Mamas & Papas -
DS, 18 months has developed a real fondness for zippers. Our hoodies, the sofa cushion covers, the seat pads on our wood kitchen chairs are all subject to frequent opening and closing. I'd like to get him a toy though with a chunky zipper, and other closures so he can play with it. The ones on the sofa cushions and elsewhere keep getting stuck on the padding, and we have a very frustrated boy on our hands.
Thanks a bunch for your suggestions.
F. B.
F.:
We had a Disney Mickey Mouse similar to this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dressy-Bessy-Educational-Doll-Tea...
where my kids learned how to button, tie, etc.
Hope that helps.
Do they still make that doll that has one of everything on his garments? I can't remember what he was called but I think he had a zipper, a button, and his shoes tied but I think there was more.
There is a doll out there - don't know the name, that has zippers, buttons, etc. for kids to learn with.
there is a doll that you can get called (or at least used to be called) dressy bessy or dapper dan. it was a doll that had buttons, zippers, buckles, ties, snaps etc. I know they had them at toys r us as last as last winter. Not sure of the name on them. but they do still make them.
My daughter had an Elmo at that age that had a zipper, shoe lace, button and some other features. I think they also have soft books with the same features.
You can always pick up different sized zippers from the craft store and sew them onto a large piece of cloth. This way he can try different sizes.
How about a Learn to Dress toy like this one ...
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price%C2%AE-Sesame-Street-Le...
It's $17.10 at Amazon and is called the Russ Berrie "Zippity" Boy Activity Doll 18". Google it , you might find cheaper.
Can you sew? If you can even do very basic stitching, or have a sewing machine, go to the craft store and buy a bunch of different zippers, then stitch them together in a big square (think the size of a tiny blanket, about 2' x 2') you can sew the bottom of the two sides of the zippers together so it doesn't unzip completely and voila! Ton's of fun for the little one. If you are comfortable you can even make a pillow out of it, stitch different color fabric behind each zipper... you can get really creative with it!
Playskool makes a doll in girl and boy versions to (Dapper Dan?) help toddlers learn how to work zippers, snaps and buttons.
A friend of mine made the cutest pillow with zippers, buttons, snaps and laces on it for her daughter when she was little. She loved it! And played with it for hours. And still has it (she is 23 years old now) and her son plays with it now.
