10 Classic Games or Toys for Kids

The Top 10 Classic Games or Toys that Kids Today Should be Playing With Revised for 2017

In 2012, What To Do With The Kids® asked parents to submit their list of the top classic games or toys they felt that kid’s today should be playing with but this time we decided to ask toy and game industry professionals for their opinions and many of the choices have not changed.

A number of people suggested toys and games for specific age groups but for this list we wanted an overall view of what the kids should be playing with today. Brand name products are listed but for many, these are considered to be a “classic” game or toy.

Of all the suggestions made by the industry pros, very few needed batteries and not one suggestion involved a screen of any kind.  Most emphasized the importance of play and how it helps in a kid’s development.  Cassidy Smith, National Sales Manager at Hape Toys commented, “I truly believe the more we can have parents pull their children away from screen play and let them be kids again the better. Kids need to learn through play but what a lot of parents don’t realize is that it’s actually good for kids to be bored on occasion too.”

Legos top our list and it seems that its popularity has never been higher.  Andrea Bergstein, Founder and CEO of Scribblitt, Kids Publishing commented, “Lego develops thinking in 3D, helps organizational abilities and planning as well as creativity.”  Building blocks were second on our list but this can also include all types of building and construction type of toys.  Beth Muehlenkamp, Brand Manager at Playmonster said “Early construction toys that are well designed and built, promote STEM, quiet play, dexterity, spatial awareness and fine motor skills.”

David Katzner, Founder and President of The National Parenting Center commented, “Active play is an essential part of growing up, toys like Frisbees, balls for kicking or throwing, etc.” The newest addition to our list is balls which includes the generic utility ball along with those associated with sports such as basketball, tennis or soccer. 

The What To Do With The Kids® Top 10 Classic Games or Toys that Kids Today Should be Playing With according to toy and game industry professionals: 

1.  Lego 
2.  Building Blocks
3.  Dolls
4.  Scrabble 
5.  Monopoly
6.  Jump/Skipping Rope
7.  Chutes and Ladders
8.  Assorted Balls 
9.  Chinese Checkers
10. Jigsaw Puzzles  

This top 10 list was created with the participation of a number of game and toy industry professionals and they include:

Andrea Bergstein, Founder/CEO, Scribblitt Kids Publishing 
Mary Couzin, President, Chicago Toy & Game Group 
Ev Johnson, Founder,  (www.werfungames.com)
David Katzner, Founder/President, The National Parenting Center
Jenny Kile, Founder, Kardtects Building Cards
Beth Muehlenkamp, Brand Manager, Playmonster  
Brian Presley, President, What To Do With The Kids 
Cassidy Smith, National Sales Manager, Hape Toys
Rachel Urso, CEO, Celebrity Baby Trends Public Relations 

What To Do With The Kids® is the website that adults go to when they want to know what to do with their kids. The website features games, crafts, activities, party ideas, the What To Do With The Kids® Minute Podcast and is the home of SitterAdvantage™, the app that makes sitters and nannies better.  Visit us at www.whattodowiththekids.com.