Desperate for 2yr. old boy toy ideas!

[daisymommy]

At this point, I wonder if DS2 (who is actually 2.5) is going to get anything for Christmas :( That's what happens when you're a third child, who really doesn't *need* anything, because we saved everything from his siblings. We have all the typical classic toddler toys you usually think of.

But that's just sad! He needs to be able to open some things for himself on Christmas day! Maybe new to the market toys that weren't out when his siblings were his age? Help!

ETA: I added some ideas that came to me in post #5. I need feedback on them though (not sure if they're age appropriate/fun).

[hillview]

geotrax?

[BabbyO]

DS1 is a July 09 baby so I think the same age as your DS. He's getting Thomas trains (they were SUPER cheap at Kohl's last week...I'm guessing they will be again this week). I got each one for about $3 after my 20% off coupon.

DH noticed that he LOVES the toy tool chest at the local play place so he got him one from TRU. I think it was about $10.

I'm trying to think of some of the other things...track to go with his Take N Play trains. We're sticking to small things because we don't have much room.

Kohl's had a bunch of M&D toys/puzzles on sale last week and all FP toys were about 50% off.

Oh, and toy utensils/pots/pans/food for his play kitchens. He loves to cook for us like daddy.

He may get some new undies, too. We're just starting PT (he asks to wear undies some days) so he's excited about undies.

[hoodlims]

New books?

[daisymommy]

A few ideas that came to me. Feedback?

-Ball pit and balls (we have a large playroom)
-Rody horse (it says 3 and up though...is 2.5 too young?)
*I was thinking these would be some things to keep him busy over the winter when we're stuck indoors.

-Kid Galaxy my first RC truck
http://www.amazon.com/Kid-Galaxy-GoGo-Fire-Truck/dp/B000038A8G/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9WNA9NDMQYYI&colid=U8RARUSV0B6B

What age for Automoblox?

I thought about Geotrax but wasn't sure if he was too young, plus we have a train table with complete set of Thomas trains, tracks, accessories from DS1. Not sure if I need another train set...but the thought did cross my mind.

Large cardboard brick blocks? We have lots of wooden blocks here, but I thought maybe they would be fun for him since he could stack them up so high, and not hurt himself when they all fell down/he knocked them down? I've never bought them before for my other kids.

[vonfirmath]

A few ideas that came to me. Feedback?

-Ball pit and balls (we have a large playroom)
-Rody horse (it says 3 and up though...is 2.5 too young?)
*I was thinking these would be some things to keep him busy over the winter when we're stuck indoors.

-Kid Galaxy my first RC truck
http://www.amazon.com/Kid-Galaxy-GoGo-Fire-Truck/dp/B000038A8G/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9WNA9NDMQYYI&colid=U8RARUSV0B6B

What age for Automoblox?

I thought about Geotrax but wasn't sure if he was too young, plus we have a train table with complete set of Thomas trains, tracks, accessories from DS1. Not sure if I need another train set...but the thought did cross my mind.

My son was playing with 3 and up stuff before he was 3 years old. It all depends on your kid. As the 3rd kid, I suspect he already is. Certainly the larger Automoblox should work (though my experience is that the kid gets more out of them as they get older. My 10 year old nephew is a LOT more interested in mixing and matching the pieces than my 4 year old, who mostly plays with the people and tries to keep the car together -- the wheels keep falling off just rolling across the ground)
My son had his Geotrax before he was 3. He loved watching them but didn't do much himself and we decided to get rid of them because the space taken up vs fun factor did not add up.

[indigo99]

DS is just a bit younger. He has a RC police car from TRU that he LOVES. He got one of those kid galaxy cars last Christmas and was never that interested, but this police car has working lights on top and makes different noises (siren, police radio chatter etc). He can push the two levers on the remote and make the wheels move, but the lights and noise alone are enough fun. It says "badge city heat" on the remote, but I don't see it on their website.

For Christmas, he's getting new puzzles, books, a balance bike, sand/water table for next summer, some Thomas trains, unit blocks, M&D cutting food.

ETA: I had balls in the pack-and-play for DS to play in before DS2 came along, and he wasn't that interested after the first few weeks. He also has a Rody that he doesn't play with. You don't have to fill it up completely with air so it can be shorter for smaller kids. I'm not sure what age is supopsed to really love them though. Maybe he'll like it later.

[baileygirl]

We haven't had a lot of luck with the Kid Galaxy vehicles (not played with and had problems with 2 of them working).

My DS2 (is also 2.5) is getting an indoor trampoline, the Batman Geotrax (we have the Imaginext Batcave, so I figure they can work together), some of the Cars Imaginext toys, Tomy Contructables, Cars Flashlight, few games, books, etc.

Do you have Pop Up Pirate (on sale on amazon now)? DS2 enjoys playing it with others, but also enjoys just putting the swords in by himself. For Christmas, he'll be getting Jolly Octopus and Crocodile Dentist since they seem along the same lines.

The boys (DS1 is 5) are getting a small air hockey table to share, since they both enjoy playing it. Also, someone posted about a digger, in looking at some of the other ones on amazon people mention using them in snow (it doesn't snow where I live, so no experience with that).

I think the cardboard blocks sound like a great idea. He might be a little young for the Automoblox.

