Toys you would recommend from personal experience

jbbonce

chelltune wrote: »

I agree with moo2moo, we've collected various Duplo sets since DS first Christmas, he is now five and still uses it. DD is three and a half and plays with it too. Infact she spotted a pink bucket in Boots the other day which she said she would like for Christmas.

I know at 1 your DD might not be walking but she soon will be and a little toy buggy will get lots of use.

If you want something traditional then this site has some lovely toys, their rag dolls are gorgeous.

Actually, i think i saw you recommend this site on another thread. I really like the look of their stuff. I have already earmarked a few stocking fillers so thanks for that

jbbonce

r.mac wrote: »

hi there

we bought our godson a pushalong/ride on for his first birthday and he loves it. It helps him with his walking and isn't something quickly outgrown.

I would bear in mind that your child will probably be inundated with presents as its her first proper christmas and birthday! My mum told me recently that when we were little, after we opened our presents on christmas day she took awaya the ones we weren't playing with and hid them - producing them at various times throughout the year - they were more loved as they were surprises and new to us again!!!

Why not consider something like buying your daughter a special present during the summer to help break up the year - if you have a garden I can't recommend a small sandpit enough!

well i must confess we did have a half birthday party for her on june 25th. Although in fairness, it was for her dads and my benefit more than hers. But i think we will continue with it, because like you say, it is a good way to break up the year.

She only really tends to get what we buy for her, as other relatives prefer us to choose something for her and give it back to them so that they can wrap it. I am thinking though that after the relatives have had the fun of presenting her with the gifts i might sneak them away for a bit. What a good suggestion, thank you.

jbbonce

thanks all for your replies. I think i will not bother with sticklebricks from what you have all said, and I'm now leaning towards duplo rather than megabloks. I'm really interested to hear what toys MSErs rate, because i am finding with sites like amazon, some of the higher rating toys seem to be more for parents posing power than kids enjoyment.
I really want to get toys that appeal to her now but that will still be used in a couple of years time, and can be added to over the years.

RoxieW

The coupe cars are always loved if you have a patio she can drive around on. They're quite expensive at about £40 though but do crop up often second hand.

tootiefrooties

i loved the book 'the very hungry caterpillar' when i was young. i know the child is only 1, but it's never too early to get interested in books! it's mainly pictures (really colourful and lovely) and has interactive holes in pictures of fruit for you to stick wiggly fingers through etc. everyone i know who ever had this book loved it and still remembers it. same goes for 'little rabbit foo foo' because it's funny and has repetitive lines occasionally which kiddies can join in with.

Cruiksl

We went a bit mad when my dd was 1 and also for her first Christmas. Looking back - things that were good were a lot of the ELC toys - I bought them in the neutral colours as it meant that if we had another child they could use them as well (which was handy when I had ds).

Here's some of the things they enjoyed:

http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-34123?&parent_category_id=531
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-34543?&parent_category_id=531
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-41929?&parent_category_id=531
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-43531?&parent_category_id=531
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-42969?&category_id=572&parent_category_id=531&parent_category_id=531

What also about the happyland stuff from ELC. My dd got a lot of it when she was 16 months old - and she still plays with it and will be 4 in August.

Melon78

My daughter will be 1 beginning of Feb. For Christmas we've already got her a little rocking cow (one of the Mamas and Papas ones - got it cheap in January!) and a gorgeous rag doll.

Thinking back to when the boys were young, v tech walker was a big hit (must get that down from the loft for DD), wheely bug (they were playing on it today at 5 and 3.5!), Happyland (ELC) or Fisher Price Little People - lasts for years and can be added to. Wooden bricks/duplo still used now by them! Shape sorter, stacking cups always a hit.

HTH

MiasMommy

We got my daughter ride-on's lots of puzzles etc, I would honestly say dont bother, they dont care for much at that age, for my DD 2nd birthday Im not gonna bother leave it to the relatives, I was going to get hersome nice jewelry as keep sakes.Actually one thing I remember she loved the most was a tube of Cadburys buttons lol

Mips

I went crazy with Toys and they sit in boxes almost brand new around the house.

Her first Christmas everyone else went mad and the presents were just unbelievable.

At 1 she loved the Vtech walker also, the toy clips off the front. She loved the Teletubbies soft toys and anything Pooh bear.

The first Christmas the twins were here they were bought two of exactly the same toy.

They don' care what they play with - they just want what the other has got :rotfl:

Kids will play with boxes, plastic plates, plastic cups... I give up with the toys..

neverdespairgirl

Keep the numbers down, as others suggest, I think.

My parents gave my son a small wooden trolley with bricks in it, and a handle that he could push it along with, for his 1st birthday. He was 3 a few weeks ago, and still likes to put his things in it and push it around, and builds towers from the bricks. Definintely a lasting present!

I also second the "Very Hungary Caterpillar". DS also loved from an early age. His favourite book for ages was "Peepo", I read it so much, I can still recite it from start to finsih!