Best toys for 18+ month olds?

My boys will be 18 months later this month. I am starting to think about Christmas already, but money is tight this year since I am no longer working. So, if you had only $150 to buy toys for your sons for Christmas what would you buy? I am trying to get the most bang for the buck in terms of what toys boys really generally like this year. So far, I've bought some puzzles, books and a couple Road Ripper cars that they love. Any other suggestions?

 

My boys are almost 4 years old and have two toys that they have continuously enjoyed since getting them for their second birthday. One is Thomas the Train series from Learning Curve. The other is a Radio Flyer ride-on car. These two toys were definitely worth the money because they play with them so much and still continues to interest them after two years.

 

When my boys were that age, I invested in some good quality trucks, cars, tractors and trains. My boys continued to play with those almost until a few years ago. I bought larger sizes, like Tonka and John Deere. Though they aren't super cheap, they aren't overly expensive either. The quality is good and you get many years of use out of them. Even my twin girls have started playing with these toys.

 

We have a Holiday Gift Ideas sticky at the top of this forum. You might find some great suggestions in there.