My son also enjoys Educational Insights Design and Drill Take-Along Tool Kit.

[brittone2]

I gave DS2 Rody for his *first* bday LOL. I knew it was early but it was something I thought he'd enjoy at some point in toddlerhood. All 3 kids use Rody now.

I feel your pain though because I am pretty much finished w/ DD and DS1 except for a few small details. DS2 I have one (one) small toy for so far.

Things I'm considering for him (he's not yet 2, so younger than your 3rd):
toy coffee maker (ours broke years ago and DS2 shoves chairs up to the counter and tries to play with my real one).
Toaster (another toy we had that broke at some point)
cozy coupe but we have a million ride on toys and my parents and ILs keep getting more ride on toys for some reason
A playhouse (plastic to use inside this winter and move into the yard in the spring, or I might get a big cardboard one for like 15 bucks. I like that it has "size" and oomph for the price....)
maybe some geotrax but it is early for him and I'm not sure I want to start a new system, kwim? I considered an under the tree geotrax set so he could enjoy it but it would have been something brought out before Christmas.
He's getting a Gertie ball (I lie, I have two things for him LOL) as our other one popped at some point.

eta: bruder truck?

[emily]

DS just turned 2. We got him a Little Tikes basketball hoop set for his bday. For Christmas, so far all I've gotten is an indoor trampoline. Other things I'm considering are puzzles, books, a backpack. It's hard because I feel like we have enough toys but very few are "his", IYKWIM.

How about a play tent?

[AlbrightRC]

My son got his first automoblox minies at 2 and loved them..still loves them at 3 1/2 and is getting more for christmas. There is a sale on there website right now for 20 % off.

[daisymommy]

I actually have a set of 3 minis that I bought last year on Lightening Deal, and put away for when he was older. I just wasn't sure when that would be.

At this age, he could only push them around, not take apart and put together, right?

[elbenn]

Our rody horse doesn't get played with too much. Our geotrax get played with off and on but they are super fun and a good toy.

How about the morphibians remote control cars--I think they do a little more than some of the remote control cars for really young children but they are still supposed to be pretty durable.

[artvandalay]

I thought about Geotrax but wasn't sure if he was too young, plus we have a train table with complete set of Thomas trains, tracks, accessories from DS1. Not sure if I need another train set...but the thought did cross my mind.

.

We love Geotrax at this house. We also have a wooden Thomas set, and both get lots of love here.

I dont' think he's too young for it, because around 3 is the pefect age for Geotrax. Also, they are VERY sturdy. My kids were very rough with them and we've never had any pieces break.

We had a playdate yesterday, and a 5 year old was over. He discovered the Geotrax and played with them the entire time!

The only con to Geotrax is that they do take up alot of space.

ETA: My kids always preferred the non-motorized trains over the battery operated ones.

[chottumommy]

I actually have a set of 3 minis that I bought last year on Lightening Deal, and put away for when he was older. I just wasn't sure when that would be.

At this age, he could only push them around, not take apart and put together, right?

I think he definitely could pull them apart and put together. I bought them last year for my son when he was 2 and he mastered it by the time he was 2.5. Now at 3 he find them a little boring and improvises with other wooden toys by using dowels (that my DH made for him).

[daisymommy]

Thanks gals! So I'll definetly give him the Automoblox minis then. And I'll try to find a good starter set of Geotrax. Time to start a new thread asking for bargain advice on that :thumbsup:.

Wow, can't believe I actually have half a dozen items I want to give him now! Yeah!!!

[alexsmommy]

I hope others keep the ideas coming. Third boy - ay yi yi, I can't think of much for the poor kid. I just don't have the space for geotrax...

[AlbrightRC]

When my son first got them at 2 years old he could take them apart but he didn't realize the wheels came off (which is a good thing)..it wasn't until much later he learned about that. He might need a little bit of help at first getting them apart but i'm sure before long he'll be doing it on his own. I still watch my son when he plays with them to make sure we don't lose any wheels.I actually have a set of 3 minis that I bought last year on Lightening Deal, and put away for when he was older. I just wasn't sure when that would be.

At this age, he could only push them around, not take apart and put together, right?

[kristac]

DS3- was 2 at Thanksgiving for his birthday he got-
potato head and disney accessories
m&d sound puzzle
ikea play food
FP Grow to Pro Bball hoop
LeapFrog My Discovery House
toobaloo/ talk and listen phone

have for christmas-sled
Poke-a-Dot: Old MacDonald's Farm
Aquaplay aquabox
wheely bug (large- bee)
M&D chunky puzzle
dinosaur poncho towel
santa potato head
Smart Snacks Gingerbread House Sorter probably-bike helmet- raskullz
lacing beads
maybe-play tent
P'kolino Multi-Solution Shape Puzzle
P'kolino Mix and Match Puzzle
whistle/ flute?
baby babble dvd
Alex Tub Tunes Water Drums
Mini Sea Sound Drum Musical Toy
Fisher-Price Lil’ Zoomers Shake & Crawl Racer
art supplies

Other things we already have that he enjoys-
magnatiles/ valtec working trucks (like these better for this age then the automoblox- though he plays with those as well)
puppets
big trucks- maybe you could start a hess truck tradition for him?
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