There is a temptation each Christmas to purchase toys that offer instant satisfaction for kids. There are toys each Christmas season that are heavily promoted, by toy stores, manufacturers and by the media in magazines and on TV. Often these toys can last for a few short weeks and either break or kids end up losing interest in them. Either way this is bad news for not only your wallet but also for your kids and invariably the environment.

Toys with a short interest or shelf life do nothing to help kids learn or grow. They simply satisfy an itch for a short period of time; excite kids and their friends and also satisfy the balance sheets of large and influential toy promoters - that is until the next popular and transient toy product comes along. The latest toy then becomes a thing of the past and a new toy comes along. Old toys are discarded, thrown on the ever-growing scrap heap. Buying into this cycle of consumer driven toys can drain families and the earth in many ways.

So what can you look for if you want to purchase your child toys but also want them to last longer than a season? Look for toys that are durable both in construction and in interest. The best toys stay in the family for a long time because they are made well and will withstand years of play but they also last kids through different ages and interests.

Often times these toys aren't licensed. They are not driven by an outside franchise or storyline, not stamped by the latest movie or TV series that may entrance this month but in a few months down the track will be replaced by something new. Non-licensed toys are also open to imaginative play.

Kids can put their own ideas into the toys, their own stories and not be driven by an outside story that will pass as a trend. Often if you look at the "top ten toys for Christmas" you will see the vast majority are based on movies or TV series. Will they still hold interest in a few months?

Some examples of toys that last are Playmobil, Lego and Calico Critters. All three offer opportunities for imaginative and creative play and are well made. These three brands have also been around for decades, engaging kids with the same principles for many generations. Invariably they will last long enough to be passed on to more generations who will still find them fascinating for years to come.