Non-Tech Toys that Kids’ll Use for Years

Is Christmas shopping on your mind? Before you jump to the conclusion that you should get just the things on your kid’s list, consider these non-tech toys that your kids will actually play with:

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There’s a lot that goes into getting ready for Christmas. Nobody wants a super stressful Christmas.

So… if you’re in toy buying mode, I have some excellent non-tech (non-screen) toys that your kids will use for years and years to come.

LEGO & Building Type Toys

I have bought LEGO and building type toys for years. Years later, they are being used.

This could be LEGOs, but it could also be magnetic type toys or other creative building or constructing toys. There’s a lot out there.

These types of toys….

• give the kids experiences,
• they learn to follow directions, and
• some life skills are actually learned here.

On top of that, they can build and re-build. There’s excitement of the initial build and then there’s the forever play of re-build.

My kids love getting their LEGOs and following the directions for the kit. Then, they will take it apart and re-build for years.

Playing with LEGOs and building toys are a much better use of your kids time. Firstly, they can play it with each other, they gain concentration skills, and it’s super satisfying.

One of the biggest thing it does it build a life skill in the self-management category. This is the life skill of delayed gratification.

Building things take time and effort. When kids can’t figure it out, they have to have perseverance.

I often hear cries of frustration and shattering LEGOs because they couldn’t quite make it right. Then they keep on and figure out a new way to do it.

These are excellent toys. I highly recommend.

Dress Up & Pretend Play Toys

Dress up and pretend play is a major topic for me. It’s a much better use of money than other things, and it’s great for so many other things.

Dress up can include costumes, masks, silly hats, paraphernalia kids can play with (boys: arrows, swords, lightsabers, etc.)

Think about what you kids like to watch. What are their favorite characters? Get some dress up things in these things is an excellent way to get your kids off screens. It’s a great way to get them playing.

Dress up and pretend play provide an imagination landscape. They allow them to really dive into play.

Many times, we have kids over playing in the pool or whatever. They always end up inside playing in our massive dress-up containers. These are macro-organized. They always end up dressed up and running around the house having the best time.

This is an excellent use of your Christmas budget for your kids. They will play with these toys for your years.

Part of the reason why I love these toys so much is because they really help our kids build life skills (outside of just play). Play actually does build kids life skills, but this helps even more.

Through pretend play kids engage, learn, and grow. So much happens in a child when they play- instead of being entertained.

We want to get our kids toys that encourage then to play, not toys that cause them to just sit and not play.

Books

I know that books in themselves wouldn’t be the whole gift. They would open up their present and be like, “Why though, mom?”

However, books are an excellent addition to Christmas gifts. They would go in their stocking or it could be a great idea to finish out whatever you budget is per child.

Books are “non-tech toys” that kids will use for years.

My daughter has read “The Little House on the Prairie” series three times or more. I’m talking about the whole series.

Book series make great Christmas gifts. Kids will read and re-read them for years. Books can also be shared between siblings as well.

Giving cases of books or book series can be quite pricy so they can definitely help you fill out your Christmas budget. Plus, the book cases are easy to wrap up and put under the tree.

Board Games

Board games make excellent non-tech toys for Christmas gifts.

Now, I was an only child so I didn’t grow up playing many boards games. Mainly because it was just me. However, my husband did and he loves them. My kids love board games. We have a shocking number of them. I have them in a covered bookshelf because they aren’t that well organized. I’ll tell you why- they get used almost every day.

Read: 30 + Board Game Gifts for Kids by Category and Age

Life skills can be learned through playing board games. Board games teach kids life skills in the relationships & community category.

Kids learn to…

• get along,
• be gracious winners,
• not be sore losers,
• practicing taking turns,
• wait patiently,
• be happy for each other, and
• more.

Board games are an excellent investment to facilitate family time.

Even though I don’t live board games, I like to be around when the kids are playing them. I love to see them getting into them together.

Experiences or Longer Lasting Gifts

I encourage you to get the kids something long lasting for Christmas. Most of the time, this could be an experience. Something that they could use through the year.

Maybe it’s season passes to a…

• museum,
• the local pool,
• a theme park, or
• the zoo.

Season passes give them a gift (of non-tech toys) that they will use throughout the whole year.

This type of gift could also be something that they might use throughout the entire year. Things like:

• a bike
• skateboard
• scooter,
• a drone,
• a remote control car,
• a little John Deer ride around, or
• other things that fit into your lifestyle.

When you’re buying a gift, think of the experience that it’s going to give them. Christmas is a great time to find something that’s not only a toy- but an experience.

This allows them to use it, love it, and wear it out.

Planning for Christmas

Firstly, I like to get the kid’s Christmas gifts early. I definitely don’t promise to get them all the things on their lists, but I do ask the kids to throw out all the things that they want.

Then, I put them into my Christmas planner that helps me budget. Now I have these things ready to plan.

When it’s time I use my guidelines (non-tech toys) to go through and decide (based on our budget) what they will get. I usually pick a few things off their list and they get to open those on Christmas. Lastly, I also get them some things that I feel will give them good experiences throughout the year.

In conclusion, if your kids are always reaching their tablet or screen and you want to pull them back– think about getting them some non-tech toys that they can really dive into and use in the year to come.