I expect certain things to get broken easily like shovels and pails, hoola hoops and balls. So I usually don't spend a lot on them. As for some other things I like the "old school" LT shopping cart, kitchen, water tables, lawn mowers etc. I find the ones from 3-10 years ago were made with a LOT more durable and thicker plastic and tend to not break. I also use bean bags, mega blocks and metal pots and pans.