Need Help with 3rd Birthday Gift - Fire Station

[August Mom]

Cross-post from Around the House

In case you haven't seen my post in Around the House and have thoughts about my issue, I'm posting here as well (where this actually should be) now that there's some traffic over here.

I've thought about this before (and even posted about it before), but this time I am really going to do it. I'm going to get DS a firehouse for his 3rd birthday. (Especially because he says he wants a firetruck theme, it should be perfect).

I have 3 options that I'm considering. If you have experience with any of them, please chime in. General pros/cons that you can see even if you don't own them would be appreciated too. The only one I've seen IRL is the Ryan's Room one, so I need some additional info. TIA

By the way, here's my current thinking: I think I'm leaning toward the Kidcraft one because it's bigger, has a garage for the truck and has drawers that come out of the furniture (which DS seems to like at PBK). I like the "brass" pole on the Constructive Playthings set, but it's so hard to see what's there and it's the most expensive, so that makes me nervous. I really like the men that go with the Ryan's Room set. I'm thinking that if we need more fire fighters, I could supplement with the Ryan's Room firefighters. I love the cool tools they can hold.

#1 Kidcraft Fire Station

http://creativedollhouses.com/kifido.html

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/26873.jpg

#2 Stay and Play Firehouse from Constructive Playthings

http://tinyurl.com/dcr7t

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/26872.jpg

#3 Ryan's Room Firehouse (would also buy fire truck and firefighters)

http://creativedollhouses.com/ryrolifist.html

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/26869.jpg

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/26870.jpg

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/26871.jpg

[alkagift]

Hmmm...you've probably made your decision now but I like the Kidkraft one best for the design. I think I like it because it's compartmentalized and when you turn it around you get a different "view," if you know what I mean. I don't like the firemen as well, though. (I do, however, like the fact that they have a dog!) I think something poseable would be better than the ones that come with the Kidkraft. I hope your son has fun, I remember the Firemen birthday post!

Allison
Mommy to Matthew Clayton, who is TWO!

[August Mom]

Thanks. I haven't decided yet because I analyze these things too much! :) I feel the same way. I'm not thrilled with the firefighters, but I think I like the design of the Kidkraft better and I like the dogs too. DS and I toured a fire station and the 2 things he wanted to know about was whether there was a pole and whether there was a dog. Apparently these are important to him, so I think they would be important to his fire station too.

[slknight]

I think I like the Kidkraft one the best. But if you want a bargain, the Ryan's Room one is on sale at Creative Kidstuff. Corie posted that everything there is 25% off right now:

http://www.creativekidstuff.com/lifistmafist.html

[MelissaTC]

DS received the RR firehouse, fire truck and firefighters for his birthday yesterday from my parents. It is adorable. Learning Express by us had it on clearance because they weren't moving well. They also had a deal that if you bought the truck and firehouse, you get the people for free. My Mom spent around $60 for everything.

Some things to note-

You can park the fire truck in the firehouse. It fits fine and includes a ramp to drive it in and out.

The fire truck ladder pops in and out easily. DS loves it but it annoys me.

I love that one of the firefighters has a long, red ponytail. It is nice that they included a woman. Woo hoo!

The furniture is completely moveable so you can set it up however you want.

All in all, I like it alot better irl. DS loves it and I think he will enjoy lots of playing time!

[nigele]

Wow - what a great deal!! I'm glad your DS is loving it! Hmmm, I wonder if Tom would like that for Christmas. We bought his Ryan's Room house this weekend for his upcoming birthday. Can't wait to give it to him!

[Corie]

I saw this in my Warm Biscuit catalog and I thought
of you. It is called the Firetruck Name Frame.

http://store.yahoo.com/wbbedding2/wallart.html








http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/27907.jpg

[Corie]

Pretendables was recommended in Parenting magazine (February 2005).
Pretendables has also won 9 "Preferred Choice" Awards from
Creative Child magazine.
I don't have any experience with them but I think they look
like so much fun!


http://secure.aerofulfillment.com/mogkids/category_view.aspx?categoryID=a22d76d4-52e7-4d2e-a72b-759c82204618




http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/27908.jpg