Hello? As Christmas is approaching, the relatives are asking for a wish list for my 14 month old DS. He turned 1 in September and got lots of gifts, so my DH and I aren't getting him a ton, but the relatives are ready to buy. I know he is getting savings bonds and some clothes, but other people want to buy toys. What kind of toys would you suggest? He already has, and likes, books about animals, toy food, and trucks, if that is any help. Thanks!!
Baby Leap Pads are cool. They are good learning devices with books that come with cartridges. Other relatives could get more books for it.
And you can't have too many books. Little boys love "mega blocks" - they are like very large legos that are easier to use for toddlers. Anything by Little Tykes.
Be careful what you wish for! It is wonderful to have so many people wanting to give things to you little one. At this age, he doesn't understand so much about the gift giving and will likely be more interested in the paper and boxes they come in.
At our house, regardless of the occasion, we try to not focus so much on the gifts and more on the reason we are celebrating, such as a birthday or holiday. Christmas is a great time to focus on the spiritual side of the holiday and not so much on the commercial aspects.
I would suggest some experiences for your little guy. Could someone buy a Zoo pass, swim lessons, membership to the Children's Museum or other outing that you and others could enjoy with him? Experiences always outweigh any "stuff" that will eventually end up in the back of a closet, garage sale and ultimately the land fill. Memories last forever and provide time with friends and family.
Another great idea is to give some gifts in your son's name to an angel tree or other organization that gives to children who are in need.
Last year for my 4 year olds birthday, we got so much stuff we put some of it away and passed some on. The precedent we are setting is that holidays are not about the presents but about celebration. It is important to me and my husband that we don't raise materialistic kids and it starts young.
We are downsizing, as we have so much stuff, the girls don't even remember things people gave them or have places for everything. Things aren't fulfilling, people and experiences are, and memories outlast any "thing"
Good luck and enjoy the sights and sounds of this holiday season with your growing family!
J.
My day care toddler boys LOVE our toy kitchen. You don't have to buy the expensive "Little Tikes" type either. Walmart just had them for $40.00 and it includes "food". Another wooden train set that is a great buy is from IKEA. The track will work with Thomas the Tank trains and wooden tracks but is MUCH cheaper $13.00 for one set and $7.00 for the other set, both have small wooden trains with them......
I totally second the toy kitchen! Also, we got the Fisher Price house that you can open the door and window...I can't remember what it is called. My daughter got it at one year and still loves it! It's basically just a house facade that has a mailbox, doorbell, "radio". You can view it on the Fisher Price website. Sorry I don't remember the name!
My niece turned one in September and I bought her one of those "band in a box" toys...a variety of instruments (tambourine, maracas, drum). Kids at this age like to bang things!!
:D
books!
www.usbornforthefuture.com is my website - the touchy feely books are probably the most popular book for the little ones. there are SO MANY different kinds! my son also liked the flash cards, especially animal ones and stuff! :D
let me know if you have any questions. ____@____.com
Hi S.,
I always think way ahead and what I was planning on getting my son a little tricycle or a little truck that he can ride on. There is one that is a fire truck and its by little people (fisher price or little tikes) I was going to get something like that for his birthday so that he could play with them next summer. Another thing that my hubby wants to get him when he is closer to that age is a little workshop, with the tool bench and all the tools. Otherwise, I agree...look into the 18 month+ age toys. There are some pretty neat ones out there:)
Kid furniture is great. We got this type of sofa for my oldest at her first birthday. All of my kids love it and their friends. My oldest still loves it and she is 4 now. We have worn it down so much that I'm thinking about replacing it. It's great. The slipcover comes off for washing as well.
My son is a month older then yours and he loves his Little Tikes, Farm set with all the animals. He's also getting the Noah's Ark one from Grandpa and Grandpa for Christmas. He loves animals! If they want to go big, a climber with a slide is great. Also push toys like lawn mover or vaacum. Oh, one other thing that my son likes is balls, and we are getting him a basketball hoop.
Have you every heard of Discovery Toys? They are great!!! You can go online and find a consultant near you or just order online at discoverytoys.com and they will send your order to someone and it will get shipped directly to your house and your family can buy things and ship them directly to your house.
Good luck
S.
My boys loved trains. We've liked the GeoTrax the best. They are cheaper then the Thomas sets. If you decide to go with trains look up the different sets and pick one. Tell the rels to get those. That way you don't end up with 3 different sets and can't do much with any of them.
I would suggest that you think ahead for toys, etc. For example, he is 14 months old, but look at toys in the 18 month -- 2 year range. The Fisher Price Sing-along stage is cute. I always like to give toys that are musical. Any of the Elmos are good. My grandsons got the Tickle Me Elmo when they were about this age and loved it. In fact, at 5 and 2 they still play with it! Leap Frog makes a refrigerator magnet set where you can match two sides (farm animals, etc.) and it talks to you. These are both fun and educational!
Hope this helps!
Merry Christmas!
These are always a hit:
+ cozy coupe (little tykes)
+ slides (good for indoors now and can move them out in summer!)
+ BLOCKS- wooden or cardboard are great! my kids love when we build towers and they get to knock them down (Lillion vernon carries some really good rectangle cardboard blocks and I also got my wooden ones from a school supply catalog because you can get larger sizes that way. I did not buy the tiny ones that stores carry......)
+ all kids love ride on toys--especially if they talk to make music
Think ahead:
+ farm sets and animals (Mills Fleet carries great animals!)
+ wooden puzzles (never too early to start these)
+ play doh toys (make homemade playdoh and your son will already LOVE playing with it....my son has been playing play-doh since 12 months...teachers recomend because it teaches them to use their hands and such)
+ toy tractors
Here are some things that I can think of...Duplo building blocks, a tricycle, kids music cd's (my kids enjoy Laurie Berkner), toy lawnmower, toy vacuum (little ones love push toys once they are able to walk!)
