There are lots of toys that spark the child's imagination that don't require batteries and are not plastic.

Tinker toys, Alphabet Blocks, wooden trains and the like. For girls you can get cloth dolls and wooden doll houses.

Most toddlers just like a plain old big box they can make into a fort or run through and all kinds of imaginary games.

Colorful sheets makes a very pretty princess and also makes a good fort to hide in.

There are so many things that children can play with that don't include plastic or batteries, except of course their own batteries of ther very active imaginations.

Don't forget the pots and pans and wooden spoons. Who wouldn't want to be a drummer in their later years.

Play hide and seek with them and other games you can make up as you go. Children need the interaction from their parent's and others as well. Invite a few of their friends over have have a party!

Girls just love tea parties and boys like to play astronaut and all children love boxes. The bigger the better. Find someone who has just gotten a washer or something else that comes in a huge box. That is all you need, the children supply the rest.

Go and have fun with your children!

Older children can put together Lincoln Logs (the original wooden ones, not the plastic ones), and Erector Sets. Go out with them at night and watch the night sky. Go on nature walks. The only thing that you need for that is your walking shoes and a great imagination and all those answers to questions such as ....what is that:...... and why?.

 Simple Hand Puppets that you can make yourself.  They can be of paper Lunch Bags.  Let the children help you.  It is in the making that is fun.,  Add string, yarns, felt, other paper cutouts, glitter, any scrap material.  Use your imagination.  Or you can make them like the ones on this side. 

You can also make a stage with a large box and you cut out a window.  How you decorate it is up to you.

I remember doing this as a child.  We would put on a carnival or play for the neighborhood kids to raise money for UNICEF.  It was the older kids putting on the event for the younger ones.  The adults really didn't help at all--only suppying the yard to have it in.

I wonder, do they still have those things anymore?