Buy It or Skip It #2: My EMC Toy Rule for Shopping the Walmart Toy Aisle

If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about the Empty Mug Club. It’s my unofficial club for parents who dream of one simple luxury: finishing their coffee while it’s still hot.

The funny thing is, it has very little to do with coffee.

An empty mug is really a symbol of independent play. It’s the result of children who are engaged, creative, and confident enough to entertain themselves while you finally get five uninterrupted minutes. That’s the kind of childhood I want for my girls, and it’s the kind of home I’m constantly trying to build.

As I was walking through the Walmart toy aisle, I realized the same initials work perfectly for another philosophy I use when shopping for toys.

EMC.

When I’m deciding whether a toy deserves a spot in our home, I ask myself three questions.

• Is it EASY?
• Does it build MOTOR SKILLS?
• Does it encourage CREATIVITY?

The more boxes a toy checks, the better chance it has of earning a place in our playroom.

E is for Easy

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that even an amazing toy won’t get played with if it’s difficult to access, frustrating to clean up, or requires an adult every time it’s pulled off the shelf.

When I say “easy,” I mean a toy that’s easy to store, easy to clean up, and easy enough for children to use independently. That independence matters. I don’t want every play session to start with, “Mom, can you help me?” Instead, I want toys my girls can confidently grab, enjoy, and put away on their own.

Some of my favorites from Walmart that fit this category include

1. The Kidnocular Binoculars, which are simple enough for even young children to use during outdoor adventures or pretend play.
2. I also love the Little Tikes Pop ‘n Pitch Trainer because it sets up quickly, stores easily, and encourages kids to keep practicing without needing constant help.
3. The Bluey Hide & Seek Game is another favorite because it’s simple to understand, quick to set up, and easy to put back on the shelf when playtime is over.

On the flip side, I tend to avoid toys with dozens of tiny pieces that require a complicated setup or take longer to clean up than they do to play with. Those toys usually create more stress than fun.

M is for Motor Building

The best toys don’t just keep kids busy. They help them develop important skills while they’re having fun. Whenever possible, I look for toys that strengthen either fine motor or gross motor skills because those are the building blocks for so many everyday tasks.

1. The Melissa & Doug Dentist Play Set is one of my favorites because it naturally strengthens fine motor skills as children squeeze, twist, grip, and manipulate the different dental tools. Better yet, it invites imaginative role play at the same time.
2. The Little Tikes Pop ‘n Pitch Trainer encourages gross motor development through throwing, swinging, chasing, and coordination, making it a toy that grows alongside children as their skills improve.
3. Even the Bluey Hide & Seek Game gets kids moving. Instead of sitting still pressing buttons, they’re searching, hiding, listening, and exploring. Movement is built right into the fun.

C is for Creative

This might be the category I care about most. I want toys that ask children to think instead of simply reacting. Creative toys don’t tell kids exactly what to do. They give them the tools to invent stories, solve problems, pretend, experiment, and imagine.

1. The Learning Resources Cash Register is a great example because it quickly becomes much more than a cash register. One day it’s a grocery store. The next day it’s a bakery, a restaurant, a lemonade stand, or a library checkout desk. The toy stays the same, but the play changes every single time.
2. The Bluey Hide & Seek Game also encourages creativity because children aren’t just watching lights flash or listening to sounds. They’re actively participating, creating movement, and engaging with the game in different ways.

This is also one of the biggest reasons I continue to avoid loud, battery-operated toys. When a toy sings, talks, flashes, and directs every step, it often leaves very little room for children to contribute their own ideas. The toy performs while the child watches.

I’d much rather choose toys that hand the creative role back to my kids.

The EMC Test

The next time you’re standing in the Walmart toy aisle wondering what to buy, try running each toy through the EMC test.

• Is it EASY for your child to use, store, and clean up?
• Will it help build MOTOR SKILLS through meaningful play?
• Does it encourage CREATIVITY instead of replacing it?

The toys that check all three boxes are usually the ones that become favorites in our house. They’re the ones my girls continue reaching for months later, and they’re the ones that make independent play possible, which means they’re also the toys that help me earn an empty coffee mug every now and then.

At the end of the day, that’s really what the Empty Mug Club is all about. Not perfectly independent children or magically uninterrupted mornings, but thoughtfully choosing resources that help our kids play well, learn naturally, and give parents a few extra moments to simply enjoy their coffee while it’s still warm. ✌🏼