BEST of ALL TIME: 5 Toys That Outrank All The Rest!

With the holidays upon us I was reminded of an article I read in Wired Magazine back in 2011 that resonated deeply with our parenting philosophy. The article, written by Jonathan H. Liu, introduced us to a world where the toys we choose for our children embrace simplicity, spark creativity, and defy materialism. We tip our hats to this insightful piece and invite you to join us on a whimsical journey inspired by its wisdom. I encourage you to read the article for more laughs, insight, warnings and helpful user manuals for the following toys. The 5 Best Toys of All Time

1. Stick

   - We couldn't agree more with the sentiment that Stick is the ultimate toy for the imaginative soul. In the words of the original author, "It's a required ingredient for Stickball, of course, but it's so much more." Sticks are eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for sparking creativity. They're the ultimate "less is more" toy. Be sure to reference the warning and user manual for the stick in the original text. 

2. Box

   - The versatile Box, as the original article noted, "comes in a variety of shapes and sizes." It's a canvas for creativity, a stage for storytelling, and a vessel for adventure. Boxes often come free with your everyday purchases, reminding us that sometimes, the simplest things are the most magical. The author points out that the box comes with the best celebrity endorsement on the list: Calvin and Hobbes. And a question, What do you put a box in when you’re done playing with it??

3. String

   - As the original article wisely shared, String is the unsung hero of playtime. With just a piece of String, your child can tie, hang, and create wonders. It encourages resourcefulness and imaginative thinking. String is simplicity at its best. 

4. Cardboard Tube

   - We couldn't agree more with the sentiment that "Cardboard Tubes come free with household items like paper towels, patiently waiting to be transformed into imaginative wonders." Cardboard Tubes encourage resourceful play while keeping messes to a minimum. They're perfect for tiny inventors. Reminder, they don’t hold up well to energetic play. 

5. Dirt

   - Yes, the original article dared to suggest it—good old-fashioned Dirt! As it pointed out, while parents may cringe at the thought, Dirt is a playground for creativity. Dig, pile, and sculpt to your heart's content. It's time to embrace the mess and let your child's imagination run wild.

So, with a tip of the hat to GeekDad's original wisdom, we recommend these five timeless toys that celebrate simplicity, spark creativity, and defy materialistic madness. Embrace "less is more" and watch as your child's imagination soars. These budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and sanity-friendly toys are here to prove that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the most magical.