toy to teach buttons, snaps, laces (Button Up Betsy?)

[american_mama]

Is there a toy that enables a child to practice buttoning, snapping, playing with laces, etc.? When I was a child, I had a cloth doll like this called Button Up Betsy. She wore something like a vest with several layers, each of which had the different activity. There was also a matching boy doll that followed the same idea. I don't remember his name, but I recall him looking something like Barney from The Flintstones.

Anyway, is there a toy today either like this, or that promotes the same idea? My daughter is loving snaps and buttons, and I imagine (perhaps a little unrealistically) her sitting entertained for hours with a toy like this. If anyone has ideas, please post name of toy and where to find it. Thanks.

Karen

[trumansmom]

It's been a while since I've been to Target, but I think I remember seeing one there. It was in the "Parents Magazine" line of toys if I remember correctly.

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/29/01 and EDD 4/23/04!

[brubeck]

Actually my DD learned all of these skills (except laces) with the Neurosmith Jumbo Music Block.

[redhookmom]

ETA link

There is Squeak E. Mouse: http://www.liveandlearn.com/dressupmouse.html




http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/4175.jpg

[lmladuke]

Target does carry one from Parent's Magazine. It is called Back to School Luke (for boys) and Back to School Sydney (for girls)

My son has Luke and its cute. Although the concepts of zippering, etc. are not overly exaggerated. I mean, they are kind of small. DS usually just takes off his jacket and throws the little backpack around.

It's a cute doll.

Lori

[christic]

You can find the original Dressy Bessy on e-bay, a bit beat up of course. They seem to have changed quite a bit over the years. Here's the one I remember:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEBWA:IT

Dapper Dan was her brother, and I saw a modern version at Sears a couple months ago. But now they talk and just don't look right to me. My MIL bought Alice a Raggedy Ann that does sort of the same thing, but it's more of a talking toy and even I have trouble with the button so I wouldn't recommend it.

Chris

[raynjen]

We have a bear from Gund that I like - his tag says Teach Me 5785. He is more cute and cuddly than learning oriented, but he does have two buttons, two laces, a zipper pocket, a velcro pocket, and - well...I'm not sure what it is called...two rings that fabric goes through to make a belt. My DD hasn't been too interested in him yet, but he's cute enough to sit and look good in the meantime.

Jen in Okinawa
Mom to Noelle (2 1/2)

[american_mama]

Thanks, everyone! I just won an ebay auction for Dressy Bessy! (I would have sworn her name was Button Up Betsy.) Thanks to the poster for the link, and to everyone else for their ideas. I suspect that I may be eyeing a Dapper Dan soon too...

-- Karen

[August Mom]

I'm coming a little late to this party, as a doll already has been purchased. But, for anyone else reading this thread, we have the Dress-A-Pillar, Item No. 2268, from Discovery Toys. It's a multi-colored caterpillar. Each section has a different activity. There's velcro, a buckle, zipper, button, laces and a snap. It's cute. http://www.discoverytoysinc.com/toys2c.htm

[ckleist]

My son is 18 months old and is into to fine motor skill things like buttons and zippers and such. Is this toy too old for him? Also, is it washable or surface wash only. How would I go about ordering one?

Thanks for the info,

Cheryl