trash. Sticks and rocks can be imagined into anything. While something that is manufactured typically has very few uses. The stick was actually inducted into The National Toy Hall of Fame a few years back.

Alissa1985 profile image

Alissa1985 2 years ago

Thanks for the hub. I have a boy also, who is 2 and he has two sisters. Very different! It is funny though, he loves to play with baby dolls, and even has one that he likes to sleep with! I know he gets that from his sisters though (at least I hope so lol). He also enjoys his toys too! His favorite I believe is his little plastick trike that he gets on and make the, you know, brrrruuumm bruuumm noise! Thanks for the hub!

Iðunn 2 years ago

With my boys it was usually superheroes of the day action figures, depending on which cartoon was hot at the moment. I used to buy the sheets and comforters every couple of years to match. Boys were harder for me. It was easier to play 'girl-type' games with my kids... books, puzzles, board games.

christianesk profile image

christianesk 2 years ago

Informative and useful hub. Thanks Jim!

Lloyd Christmas profile image

Lloyd Christmas 2 years ago

With Lego, ya can't go far wrong,its great for playing with your kids and for their creative side. My partner is still sore to this day that her Dad gave her Lego collection away, the more you have the bigger you can build.

fraggler profile image

fraggler 7 months ago

I was a Lego nut when I was a kid. Blocks everywhere! My favourite set was the airport + jet. :p The Technics range (if they still have them) was very cool for older kids. Greta fun.

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