The toys at Bubby’s house never go out of style, but now and then, it’s time for a restock. A few fresh finds to keep the eineklach excited

Build a Fort

While I’m a fan of most Lakeshore products, this one’s a real winner. The Ultimate Fort Builder is an assortment of durable poles and kid-friendly connectors to create and build, providing hours of fun. You can even throw a blanket over the top for the full fort experience (with Savta’s permission, of course!). (Ask your LOR to what extent building is allowed on Shabbos and Yom Tov.)

The Ultimate Fort Builder / Lakeshore Learning

Think Big, Build Bigger

These wooden blocks by Kapla are an oldie but goodie. With their practically infinite lifespan, these durable planks are made to withstand the absolute roughest play. The guidebook included gives ideas for different constructions, and you can also team up the grandkids to compete for the tallest tower, spiral, pyramid, etc. As with most building toys, the more pieces the merrier — though these are rather pricey, so you may want to “build” your collection over time. While these can come in assorted colors, the standard set is the best value for the price.

KAPLA Wooden Construction kit 200 Bricks / KAPLA, Amazon

Creativity on a Roll

This is an absolute favorite at my mother’s home! The Marble Run by Picasso Tiles comes with an assortment of magnetic tiles, tubes, pipes, and marbles to encourage creative building and design. This set is compatible with most magnetic tile brands, in case you’d like additional pieces to help with the structure of your build (I’d stick with the Picasso Tiles brand — they’re the best magnetic tile knock-off on the market). I’d suggest at least the 100-piece set for ample play. While all ages can get involved, bring in at least one eight-and-up for when construction gets tricky.

PicassoTiles 100pc Magnetic Marble Run Set / PicassoTiles, Amazon

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Get ready to be blown away by this adorable ice cream counter! This toy scores a ten in creative design, coupled with outstanding quality, and it’s the ultimate in pretend play. This does take up a lot of space in the toy closet, but it’s a great alternative to your dated and space-consuming play kitchen. There are endless options of playsets sold by this brand online, so find the one that fits your budget. They also sell a more compact and simpler version of the ice cream counter for those who find this a little pricey (but hey, at least the calories are free!).

Melissa & Doug Wooden Cool Scoops Ice Creamery / Melissa & Doug, Amazon

The Classic Game of Connection — Only Bigger

Rest assured, this life-sized game can be used outside as well as in — so if you’re not the Bubby with a basement, your grandkids can enjoy this succah-side, too! This item is durable, weatherproof, and will hold up to lots of wear and play. While this is just your traditional Connect Four game, something about its super size will have you showing a competitive streak, too!

Connect 4 Giant Edition / Costco

Codes, Clues, and Competition

Here’s a fun family game to help get those teens off of Grandma’s couch! Don’t let the term “word game” on the outside of the box throw you off — this is not another Scrabble or Bananagrams that requires spelling masters. This game is about word associations and deductive thinking. Codenames works great in larger groups, and gets players thinking and strategizing while creating unintentional hilarity.

Codenames / CGE Czech Games Edition, Amazon

Ask the Toy Maven!

My son is 11, sports-driven, and competitive. The summer is definitely his season to shine, but with winter on the way, he struggles to find things that he enjoys. We’re limited on space, so foosball, ping-pong, or air hockey tables aren’t options. Any suggestions aside from puzzles, board games, or our over-the-door basketball hoop?

Thanks,

Borderline Desperate Boy Mom

Dear Borderline Desperate Boy Mom,

I have the perfect idea! Speed Stacks were very popular when I was a kid, but they haven’t made a comeback (yet!). In my day, there was even a whole activity/sport designated to them in sleepaway camp. These stacking cups are great for hand-eye coordination and will appeal to his competitive side as he tries to beat his own score.

This set comes with the signature nonslip mat and timer, though you may want to purchase additional cup sets (sold separately) to stir up some real competition with siblings and friends. There’s a video that teaches the cycle to follow and the creative ways to use the cups.

While my kids are a bit too young to get into these just yet, I challenge you to be the trendsetter and bring them back. Happy stacking!

Adeena

Speed Stacks Sport Stacking Competitor / Speed Stacks, Amazon

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 961)