Help- need new big gift for 18 month old!

[acmom]

I was planning to get my 18 month old the Zany Zoo for his big gift. Had it in my cart at the sale price but waited too long and now its out of stock! Now I need a different plan and I gave all my other big ideas away to relatives (they are getting bball hoop, train set, a ride-on toy, and tool bench).

We are getting our 3 year old the loving family dollhouse so need something that looks like an equally big/fun gift (doesn't have to be the same price at all though).

We have a lot of the suggestions that I have read in the other threads - play kitchen and grill, megablocks table, kid sized table/chairs, anywhere chairs, indoor/outdoor climber and slide, Rody, a bunch of ride-ons, lots of little people sets.

Any ideas? He is a very easygoing active little boy who plays with lots of different kinds of toys. Thanks!

[rolypoly27]

If you are still interested in the Zany Zoo, I saw them on sale at my Target store for the same price as online. I'm not sure when the sale ends but it might be worth it to call around and ask.

[kristac]

water table or aquaplay
http://www.amazon.com/AQUAPLAY-A503-...3734318&sr=8-2

[brittone2]

My 20 mo old is the 3rd child and really doesn't need anything. His big gift is probably going to be a big cardboard playhouse. Lots of visual bang for the buck, and I'm sure he'll enjoy it, and right now you can snag them for under $15.

Other things I'm considering are a Remo drum, more Duplo (we already have a ton though), a toy coffee maker for his play kitchen. I may do a sand and water table (or save that for his 2nd bday in the spring) and fill it with colored rice or pasta (would have the older kids help me).

Folding slide?

I also considered an outdoor playhouse. Walmart has one online for 130. I considered keeping it in the finished basement playroom for the winter and then moving it outdoors in the spring.

[edurnemk]

Some of DS's favorite big toys at that age or a bit older:

Strider Balance bike
Kettler trike
Train table
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
Play house or pop up tent
He has a hockey goal, sticks and ball, my brother got it for him, I think it's from Little Tikes. He also uses the goal to play soccer.

[ahisma]

Originally Posted by kristac

water table or aquaplay
http://www.amazon.com/AQUAPLAY-A503-...3734318&sr=8-2

This is a great idea! We got it for 3 yo DS and would have bought it earlier if I could have got a deal (last year it was $50).

It is big, impressive and has a lot of lasting play value IMO.

[citymama]

My DD is the same age. Her big gifts are a Strider bike and a set of Duplos. She also loves trains, so another option (maybe for her 2nd birthday) would be trains/tracks.

My older DD got the Educo wooden play kitchen at the same age and it was a huge hit.

I think 18 months is too old for the Zany Zoo, frankly. It's more a 6-18 month toy.

[mum-to-be]

Do you have a wheely bug already? Or an easel? Do a dot paints are great for this age. We have one from DS and 19 mo DD loves it. My DD is getting from us, Santa, and various family members: a strider, a helmet, a pillow pet (because DS is getting one), a flip sofa (although the two of them do look cute next to each other on DS's), a couple of dolls, a cape and crown, a parachute http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Play-T...d=4I7V4VK8P4S7, a broom set for outside, bath crayons and bath colors, melissa and doug sticker books that look huge, construction paper, and they are sharing a Little Tikes outdoor table. Oh and she is also getting the Battat Krinkles construction set I bought on impulse from Amazon earlier tonight. Or maybe not - she does have a lot now that I list it all!

[acmom]

Thanks for all the good ideas! Maybe its good we didn't get the Zany Zoo. His older sister is getting an easel, which I'm sure he will like too. Maybe I'll get him some do-a-dot paints to go with it.

The Aquaplay looks like a good possibility - we have an outdoor sand/water table that he loves, so I'm sure he would really like that too! Few questions for those of you that have it...It's for inside right? How does it work - do you put it on the floor, in the tub or on a table? It doesn't look very deep in the picture- does the water stay in well? Do I need water toys to go with it or does it come with enough?