Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Lets talk about toys :)

Actually, it has been sort of backwards for us. DD3 never put things in her mouth as a baby (not even food ;)), and only rarely did so as a toddler. We had all sorts of teethers for her, but she was just totally uninterested in them. NOW that she's 3, and knows all about choking hazards, I catch her once in a while pretending that some small object is food, putting it into her mouth, and running around with it in there. Of course now that she's 3, there's also no way of keeping choking hazards away from her. We just try to remind her not to put things in her mouth that she could choke on and not to run with anything (even food) in her mouth.

Melissa and Doug makes lacing beads, different kinds. Here is one, and if you scroll down you can see some of their other products. I like there stuff for DD2. we don't have the lacing beads yet, but I know she would like them.

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Wooden-27-Piece/dp/B000GIJ4Y4/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_c

She is into dollhouses, and pretend foods and stuff, and stuffed animals and books. She likes Mrs. Potato head and all the little accessories, and enjoys playing with that. She also has the Parents Bristle blocks, twirly tots...which she likes and got at Christmas (although they weren't that expensive when we got them)

http://www.target.com/Parents-Brist...ents%20Bristle%20Blocks%20Twirlie%20Tots

Re: games she just started playing Hi Ho cherrio and Cariboo.

Ahhh, memories! I second many of the toys already mentioned. Thomas tracks were a huge hit around 2-3, but DS5 has brought them out regularly since then. We found lots of deals on used Thomas items on ebay. We added some fun Brio stuff along the way, from the Network collection (imaginary creatures that live inside your computer): Brio Network Brio and Thomas are compatible.

Playdoh was always fun for DS. We added supplies from the kitchen, e.g. cookie cutters, garlic press.

The sandbox outside provided hours of entertainment.

Playfoam is quite fun, foam sculpting beads. PlayFoam

We searched really hard for a recording cassette player for kids, and found the Fisher Price Tuff Stuff cassette recorder with voice changer. We recorded some of DS's favorite books, or just told stories, and he dragged that around everywhere. And the voice changer was fun too, especially when you play back your silly recordings. You'd have to find it on eBay now, I expect. (Maybe there's a kid recordable cd player now?) He's been using it now for books on tape. FP Cassette Recorder

We gave DS the little legos just before 3, I think. He never really put things in his mouth (except a few book bindings as an infant), so that wasn't a concern. Lego is his all-time favorite toy. He didn't care too much about the bigger versions.

My mom has a dollhouse that we certainly do not call a dollhouse or DS would never play with it, but he loves that and the little creatures inside it. (My mom has little troll dolls and other little funny animals and aliens.)

Oh, can't forget scissors, glue, and tape (and of course cardboard boxes). DS still loves to cut things up. When he was younger, I'd give him old magazines and such, and he made collages.

When DS was around 2, he loved Blue's Clues videos with Steve. That reminds me, I need to put that collection on ebay...

Playmobil...playmobil and more playmobil!!! We got the hospital for our girls and it is so amazing. We play as a family for hours and they play independently and with their. It is a fabulous realistic toy that encourages imagination and learning.

Thank you for all the ideas!

I got DD those Melissa and Doug lacing beads, she is 25mo and is able to use them. One new thing that she adores is this alphabet "puzzle" also from Melissa and Doug

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250182612&sr=8-1

I think it is great for kids who know alphabets but don't read yet. For early readers it would get boring. She plays with it forever. Only thing she complains is how there is no place for some of the letters. She tells me she needs more words especially some which have M or Z in them... Then I need to come and help her to write something with those letters.

When did your kids start to play with a dollhouse? I'm thinking getting her one maybe for Christmas, she would be 2.5 then.

DD2 just turned 2 a few months ago. She has been playing with a dollhouse for a while now, since before she was 2. She plays out little scenarios and the people go on trips to the park, etc. She also adds herself as a character at times. She will line up all the people and get in line with them and sing with them. It is quite entertaining. Right now she has the busy day home and that seems to be good enough for her now. I might get something a little bigger later on.

Mr W has been role playing with his toys since 9 mos, ie "racing" his cars around on the floor complete with sound effects.

He got a cave and jungle set at 1 year and liked to put the various figurines in poses on it from the very first day.

He really started role playing with his stuffed toys at 14 months complete with sound effects, ie wolf howling, cat meowing, etc. Lately he has tried to "feed" them and will sometimes talk to them and laugh at his own jokes.

I am not sure if that is what you are looking for.

DD does a lot of role play with her kitchen, dolls, soft animals and builds "homes" for smaller animals and cars. I was just wondering if at this age a real doll house would give something more than her self build "houses". Maybe we will get one and try it, I just don't want to get everything now so we would have some gift idea's for her later.

With Christmas fast approaching, I am thinking about what to get DS11mo for Christmas. I would like to get him something that will last more than a couple of months. He likes books/flashcards/sing songs/to role play his lego animals with us/to remote-control his RC cars. I would love to get him (and myself) a train set, but I've also heard it can get very expensive buying accessories and such. Any other ideas?

HelloBaby- look into the Neurosmith phonics tiles. My DD loved them from 1yr right up to today at 4 and 1/2.

Very hard to find, but worth the effort of checking ebay.

:-)