We have just survived another Christmas, and as usual, our little ones loved their presents, and loved their sisters presents even more. It can be quite costly at this time of the year, particularly with six girls who are all different, yet all the same. It occurred to me that sometimes we spend too much money on them at this time of the year.

I remember my childhood with some fond memories. Christmas was not a time of abundance, yet waking up on Christmas morning to find the bottom of the bed packed with new things to play with was always a thrill. I also remember that, while toys were great to play with, we also made our own fun.

These days we seem to have forgotten the simpler things in life. Here are five simple toys that every child should have, and they wont cost the earth. In fact, they'll hardly cost a cent.

DIRT

Yes, good old fashioned dirt. Some medicos even recommend a good play in the dirt. Research is showing that dirt helps a child build an immune system, and that children who do play in the dirt have fewer allergies in life. Besides, dirt is fun. You can build with it. Add a little water and you have mud. There is just so much that a child can do with dirt. I know mine love it, they even try to bring it inside - I do draw the line there, it's definitely an outside toy.

STICKS

Yes, I know a stick can be a weapon, however, it also has many other uses. In the good old days, you could tie some line and a hook and go fishing. These days, you can draw in the dirt, play sword fights, and knock the heads of long grass. A stick is the most useful toy a child can have - and they come in all shapes and sizes. I suggest another outside only toy.

STRING

String goes with stick, and many other things. Tie said string to stick, attach paper at other end of string, and you have a flying object. String can be used to tie things up (but not each other), it can be used to join to cans to make a telephone, it can even be used to raise and lower items if they have a cubby house.

BOXES

Be they cardboard or timber, boxes are always great to play with, or in if they are big enough. I know I get frustrated when my little ones open their toys, admire them for a moment, then spend the rest of the day playing with the packaging. There's a message their I think. Boxes can be used to hide treasures, carry things, make into boats, or homes to place in the dirt - possibly with the aid of string and sticks. I am sure you have a box or two at home somewhere.

TUBES

We go through toilet paper as quick as I can buy it. That's okay, the cardboard inner tube makes a great toy - the girls even fight over who gets the next one. It's not just toilet paper these days - cling wrap, alfoil, and many other kitchen and laundry products have cardboard inner tubes, and kids just love to play with them.

Not happy with those five free toys? Add some that nature provides. Pine cones, nuts, seeds, flowers, long grass stems - kids can always find uses for them. Add old clothing, old hats and shoes, even old sheets and blankets (they make a great cubby house apparantly) and they'll be in heaven. It helps to develop their imagination, it teaches them to be creative, and drives us parent crazy - but then, that's kids for you.

If your kids get bored over the Christmas holiday period, arm them with a few of those free toys, then watch them spend hours having fun.

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.