My kiddos' favorite things!

My kiddos have some items that are LOVED by ALL (parents, kiddos, their friends). These items are priced reasonably, hold up well, and well fun!! The tour of the faves of the youngest Cowart Clan Members begin:

1. Duplo Legos-
These are pricey, if you buy new ~ but are great gifts from grandparents and I bought a tote full on Craigslist and then just added bleach water to the whole tote, dried and like new. These are indestructible. They last forever. All children like these, especially if you have a lot to ensure that each child has enough to build. Really imaginative, and addictive (parents included!) The best feature was the DADDY draw. Notice who is in the picture building with the boys. All FOUR boys build and build. This was the giant masterpiece!
Corey starting Gavin and Grant early.

We received even some of the Thomas the Train Duplo tracks, and with enough trains and tracks they liked them. We like the PLAIN Duplo the best.

2. Coloring Castle.

$14.99 at Target. We love these. They play in them, do their dress-up, and decorate them.

This keeps them busy FOREVER!!!

Seriously, they love it! OK, start with color crayons and markers, then allow paints (finger, water color, etc.) , then I let my kids attack it with glitter glue (another Cowart Clan fave), then we take our stickers to it. So fun and imaginative! Lots of use for the price! Enough space for each child in a family with lots of small children.

Here we are on Day 1 with crayons and markers in the playroom. It goes to the garage for painting and glue!

3. Masks from JO-ANN's for, WAIT FOR IT, $1!!!

My kids love them! I get a girlfriend together and we do a pre-school craft, book and handwriting page every other week. This week we did P for Penguins!

4. Non-toys: My boys like things that aren't toys, stuff that is around the house and not necessarily toys. These items are: flashlights (cheap), umbrellas - we finally got 3 kid ones (for safety reasons) from Kidorable because it is rainy here often, couch pillows to throw and jump on, and blankets for wrapping up their babies or building forts.

5. Dress-up ~ maybe pricey, but after Halloween they are clearanced. We own a chef, fireman, pirate, cowboy, Indian, and dog. They LOVE them and they are imaginative and not messy.

OH! And we also have 2 SCARY polar dress-ups too!

6. 3 Drawer Organizer by KidKraft ~ Nantucket- This was pricey, but worth it! We have a playroom, and then a bedroom all 3 boys share. Organizing all the shoes was just too much, so I splurged on this 3 drawer shoe box. The boys love it. Finding shoes is easy to get, separated, easy to put away and then they sit on the bench to put ON the shoes. Which is great because we have double bunkbeds, a twin dresser, Gabe's dresser, a nightstand and now a shoe organizer! It is clean, tidy and cozy! Love, love, love!

7. Double Bunkbeds - Cheap from IKEA, and they aren't tall!

My boys love monkeyin' around on them. So do all kids who come over. The double bunkbeds allow for a close bond between all 3 boys, since they are so close in age. Corey and I were very concerned about it being THE TWINS and GABE. Now they are all 3 partners in crime and all 3 are best buds. Sleeping together is fun for all of our monkey boys! Plus it is hard to be scared at night, because they aren't alone and just crawl in bed with their brother.
8. Games - These are the only 3 you should buy!! Kidding~ kinda! These games are the BEST!

I love BUSYTOWN the best, it keeps all the kids busy. Everyone wins, or everyone loses. Most turns are a group effort, so the kids don't have to wait for their turn - losing interest in between. LOVE THIS! Super fun!

The Ladybug Game was/and is my boys' fave for the past 3 years! Such good math skills.

Uno Moo! is a crack-up and simplifies the UNO game. They don't have to "hold" the cards. Great color practice, and just jolly fun! Our games always end up loud, wild and with lots of laughing.

NONE of these games require reading! PRAISE GOD! :)


9. Kid Bible ~ My kids enjoy the picture, pace and writing of this kid Bible. We have tried M*A*N*Y!

10. Shapeable Foam Soap from Bath and Body Works (seasonal)! $4 a bottle.

I PROMISE your kiddos will be OVER THE MOON for this! Best purchase you make in a while!

I bought 4 bottles at Christmas. A bottle lasts FOR-EVAH folks. You can thank me for the Head's Up on this later once you become as obsessed about it as the Cowart Clan!

11. Books ~ Little Critter by Mercer Mayer Yeah, we have a lot and I am still trying to buy more. Kids love these from 18 months - at least 2nd grade (my students still loved these!)

12. Books - Berenstain Bears We have plenty of these too. Both little critter and the B. Bears cover so many child issues.

12. KidKraft Table ~Nantucket~ with BENCH! Seriously, all kid tables are for family's with 2 children, and come with 2 chairs. I love this table. We use it constantly for coloring, pre-school, snacks and whenever company comes! One of the best features is that it is sturdy enough for my husband or myself to sit on.

Good products are hard to find. Ones that are affordable, stand up to kid's use/abuse, and are loved by parents as well. So these are some of our faves from the Cowart Clan to you and yours.

So, what are your kiddo's favorite items? Best games, books, toys, furniture, crafts, etc.? I would love to hear some of your favorites!!!! Please!!