ISO pretend play birthday cake

[tiapam]

I found the Melissa and Doug one and these:

http://www.geniusbabies.com/cut---play-wood-b-day-cake.html

http://www.maukilo.com/getproduct.php?pid=351

http://store.mypolkadots.com/prandpltrand.html

http://www.kazootoys.com/birthdaycake.html?GCID=C18233x010&keyword=Birthday+Cake

The Haba one seems too simple to me. I am intrigued by the pink one, but I can't tell if the candles come off.

I would prefer something with fewer pieces than the M+D, like this:

http://www.abctoys.co.uk/sotn/dprod.php?products_id=517

I have seen the fabric ones, and I don't think that is the way to go for a three year old.

So any others to look at, any recommendations, especially if you have any of these? I think I read somewhere (here?) that the Trace and Learn does not work very well and can be frustrating (for kids and parents!).

Thanks.

-Pam

DD - 3 YO

[squimp]

We got the M&D one when DD turned 2. She still plays with it now at age 4. It's the thing to do when she has friends over, for tea parties. It has held up well, and is a great toy. I don't say that about many of our toys. DD loves being able to switch out the candles, jellybeans, gumdrops and strawberries.

The last one (abctoys) looks almost identical to the M&D. The pink one is very cute too.

[citymama]

Hey, thanks - that's a great list! I've also been thinking about getting a play birthday cake for my DD who is always having birthday parties for her teddy bear. :-) The only one of these cakes I've considered so far is Haba, because it is made in Germany and looks relatively simple - but I agree that it may be too simple. From your list, my far-and-away favorite is the pink cake on the geniusbabies website - looks realistic and not too complicated (for that reason, I would definitely pass on the trace and learn!) and most importantly, it has candles! My only question is: who makes it, and where?

Let us know if you end up getting one of these, and how it works out. Thanks again for the research!

[new_mommy25]

I'm not positive but I think I saw that same pink cake in a local toy store today. It was made by ELC. I haven't heard of that brand before but they had lots of cute stuff!

[citymama]

Thanks for that info - I googled ELC and it is a British toy maker (stands for Early Learning Centre). Here's the website: http://www.elc.co.uk/. It also looks like geniusbabies is one of the only US web retailers selling that product - too bad their shipping isn't cheaper! Which toy store did you see it in?

It looks like ELC's products are made in China (they claim that 80% of the world's toys are made in China!) but the company's environmental policies looked fairly good.

[sidmand]

We have the Melissa and Doug one and DS loves it. He doesn't have too many words, but "cake" is one of them!

Bought it at AC Moore with a 40% coupon. There are a lot of pieces, but that keeps him busy for awhile!

Debbie
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[new_mommy25]

It was in a local toy store here called Thinker Toys. http://www.thinkertoyshawaii.biz/

They had the perfect toy for DD there made by ELC. It was a purse with a doll inside and the doll had a little bed and clothes. We're going on a trip next week and it would be great on the airplane. The store was selling it for $36.95 which I thought was too much so I passed. I looked all over and couldn't find it anywhere online.
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-42248?&pg_age_id=3

[MMMommy]

Sorry to go off topic, but regarding a portable soft doll set, I bought this for DD1. Probably not as good quality, but way cheaper and personalization is included--

http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=4223&addOn=786

[smokey26]

We have both the melissa and doug and this one:

http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/DJ6511/Djeco-Tea-Time-Set.html

It doesn't fit your "fewer pieces" criteria, but it's super cute. The pieces are on the small side, (the whole thing is small-sized compared to the melissa and doug one) but the candles are fun and the tea bags and sugar cubes are very sweet.

My almost 3 yr old daughter enjoys both very much.

Julie

[tiapam]

That is cute. If she did not have a tea set already that would be perfect, in spite of the price.

She will probably wind up with the Melissa and Doug. She has their pizza and likes it, I was just trying to simplify a little. But I am thinking that the pink cake might be harder to cut since it is taller. Also, it doesn't say Happy Birthday.

-Pam

DD - 3 YO