[Mkap]

In preparing for our future placement/s, I'm trying to determine the best toys to have on hand. We are open to ages 3-8 boy or girl.
Suggestions please

[mommytoEli]

legos!

we also invested in a wooden train set (like thomas...but we got the generic target version) and table. when we had an 8,9 year old sib set move in...we thought we should put it away...but they totally played with that too!

books, small hand held computer games- like leapster, and simple games- checkers, puzzles, things that don't involve too much reading- even for the older kids.

[momraine]

You might also consider having some toys for younger kids as the kids might be delayed if they came from a rough home or have had many placements.
Educational things might be good, to help them with language skills and pre-reading skills and such.

[CaddoRose]

Alphabeth blocks, shape sorter set, wooden blocks/shapes,simple trucks(I don't have any that make noise), a step stool, flat wooden puzzles, plastic animal set, Noah's ark set( kids love it), Lincoln Logs and Tinker toys.

[momraine]

Some dolls and stuffed animals might be good too. Maybe get some stuffed animals that you could give to each child to come through your home that they could keep. I would be careful about leaving kids unattended with expensive or possibly dangerious toys until you get to know them a little.

[mamallama]

Here are things we keep in stock

Bubbles
Playdough
Board/Card Games (Memory, Sesame Street Uno, Candyland)
Matchbox cars
Barbie Dolls
Stuffed animals
wooden blocks
baby doll w/little stroller, bottles, etc
Dress up clothes
puzzles (a few wooden and a few 25+ piece for bigger kids)
jump rope
basketball
sidewalk chalk
Coloring sheets and crayons
Imaginarium (sold at Toys R Us) City & Train Set
A few sets of Playmobile people

[Mkap]

I love all of the ideas, thank you!!! I do keep a stuffed animal for a boy and a girl on hand depending on who comes to lay their little heads on our newly made up beds We have a little pink one and a little blue one. Also have several other stuffed toys, some coloring books, crayons, activity books, construction paper and books for multiple ages. I will hit up more yard sales before the end of the year and try to stock up more on the other toys mentioned. I also keep a little tv and vcr in the bedroom with many disney movies.
You guys should see the room that we just redid for our next placement. It is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dh and I threw our hearts into it after fd left and it has turned out beautiful. We want ot sleep in there

[sheababy]

If you have room-a play kitchen is always a hit (maybe not at 8). My neighbors found a very compact one at the second hand store-I'm off in search of one for DD for the winter.

[mountaineermom]

yea i second the play kitchen set
we have one with a dishwasher, stove and fridge. Kids play with that thing for hours!
If you have a yard or big driveway, then you could look in the paper or yardsales for used bikes, scooters, or power wheels. We have a lot of educational toys too but the outside toys always go over well and the kids wont wreck the inside of your house!

[ladyjubilee]

Originally Posted by Mkap

In preparing for our future placement/s, I'm trying to determine the best toys to have on hand. We are open to ages 3-8 boy or girl.
Suggestions please

I wouldn't get a bunch of toys. First because you don't know what age you'll actually end up with....and second, well, too many toys can be overwhelming. Some--ok alot--of kids that come into a new home are going to be overwhelmed. Only having a few select toys (ie one or two to start) can be reassuring as those items quickly become familiar....and those few toys can be some purchased on the spot that actually interest that child. I had a room set up for my first placement with all the little developmental toys to encourage a hundred and one different skill sets......the little fellow walked into the room, spotted a dowel that had slipped down (from holding a banner) and found his favorite toy. On the next placement, all those gems ended up flying across the room to be embedded in the wall.

On this placement, having a few select toys has encouraged Little Guy to develop his attention span while avoiding over stimulation.



Sooo, personally, I'd start with a ball, a stuffed toy and small box of legos and that's it. Then when the kids come you can take them out and get them a toy that suits them.