Big Gifts for 15 month old DS

[BallerinaMommy]

I have a VERY active 15 month old boy that wants to do EVERYTHING mommy and daddy do. I'm looking for some ideas for a big gift for him. My thoughts so far are either a climber with a slide for indoor or outdoor use, or maybe a toy kitchen. I worry that the toy kitchen won't get alot of play yet at this age and whether or not to go plastic or wooden. I also considered a mini trampoline, but wondered if he was too young for this? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks! :)

[KLD313]

My DD is 14 mos and LOVES her mini trampoline. She's had it since she was one and it gets a ton of play. She jumps on it, lays on it, sits on it, it is by far her favorite thing. I would highly recommend one. I also got her a small slide for Xmas and a ball pit because shes very active. I'm waiting on the play kitchen because I think she's too young. I also got her a wheely bug but she has other ride ons that she likes too.

[brittone2]

My kids were using the play kitchen by 15 months but they were only using some very basic imaginary play/imitation. They really got the most play ut of it from about 2-3 or 3.5. However, it can certainly be enjoyed by a 15 mo old IME.

Foot propelled ride on toy?

Learning tower (could be used to help you in the kitchen, etc.)? They are big and bulky though so you'd need to be able to give up some space for it.

climber, slide, or playhouse is a good one IMO. I am considering a big cardboard playhouse for DS2 as an inexpensive "oomph" gift (3rd child and we already have pretty much every type of toy imaginable). I've seen the cardboard playhouses for 12-15 bucks.

Play tunnel/tent

sandbox for outside if you don't have one and weather is decent enough. Not great for under the tree though ;)

doll stroller and doll (my DD got into dolls by 12 months of age, but DS1 was not into it at that age even though I offered it)

DS1 started getting into trains a bit at that age. DS2 is only now starting to get interested in them (he's 20 months).

anything to imitate the things you do....child sized broom, mop, etc. since it sounds like your little one enjoys that stuff. Oddly, those items have gotten a ridiculous amount of play here through the years.

Stacking/nesting toys were popular with my kids at that age, ditto big peg puzzles, but none of those are really big gifts.

[mskitty]

I have a VERY active 15 month old boy that wants to do EVERYTHING mommy and daddy do. I'm looking for some ideas for a big gift for him. My thoughts so far are either a climber with a slide for indoor or outdoor use, or maybe a toy kitchen. I worry that the toy kitchen won't get alot of play yet at this age and whether or not to go plastic or wooden. I also considered a mini trampoline, but wondered if he was too young for this? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks! :)

Little Tikes Sit n Scoot. We bought ours at a garage sale for $1. Best toy buy ever so far! He rides it inside, outside and its small enough to fit in the footwell of the car so it goes with us on long car rides to get the wiggles out at rest areas and at our destinations. Still gets near daily use 18 months later! Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be made any more. This is what we have:
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-baby-items-toys-LITTLE-TIKES-SIT-AND-SCOOT-BIKE-W0QQAdIdZ337305081
Closest available today:
http://www.littletikes.com/kids-toys/push-ride-racer

We bought a gently used very small toy kitchen for our son's second Christmas with a set of mixing bowls and measuring cups. Huge hit! He wasn't ready for a lot of pieces but it was enough to keep him busy. He loves to take his snacks and put them in "his" special bowls or measure water with "his" cups and spoons!
Similar to ours:
http://www.step2.com/p/Cozy-Kitchen
Mixing bowls, measuring cups & spoons:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/martha-stewart-collection-kids-melamine-prep-set?ID=609372&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

Play broom is a huge hit around here as well.
http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?SKU=15056088&
Plus we've taught him that he needs to clean up after himself. Sometimes he spills things just so he can sweep them up... like a minibox of Nerds candy at Halloween was 20 minutes of sweeping fun!

He also loves his music cube. He pushes a button, runs off to do something else. When the music stops, he runs back and pushes another button. Played with every day, several times a day for months!
http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-3101-Mozart-Magic-Cube/dp/B00004TFLB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323554987&sr=8-1

Good luck!

mskitty

[fumofu]

Just bought 16-month-old DS the Treehaus wooden toy kitchen for $48 + tax at BBBeyond. He loves it! playing with the oven/stove knobs, taking the removable sink in and out, storing other gadgets and play food in the pantry/oven. He had been playing with a toy kitchen at his friend's house for a couple of months now. They love fighting over putting the sausages in and out of the can package!

We don't have a backyard, but a ball pit or slide sounds like a lot of fun.