Which Tool Bench?

Updated on August 23, 2010
C.M. asks from New Baden, IL
7 answers

My children are 3 and 1 and I'm thinking about getting them a tool bench for Christmas. I am looking for one that two kids can play side by side together that includes a lot of toys (doesn't matter if they are battery operated or wood). Also doesn't matter if they have a lot of 'small' pieces for under 3 years because I can just put those away. Which one would you recommend? I've seen so many online but have not yet looked in the stores. I think wood would be better than plastic, but I figured I'd ask you mamas!

One another note, is there anything your kids (if aged 3 and 1) played well with together? They already have a house in our basement, a kitchen, a tv, a sit n spin, blocks, legos, strollers, shopping cart, ball pit then outside an 8 in 1, swingset, picnic table, water/sand table (which I'll bring inside to play with in the summer), barn, doll house, etc. They have a ton of books, my daughter has a ton of craft things to do.

What do I get them for Christmas? My son is easy because he won't be that old and wont' really care, but I still want a few things for him! But we don't have many boy toys (he's the 1 year old) so that is why he's easy to buy for.

Any larger gifts that your kids loved? I have contemplated getting them a used daycare table from a store in town (large enough for a few kids) and then two chairs and putting an old computer on that for them . I would not be getting both the tool bench and the table/chairs/computer stuff - it would be one or the other.

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

We got my son the Black and Decker tool bench like this one http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Power-Workshop-Toolben... We paid $35 for it at Sam's Club, but the price has obviously gone up since then. He will turn 5 in November and it is still played with regularly. And he and his 22 mo sister love to play with it together. We have added to it little by little. I took an old tool belt of my hubby's and cut it down to fit my son. We find tools and hard hats at garage sales sometimes. So his collection is a little larger than this one. I was in Big Lots the other day and they had pretend Black and Decker tools for a very reasonable price. This toy is absolutely loved in our house.

My son has a click start computer in his room. And he got that at 3. It has always been a great tool for him to practice computer skills and play learning games. But my daughter is unable to play anything. She winds up banging the keyboard or turning the monitor (an old tv) on and off. This upsets my son. So as of right now it is not a good toy for them to share.

2 moms found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Asheville on

When my girls were one they loved the Playskool Ball Popper that my brother gave them. It has a large, easy to press "button" to start the action. And it plays the music and "pops" the balls for a good amount of time. My girls still play with theirs and are two years old now. They like to chase the balls that dont fall right back into the ramp. Also, the Little People sets are a hit. I got a bunch of them from a coworker when my girls were about 1. They can play with them for years and their 3 y cousin plays with them when he comes over.

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

our oldest kids are 3 years apart and we bought a power wheels 2 seater jeep. It was the greatest thing. The oldest would drive the 1 year old around and they would ride that thing for hours, usually ran the batteries down everyday when the weather was nice. It was their favorite toy. They hardly played on the swing set and other toys.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

honestly, my age is showing! That's a lot for children to have at home! That's more like what a daycare would have. If you start out giving your children sooo much, how do they decide what to play with & how much is actually sitting idle or never touched??!!

That said, since you have dramatic & constructive play covered, & you have lots of books & craft supplies.....how about focusing on music? Get a simple keyboard, some drums, noisemakers, etc. Or introduce nature to them by giving them pets: a bird, some fish, a lizard, etc. Since they have so many toys, maybe it's time to think outside of ToysRUs!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.H.

answers from Tallahassee on

We too got my son the balck and decker tool bench from Sams. He still has it. We got it over two years ago. It gas held up well!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

What about starting a Brio Train Set. A little more boy oriented but both can (and will ) play with it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.O.

answers from Wichita on

I'd suggest Little Tykes or Step 2. They are easy to clean and very durable. My four sons had the Little Tykes one and loved it!

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