Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Birthday present for two yr old

Hi,

It might have been around 2 that we got DS several of the characters from the starfall "store" (They sell stuffed Gus the Duck, Zac the Rat, etc, click on the store button). That was a big hit

At 3.3 he is not still using many things from 2 but among them are the Starfall stuffed animals. Also a dollhouse (a "real" looking one bought used with bins of furniture and a family of bunnies I added). That was a wonderful kind of scaffold for helping him begin to contruct little pretend stories. Also some popup books that were more for older kids but in his interests, he was gentle with them from the start and a year plus later they are mostly intact and still looked at some. Still uses a large collapsible fabric tunnel.

I got a large set of big wood unit blocks from ebay around then and there was no interest then and none since either. And I did get a tricycle not too long after 2, but his gross motor ability (and interest level) is pretty low for his age, he now can make it go, but doesn't find it fun.

DS loves playdoh. At 2 was still sometimes putting things in his mouth and wasn't strong enough to do much with it, supervised though he still enjoyed it a awful lot. I'm glad I did let him play extensively with it then as these days he makes little playdoh worlds with recognizable creatures that I like to take photos of. At 2 it was something we more did together, mostly he'd tell me what to make and I'd make it, but that's okay too, it was another way for him to create his own simple pretend scenarios.

Polly

My son loved this musical instrument rhythm set. When friends come over they still love being a marching band with them. The drums need to be reinforced (they have packing tape over the top at this point - but it has been several years); but they still sound great!!! (warning - it will get loud;)

http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/7920/txt/Musical_Instrument_Rhythm_Set

DD will be 2 soon. We've already picked up a nice doll for her and may get her a balance bike for Christmas. She's really into dolls and does a ton of pretend play with them (we've picked up some accesories for them too). I know she'd be over the moon for a toy kitchen but we might be moving soon so we'd rather wait but I did buy some toy pots and pans and toy food and turned a box into a mini stove using construction paper and she loved it!

Books are always a hit and any art supplies. Her favorite crayons are these: http://www.amazon.com/Stabilo-Woody...ome-garden&qid=1284938533&sr=8-2 (if you google them you can find a lot cheaper prices, though). But, honestly, the vast majority of our days are spent playing with her dolls or reading books.

I've never heard of the wood crayons you linked to but they look interesting. Especially since they are mixable with water and can turn the experience into a watercolor one. DD would love these but wow they are expensive. I did find a link for the set for 19.99.


Stabilo Woody Crayons

We actually found these this summer in Europe and were able to pick them up for 12 EUR. However, DD got completely addicted so we'll have to find somewhere to get them here cheaper! She'll use them to the exclusion of all other crayons/markers/paints. Plus, I found that the colors are really pretty, much better than your standard crayon so they are more fun for me too.

We just got these for our niece: memory game (matching pictures), and one other I can't remember. Blocks make me think of the threading beads, big wooden ones, that are usually fun and help with the motor skills, expressing ideas about shapes and color, etc.

My son is turning 2 in 2 days and we have bought him a kids digital camera, which I think he'll love, as he likes to use mine to take pictures of his toys.

He got a dress-up box at his party on Sat., which I thought was a great idea 'cause we don't have much dress-up stuff and it will encourage him to use his imagination.

He also loves the LeapFrog Scribble and Write, which teaches how to write and draw. Very cool!

A memory game was something else I wanted to try with him, so that might be another option for you. Mr. Potato Head was also a hit at his party.

Finding toys for these kids is especially hard, so good luck!

Kalhuli just reminded me of another toy that was a big hit for DD when she was 2 and under: the doodlepro. It comes in many sizes such as a smaller travel size which is great to take in the car and on planes but she really loved the large one.

Ooohhhh, yeah! My son LOVES his doodleboard and they have just come out with the GloDoodle, which is the same type thing, but has a clear screen, so you can trace pictures or objects by laying the GloDoodle underneath. The only downside is that you can't keep a really good picture!

Thank-you sooo much for all your ideas and even giving me the links! I wish I could buy it all.... SOme of the things I have from her much older sister such as capes and dress up clothes that I had kept. The "cool" toy store in town is having a store wide sale. We are actually planning to take DD to the store and kind of steer her in the direction of the toys mentioned and let her choose what she wants. The toys that she plays with the most are toys she has picked herself. I think we will invest in an easel so that she builds arm strength by painting with her arms unsupported. It is hard to buy safe enough toys that are interesting enough. Thank-you everyone!