Lincoln Logs
My son loves to build - Thomas the Train, Legos, etc, so we got Lincoln Logs. He has played with them twice in 3+ years. Building a wood cabin that easily falls apart just isn't fun when you can build just about anything with Legos and play with it afterwards.
Kids can build a frontier mining town with real dynamite action! Prairie Town Mine comes with 122 real wood logs, plus colorful figures and...
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Playskool-00882-Lincoln-Logs/dp/B004IJC60Q/ref=sr_1_9?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1304799643&sr=1-9
My son loves to build - Thomas the Train, Legos, etc, so we got Lincoln Logs. He has played with them twice in 3+ years. Building a wood cabin that easily falls apart just isn't fun when you can build just about anything with Legos and play with it afterwards.
2
1
Mousetrap
I remember seeing a commercial for Mousetrap when I was a child and wanting it so badly. I never got it but decided to give it to my kids for Christmas. Big mistake. Children under about 8 need serious help getting it set up AND the plastic pieces break very easily. Once a piece is broken, the game is worthless.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-4657-Mousetrap/dp/B00000DMFD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1304799822&sr=1-1
I remember seeing a commercial for Mousetrap when I was a child and wanting it so badly. I never got it but decided to give it to my kids for Christmas. Big mistake. Children under about 8 need serious help getting it set up AND the plastic pieces break very easily. Once a piece is broken, the game is worthless.
4
1
Easels
Both my children are very into art and we have a big playroom, so I thought an easel would be perfect. In the end it just takes up space in the corner. My kids don't want to paint or draw in chalk at the easel; they much prefer sitting at a table or spreading out on the floor.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Standing-Easel/dp/B0002AUWKG/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1304799993&sr=1-1
Both my children are very into art and we have a big playroom, so I thought an easel would be perfect. In the end it just takes up space in the corner. My kids don't want to paint or draw in chalk at the easel; they much prefer sitting at a table or spreading out on the floor.
5
2
Marionettes
Don't buy these for children under about 10. All that happens is the strings get tangled and then they take up space.
Original Toy wooden marionettes are carefully designed and crafted by hand with careful attention to detail. These marionettes always take "center stage"!
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/The-Original-Toy-Company-PINN/dp/B002OBTYO6
Don't buy these for children under about 10. All that happens is the strings get tangled and then they take up space.
ZOOBs
My builder son has received two different sets of Zoobs as gifts but has yet do really play with them. It's all about Legos for him. He did make a little Zoob gun that shoots another Zoob piece out of it but that's about all the value he saw in Zoobs.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Infinitoy-11075-ZOOB-75-Piece-Basic/dp/B0009AD6NY/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1304800105&sr=1-3
My builder son has received two different sets of Zoobs as gifts but has yet do really play with them. It's all about Legos for him. He did make a little Zoob gun that shoots another Zoob piece out of it but that's about all the value he saw in Zoobs.
2
Sand and Water Tables
These aren't cheap (this one is more than $150) and my children got minimal use. The sand gets gross and water gets everywhere. The accessories don't hold up well. My children had way more fun playing "scrub-a-dub" in our kitchen sink (washing dishes!) After less than 1 year, we gave away our sand & water table for free.
This ultimate construction sand and water table comes fully equipped with a large interactive crane. Accessory set includes dump and semi trucks, ocean containers, and bridges. Includes large umbrella.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-Builders-Water-Table/dp/B000MG7XRA/ref=sr_1_10?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1305073999&sr=1-10
These aren't cheap (this one is more than $150) and my children got minimal use. The sand gets gross and water gets everywhere. The accessories don't hold up well. My children had way more fun playing "scrub-a-dub" in our kitchen sink (washing dishes!) After less than 1 year, we gave away our sand & water table for free.
1
2
Dollhouses
It's controversial to put dollhouses on my list but this is from experience. My daughter could care less about her dollhouse and many of my friends say their daughters are not engaged either. Save the money and get Calico Criters and sets instead.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Dollhouse-Miniature--Decorate-Vermont-Farmhouse/dp/B003BQ7X8W/ref=sr_1_98?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1308872452&sr=1-98
It's controversial to put dollhouses on my list but this is from experience. My daughter could care less about her dollhouse and many of my friends say their daughters are not engaged either. Save the money and get Calico Criters and sets instead.
3
3
Baby Alive Dolls
I can't believe Baby Alive is still on the market. I wanted one so badly as a little girl but my parents refused after hearing nightmare stories about maggots getting into the doll's food. No idea if those stories are true but the whole idea behind this doll is pretty gross.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Alive-All-Gone-Blonde/dp/B003A6IEJA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1304800334&sr=1-1
I can't believe Baby Alive is still on the market. I wanted one so badly as a little girl but my parents refused after hearing nightmare stories about maggots getting into the doll's food. No idea if those stories are true but the whole idea behind this doll is pretty gross.
4
Bubble Machines
There are so many bubble machines on the market and we have owned about 5 of them. It's fun for about 5 minutes and then gets old and messy. And each of the bubble machines breaks pretty quickly too. Bubbles the old fashion way are just fine.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Funrise-32417-Gazillion-Bubble-Machine/dp/B000197NXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1304806121&sr=1-1
There are so many bubble machines on the market and we have owned about 5 of them. It's fun for about 5 minutes and then gets old and messy. And each of the bubble machines breaks pretty quickly too. Bubbles the old fashion way are just fine.
4
2
Workshop or Workbenches
These take up a lot of space and don't get used that much. So much better to just have a regular playroom table and tool kits.
Encourage creativity with realistic-looking Durafoam "wood" that provides unlimited building possibilities. "Wood" pieces assemble easily with interlocking notches and holes to add screws and nuts; helps develop hand-eye coordination. Sturdy table...
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Step2-762700-Real-Projects-Workshop/dp/B000FHQJLW/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1348531020&sr=1-1&keywords=Workbench
These take up a lot of space and don't get used that much. So much better to just have a regular playroom table and tool kits.
Gumball Machines
I'm sure every kid thinks they want a gumball machine but really they don't. They end up being big paperweights. And then you lose the key so you can't even get out the money or the old gumballs.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Creations-81408-Gumball-Machine/dp/B000FGKH2K/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1304800232&sr=1-3
I'm sure every kid thinks they want a gumball machine but really they don't. They end up being big paperweights. And then you lose the key so you can't even get out the money or the old gumballs.
3
Kites
One kite per family is good enough. Even then you probably won't be using it much. Sorry to everyone who ever gave us a kite!
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Large-Easy-Flyer-Kite-Butterfly/dp/B000K27MPO
One kite per family is good enough. Even then you probably won't be using it much. Sorry to everyone who ever gave us a kite!
Fur Real
A few reasons this is a waste of money: the fur is scratchy not soft, requires batteries. makes noise while wrapped and has a big hard frame that makes it less than ideal to cuddle. The advertisements are much better than the product.
fishpond.co.nz
http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Toys/Furreal-Friends-Cookie-Puppy-Hasbro/0653569598831
Suggested by Jennifer Wright:
A few reasons this is a waste of money: the fur is scratchy not soft, requires batteries. makes noise while wrapped and has a big hard frame that makes it less than ideal to cuddle. The advertisements are much better than the product.
