I don't have the best grandma house in the world....there is no trampoline or backyard swimming pool. On the other hand, there is no shortage of toys for my grandkids to play with when they come here. They do sometimes play with the toys and games and puzzles and crayons and markers when they are here, but here are the things they play with the most:
- An old mattress and pile of quilts and pillows in the basement
- A small exercise step machine in my office
This is the all-time favorite...the spinning desk chair in my office.
They never get tired of spinning and spinning and getting so dizzy that they can barely walk.
A lot of the toys I have come from consignment stores and garage sales. I guess I am going to have to start shopping at those places with a different eye.
It is crazy what they choose to play with isn't it. I am never very patient with spinning the office chair (o:
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, the ever-popular "spin me" game. "Faster, Grandma, faster!" Our kids also love to supplement their toy tea set and food sets with real pots and pans and whisks, etc. Plus dressup clothes from consignment shops.
ReplyDeleteI remember getting excited about going to my grandmothers because she'd always give me a graham cracker and let me pick one soap out of her enormous collection of tiny little motel soaps. No toys. No candy. And I'd be out of my mind excited.
ReplyDeleteReally, it's all about being adored, however it's expressed!
I get my toys from rummage sales and such, too. No pool or trampoline at my house either. In fact, I don't have much of a yard space at all, alas.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very inexpensive way to entertain, isn't it? Did you ever make club houses out of the big boxes left over from moving? It was better than any Barbie Dreamhouse (Barbie houses were pretty lame at that age, as I recall!)
ReplyDeleteLove to see pictures of your grandkids! I'm sure they adore you and always love to visit!
My Granddaughters like to play with the spinning desk chair at my house too. They are easily amused at that age. Going to Grandmas house is fun with our without toys.
ReplyDeleteToys schmoys! My kids are 9 and 7 and never tire of playing with or in large cardboard boxes!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Ladyfi----I was going to say cardboard boxes too!
ReplyDeleteFunny isn't it??? Nor do we have a swing~set here on the Ponderosa but the grandkiddos have a blast swingin' on the big old gates and jumpin' bales!
ReplyDeleteGod bless ya and have a grand day sweetie!!!
(I've been in TX. for a week....Dad's memorial)
I just have a ton of books, art supplies and quite a few of the vintage Fisher Price toys that were my kids.
ReplyDeleteThe grands have the best time using their imagination...sounds like yours to do.
Those are the things they will remember.
Not how many electronics you bought them!
We do have a rope swing in the backyard they love as well!
I try not to spend too much on toys for this very reason. Kids are the best recyclers in the world.
ReplyDeleteI have bought very little toys for my grandson to play with at my house but I have tons. Most were given to me and the rest I got at a kids consignment shop! Which reminds me, I must clean out his toy closet and get rid of the babyish stuff.
ReplyDeleteWish I had a spinning desk chair:)
Imagination is the best "toy" to have at a grandparents' house. Oh, the countless games my Mom and Dad played with the kids when they were little...Priceless!
ReplyDeleteOh yea, spinning chair is always a favorite. When the grandkids were little I had a big drawer full of clothes they could dress up with-- Like prom dresses I found at garage sales for a buck and the likes.
ReplyDeleteHave fun! jj
The old saying - you buy them a toy and they play with the box. I do not have tons of toys, but have tried to buy the classics - the Fisher Price popper is a great hit, blocks, legos, puzzles, books all bought at thrift stores or garage sales (by hubby - I don't have the patience for this kind of shopping). Our grandson scrambles up into Tito's wheelchair when it is empty and wants to go!
ReplyDeletebest memories are of playing with pillows..quilts...boxes...ect....
ReplyDeleteI am so gonna have to have a couple of spins on my office chair now... I'm sure my colleagues won't mind ;)
ReplyDeletePS I'm back in blogland and no longer Eternally Distracted ;)
but thank you for still having me on your blog roll :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's great they prefer to use their imagination and your non-toy toys. Looks like great fun to me. And as far as a trampoline and pool, well, those things are so darn dangerous! Better that you don't have them! :o
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I remember about "toys" at my grandparents was a crayon box, kept in their chiffarobe in the bedroom. I have that furniture now; it's a treasure.
ReplyDeleteBut my real joy visiting Grandma was helping her bake, playing with the old pump on the sink, picking berries and garden veggies. Toys? Not a requirement, if the rest is fun!