Washable Dog Toys Article

Consider turning back the clock and buying your children classic toys that have proven themselves with generations of children. Classic toys are seldom advertised in multimillion-dollar campaigns. As a result, their prices are often very reasonable. Here are some ideas to start with:

Teddy bear. The old-fashioned stuffed bear is still the perfect bedtime pal for young children. His soft, forgiving face is loved by both boys and girls. Choose one that has movable arms and legs so that he can sit up on his own.

Wagon. A shiny red wagon can be many things to a child - a stroller, a baby carriage, a fire truck, a train. The old-fashioned kind with removable wooden side railings is useful for other jobs, too, like bringing in firewood, rolling home groceries, or carrying newspapers.

Magnifying glass. A wonderful tool for inspecting bugs, the dog's nose, and Daddy's whiskers, a magnifying glass can provide hours of fun for preschool and young school-age children. Choose a quality glass that's not too heavy for small hands to manage. Check with an optician's office. A packet of animal or bird stamps would go with it nicely.

Magnets. Most toy store magnets are disappointingly weak. However, hardware stores carry block and ring magnets that can be used for play. With your magnet, Include a supply of nuts, bolts, paper clips, and other metal things that can be picked up. Pack it all in a Christmas cookie tin.

Watercolor paints and paper. Watercolors are ideal for young children. They can be made dark or light, depending on how much you dilute them. They are usually washable, and even the water you dip the brush in turns interesting colors. Purchase a collection of different brushes - some large, some small, maybe one with a flat tip. A choice of watercolor paper of various textures will get your child started.

Clay. Oil-based clays are available in dime stores and toy stores. They have brilliant colors and don't dry out, so they can be used over and over. To temporarily save a project, the clay can be hardened in the refrigerator overnight. The disadvantage of this type of clay is its unusual odor and its tendency to get ground into carpeting. Potter's clay is available in earth colors in art supply stores. Children love its marvelous coolness and texture, and the fact that it will harden by itself. But it's messy! You may want to present it with a bright vinyl tablecloth and a few simple clay-working tools from an art store.

Board games. Chess, checkers, and Chinese checkers are still wonderful childhood pastimes. (The marbles in Chinese checkers aren't safe if you've got a baby around.) Monopoly, Scrabble, and Bonkers are other board games that kids age nine and older love.

Doctor/Nurse kit. Don't frustrate your youngster with a cheap imitation kit - put a real one together yourself. Using a zippered shaving kit, include the following: a real stethoscope (available in some toy stores and in the bookstores of nursing and medical schools), "forceps" (really scissored tongs from the grocery store), a box of adhesive bandages, tongue depressors from a drugstore, and a flashlight.

Miniature cars and trucks. Most hobby and toy shops carry collections of small, quality vehicles with tiny doors that open and shut. Make your own set of three models - perhaps a fire truck, an ambulance, and a car. A fun addition to these would be a green felt cloth with a fabric "road" glued onto it, and miniature trees and stop signs from a hobby store that carries train set accessories.

Blackboard. School supply stores and catalogs offer a variety of small, easy-to-use boards that have their own stands for use on a table. Most double as a magnetic board and bulletin board as well. Include a selection of colored chalks, an eraser, and a sponge for cleaning. If the board is magnetic, put in a set of magnetic letters, numbers, or decorative refrigerator magnets.

Dollhouse. Select a few simple, plain wooden rooms, or make one yourself. Or buy an unfinished wooden shelf and make some of its sections papered and carpeted dollhouse rooms, and other sections garages for storing trucks and vehicles. Look for simple, unbreakable furniture sets or include little boxes and spools for kids to make their own furniture. Add a tiny doll family for pretend play or make one out of clothespins.

Small gifts and party favors. Other ideas include: a hand puppet, a gyroscope, a yo-yo, a wooden paddle with a ball on a rubber band, an egg of Silly Putty with a comic book for "stealing" pictures, a tiny, bisque baby doll, a set of marbles in a bag, a flashlight, a harmonica, a kazoo, a mouth harp (from music stores), a small stapler, a paper punch, a ream of inexpensive copy paper, a cellophane tape dispenser, and a collection of colored pencils or markers.

For more information on toys, see the following articles in past issues of Mothering: "Why I Make My Own Educational Toys," no. 25; "Top Ten Children's Games," no. 80.

This article originally appeared in Mothering no. 29, Fall 1983. It was updated for this anniversary issue.

Sandy Jones, who has a master's degree in psychology, is the author of The Consumer Reports Guide to Baby Products and other books for parents. She lives in North Carolina and has a daughter, Marcie (22).