Whenever your young child’s birthday or other holiday approaches, you may be astounded by the seemingly endless number of toy options out there. Every year, blogs and newspapers alike post lists of the most popular kids toys for Christmas, and I don't know if it's just me, but they've become remarkably complicated and expensive. Reading about the latest gadgets reminds me of when I was a child, and my parents went through that phase of trying to be "hip" about kids' trends. But despite the Giga Pets and Teddy Ruxpins, it was always the simplest, most durable toys that held me and my siblings' attention the longest. I've noticed something similar when I'm around kids now a toddler will turn down a fancy doll that sings and dances for something as simple as a spoon or a keychain. Here are a few toys that have been around forever, ones that still manage to capture the hearts and minds of kids everywhere.

1. Etch-a-Sketch
Etch-a-Sketch was first invented by a French artist in the 1950s, and the toy idea was eventually bought by the Ohio Art Company and introduced to the US market in the 1960 holiday season. Since then, Etch-a-Sketches, simple tablets that enable users to make and erase drawings by turning two wheels and shaking the device to start over, have remained popular. Even though different versions of the Etch-a-Sketch have been introduced over the years, including and Etch-a-Sketch iPhone and iPad app, the original version of the toy continues to be a hit among kids.

2. Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head, another toy first introduced in the 50s, did not originally come with a plastic potato body. Instead, the toy was a kit with various body parts and accessories that could be attached to real potatoes or other vegetables. Eventually, government regulation forced the toy distributor to include the fake potato body. Mr. Potato Head was the first toy ever to be advertised on children's television, and has sold millions of sets worldwide. Although many incarnations of the original Mr. Potato Head exist, including additional family members with different features and characteristics, you can still get the original set for ten dollars. It's a wonderful interactive tool for kids who are learning key body part vocabulary words.

3. Silly Putty
Silly Putty is probably one of the cheapest best-selling toys of all time. Although the inventor of Silly Putty has been disputed, the silicone substance was created in the 1940s. A marketing consultant saw its potential as a toy and pursued the opportunity aggressively. It first came out on the mass market in the fifties and was an instant hit with children aged 6-12, despite being originally marketed toward older consumers. Silly Putty went global in the 60s, enjoying popularity across Europe. In 1968, it even made a trip to the moon. Although Silly Putty can get messy at times, it's a great, non-toxic option that molds, bounces, and picks up print.

4. Rubick's Cube
The Rubick's Cube is a toy that serves both as mind-exercising puzzle and a form of endless entertainment. A Rubick's Cube is a cube with differently colored faces that get mixed up when rows, set on pivots, are manipulated by the user. The object of the game is to restore the cube to its original position, with each face of the cube being one solid color. Although not quite as old as some of the toys listed here (it was invented in 1974), the game has attained something of a cult status and has even spawned international competitions. This is a great toy option for long card or plane rides.

Next time you find yourself needing to provide for your children's entertainment, ditch the complicated toys and go for some on this list. You'll definitely be saving some money, and you'd be surprised by how much fun they can be, despite being somewhat old-fashioned. After all, there's a reason these toys have withstood the test of time.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of nursing colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.