Toy recommendation for 1 year old - $50 approximately

[nitaghei]

What would be a good toy in that range? Have to let the grandparents know.

I've ruled out the Radio Flyer wagons for now. DS is really close to walking, so a push toy is probably not worth it, and maybe waiting to get a regular sized wagon makes sense.

I picked up a Neurosmith Music Block at Marshall's already.

Strong preference for one nice toy, preferably classic, no loud / obnoxious music.

Neel is NOT interested in watching TV (and I'd like to keep it that way), so no DVDs. And I already have a lot of little gifts for him (blocks, board books etc).

TIA

Nita
mom to Neel 01/05/03
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

[egoldber]

If I were you, I'd think a few months ahead and have them put the $$ towards a toy that will get a lot of use.

How about:

a pretend workbench or kitchen set (complete with tools and/or pots and pans)
an easel (I have the Little Tikes one and really like it)
a set of wooden puzzles in a nice puzzle holder

I know you don't want a push toy, but a shopping cart or push wagon will get a LOT of use. Toddlers like them to put toys (or dolls and stuffed animals) in and push them around.

HTH,

[nitaghei]

Thanks Beth. The pretend workbench or kitchen sounds like a great idea, as do the puzzles. I was also considering BRIO blocks, like this set

http://www.kidsurplus.com/bt041.html

I found an easel at IKEA I like, and have a coupon for (and there's a store in College Park - WOOHOO!). I got it for my 3 year old niece and she loves it.

Thanks for the input on the wagon - I really do have to think about it. LLBean has a really nice one (and I have at least $40 worth of vouchers from my credit card)- so it makes sense for me to get it, rather than the ILs.

In any case, Neel's birthday is 10 days after Christmas - so I probably need to suggest more than one thing! :)

Nita
mom to Neel 01/05/03
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

[egoldber]

Just my 2 cents on the Ikea easel. Its nice, but not as sturdy as the Little Tikes one. Its perfect for an older toddler or pre-schoolers, but for a younger toddler, the LT one is much more sturdy. Its also not as tall so they can reach it better.

HTH,

[nitaghei]

Beth,

Is this the easel you had in mind? It does look nice.

http://tinyurl.com/xr4x

Nita
mom to Neel 01/05/03
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

[egoldber]

Yes, that's the one I have. I think its great.

[cchavez]

I want to get that easel for Diego in the future. We are supposed to get our patio covered in the Spring and I would like to put the easel out there so he can enjoy the fresh air and paint!!!

[mattiew]

How about the Little Tikes Deluxe Cozy Convertible
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/toys/B00004SCWA/qid=1070591729/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-2407323-9319227. We just bought one for DD and she loves it as did her 2 year old cousin. Our neighbor would push her daughter around the neighborhood which is how I found out about. The decision was sealed when I went to playgroup and a bunch of 3 and 4 yr olds were fighting over the car. I think this is one my DD will use for years!

Hope that helps!
Carrie

[August Mom]

I second the recommendation for the Deluxe Cozy Convertible. DS loves his.

Also, my nephew LOVES the Parents Busy Park Playground http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-8/qid=1070594202/ref=sr_1_8/601-3449879-1923338?asin=B0000SVSLW It is nice, with lots of different activities. It keeps him occupied for a long time.

I don't know anything about this, but I ran across it when I was looking for a link to the Busy Park Playground: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-8/qid=1070594202/ref=sr_1_8/601-3449879-1923338?asin=B0000SVSLW It's the Parents Busy Street Playground. It looks pretty cool too.

[Sarah1]

Do you have one you'd recommend? Audrey is obsessed with the kitchen....I'm thinking it would be nice for her to have something like this.

[egoldber]

I have an older Little Tikes one that I got at a consignment store, so I'm not real up on a lot of the newer kitchens. I like mine because it doesn't make any noise. :)

DD had a good time playing with a wooden set in PBK today, but they were shockingly (at least to me) expensive.

[vikivoly]

I second the Parents Busy Park Playground. I bought one for my nieces for Christmas last year and encouraged my Mom to buy one for DD for her 1st bday. She loves it. No music, no annoying electronic sounds, and it doesn't look too bad in the living room.

[Momof3Labs]

Sam's Club recently had a kitchen set by Chicco for under $40 - it seems nice, with all the utensils and such. I don't remember if it makes noise, but if so, I will not put the batteries in. Santa is bringing it to Colin this year.

[TaChapm2]

I totally agree about the Delux Cozy Convertable. This is one of the best toys! DS loves riding in it and then pushes it all around the house as well. Two toys for the price of one. Highly recommend!

Tara
Mommy to Jackson (11-10-02)

[shishamo]

Hi,

I got this for my son for his 1st birthday.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3162055753&category=2518

IT's the toy you see at the doctor's office. He LOVED it. he played with it everyday for about 2 years. He's 4, and he still occationally played with it.

On the other hand, my daughter does not seem to love it as much. I think it may be a 'boy' thing? It's kind of like a car on a highway, train on a traintrack.

You can also get a Thomas the tank engine figure eight starter set.

http://www.kidsketch.com/thomas/sets4.html

My son started to like the train set about 15 months and up. This is is great because you can keep adding more.