For small(ish) kids there is a certain correlation between play- and clean-up-time. If there was a toy which deviated, it would become blockbuster and there are hardly any such. Electronic screens are popular as nannies because of this.
Personally I choose all types in rotation. One toy of high duration is Play-Doh but afterwards needs a cleaning machine.
Electronics are popualar also because there's a higher proportion of only child and parents have only so much time to dedicate to child play