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Gift Suggestion for 2.5-Year-Old Boy

I need some advice for gifts to buy my son. I always get sucked into the commercials of the "perfect" gift and then, he could care less about it. He just turned 2.5 and I don't have other kids. So, for those of you who have boys, what did they LOVE, LOVE, LOVE at 2.5. My boy is into ALL balls (basketball, golf, baseball), TRAINS, Mickey Mouse and guitars. I must say, I am overwhelmed by all the train options out there and I don't know which way to go. He prefers the trains that "go" (not ones he has to push) and he likes Thomas, but he gets frustrated by the track - you have to place the train just right on the track to make it go. We have a starter set for Thomas and Geo. The Geo track is less frustrating for him, but it is a push train, not battery-powered. Should I expand on one of these sets or is there a different one better for his age range? He really like tracks with tunnels and windmills, etc. Should I have to buy a train table - those are so expensive! All gift suggestions, not just trains, in any price range would be greatly appreciated. I have family members who want ideas - some will spend a moderate amount and others will spend more. Thanks so much for all your help, Mommies. I know you will give me the "real deal," and not what the commercial tells me! Plus, I know some of you have spent hours and hours researching this and have boy-tested toys. I just want to rely on your expertise and not re-invent the wheel! Thanks for all your great advice and Happy Holiday!

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I second the leapfrog tag Junior. We have the older leapfrog tag for my 6 year old, and I can't get my two year old off of it! He absolutely loves it, so for Christmas, we got the two year old the Jr Version. You can get the books with the colors, shapes, ABC's. ect. You won't be sorry!

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Balls of every shape and size. Blocks, both wooden and Duplo. Trucks and tractors. Ride on toys that they power themselves, not the battery ones. The one that looks like a 3 wheeler is super popular here.

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We like the Geo trax. The new one even has easy load, so the cars line up on the track without a problem. I like the different sets you can buy and that it even expands to airplanes. I started my son with Imaginext toys at 3 and those are just awesome. The Jungle, and pirate ship are our favorites. We are getting the Batcave this year. Don't forget about board games. Elefun is a cute one, and the standards, memory, candyland, etc. My 2 1/2 year old even plays sequence. Animal scramble is a good game too. Good Luck!!

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I would really expand the thomas train track (battery ones) my son would probably be still playing with them if I didn't get rid of them but due to space issues I had to. that's easy for your family also cause there are so many choices out there. oh yeah stock up on batteries!!

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Our son is 3 1/2 and has TONS of trains and tracks and the only thing he wants for Christmas this year, is more choo choo train tracks. He's been hooked on trains for a little over a year now. He plays w/ them just about every day, so we haven't really had to buy any other toys, because he's just not interested in anything but trains. For Christmas we are going to add some pieces to his Thomas set, and we also found a really cute Christmas train that is battery operated at Home Depot of all places. It's a very large train set and was only $39.00. He also loved balls at that age, in fact I brought along one of his balls when I had his two year picture taken, so I'd remember what he was really into at that time. I say jut buy him what you know he'll play with and save your money for when he's older and knows more about toys.

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The new Leap Frog Tag JUNIOR!

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I have four boys, the youngest is six. All of the boys loved the Thomas the Train set and still look forward to having Santa send new track and/or trains each year. I recommend expanding the Thomas track! Best wishes for a happy holiday!

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my son is 3 and has just started really being able to appreciate the trains and tracks. i would not give up on them, in a few months or a year he'll be able to work them just fine and then he'll 'grow into' them. i also wouldn't waste a lot of money on the newest fad toy - little boys have short attention spans. i usually spread my funds out over several smaller gifts and my son is good until his birthday in september. my son is an "anything with wheels" kinda kid, so he's pretty easy. go simpler and i bet your son will appreciate it more. good luck and merry christmas!

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All kids are different. Both of my sons loved and still love Thomas at four and six. So they usually do get some Thomas trains for Christmas. My six-year old always gets some kind of art kits. My four-year old has always loved toy trucks - like fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, tow trucks, etc. It really just depends upon what your son likes!

K.

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My kids always liked furniture that is their size. Whether it's a plastic chair from Toys R Us with lights and sounds or the foam folding couch things, they love them all.

Bathtub Crayers. They are not that expensive for family memebers but they don't last long so they are expensive for the mom to replace. I used to sit my girls (I have girls only) in the bathtub even in their clothes and they would play forever.

My 3.5 year old girl likes the look and find books. THere are no words, just pictures. On the left are pictures that you find in the larger, busy picture on the right.

Flashlights. Every kid loves a flashlight!

Play tents that fold up. We smooshe ours together and shove it into the storage room when not in use.

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