1. Baby Einstein: Alphabooks
These have been, without a doubt, one of our most used items over the past six months. Twenty-six books, one for each letter of the alphabet, come in a little box that has stood up to Finn literally standing on it. The books are perfect for little attention spans, are sturdy enough for little hands, and just taking them in and out of the box is fun too. I credit these with Finn knowing most of his letters and sounds.
2. Melissa & Doug Food Groups
Nice quality wooden toy foods. We like to sort them into the little boxes, feed them to our stuffed animals, and to Duncan (thankfully he hasn't actually taken a bite yet). These have been great for Finn learning the names of foods.
3. Signing Time Volume 1: My First Signs DVD
I bought this right after Finn turned one and it was one of the first things on TV I felt okay about him watching (I'm over it now- he totally watches an episode of Babar every single morning). He loved it and as he learned the signs in the video he would do them along with the kids.
4. See Kai Run Smaller Shoes
My absolute FAVORITE baby shoes, and I'm so sad that Finn has now outgrown the See Kai Run "Smaller" line. He wore these soft soled shoes from six months to eighteen months all over the place, including outdoors at the playground and on our sidewalk. The suede bottoms somehow are totally soft yet stand up to that kind of wear and tear. I'm totally that creepy mom that pulls out the three pairs he's outgrown from time to time and gets all sad about how quickly he's growing.
5. Hatley Whales Rain Coat
I remember wondering if it was a silly purchase when I bought Finn a size 1T raincoat, but it was so adorable I couldn't help myself. Turns out it was a really useful item and allowed Finn to walk around (or ride in a backpack carrier) during some rainy days. He's getting rainboots for Christmas so his rainy day ensemble will be complete. Toddlers MUST get their energy out outdoors no matter the weather. Okay, and Hatley stuff is ridiculously cute. Wish they made the whale raincoat in my size.
6. Curious George's Box of Books
We are into books in boxes in case you can't tell. Finn's Mimi got us two boxes of these and they are very popular around here. I remember some of the stories from my childhood so I'm guessing that I must have made my mom read them to me over and over as well.
7. Melissa & Doug Wooden Duck Push Toy
Finn's version of this was a gift from my brother who lives in Italy, but this one would work just as well. I'm not sure what it is about dragging something around on the end of a stick, but he could do it for hours.
8. Haba Jumbo Peg Board
My mom saved this from my childhood and I am thrilled that Finn seems to enjoy it as much as I did. A little pricey for a toy, I know, but this one (obviously) has a long life and works at many age levels. Right now Finn likes to take the pegs off and put them back onto the board, and is starting to learn his colors. In the future we can use it to talk about size, sort the pegs in different ways, and talk about patterns. It's a super nice quality toy that I don't mind having out in the living room.
9. ZoLi Bot Straw Sippy Cup Blue
Our favorite sippy cup would make a good stocking stuffer.
10. Play Doh Animal Duffel Bag Another hit gift from Finn's Mimi, this one has been worth its weight in gold for HOURS of entertainment. Finn is particularly enamored with the blue garlic-press-like thing that makes worms. And the rolling pin. And the scissors for cutting off the worms. Good stuff, you guys.
Another hit gift from Finn's Mimi, this one has been worth its weight in gold for HOURS of entertainment. Finn is particularly enamored with the blue garlic-press-like thing that makes worms. And the rolling pin. And the scissors for cutting off the worms. Good stuff, you guys.Let me know in the comments what's awesome that I've missed!
Up next... gift ideas for 18-24 month olds...
This is such a helpful post! My son Sammy is about 7 months younger than Finn so your blog has always given me great toy/activity and food ideas.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best "toys" Sammy has enjoyed is the crazy hallmark plush animals that dance and have music once you press the button. I give tummy time success straight over to this toy. Now at 13 months Sammy is still loving it. He carries it to us, he learned to press the button, dances to it. It was an awesome secret santa gift from my husband's work Christmas party.
Love this post. I might have to buy Raffi just one more thing and get those Alphabooks. You've mentioned them so many times now I feel like I NEED them! Fantastic gift idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd Rite Aid currently has this basket full of fruits and vegetables that we love. It is totally made in China but for $9.99 it is a great option. Raffi carries the basket around, dumps the veggies out and puts them back in, and can identify every single one both in toy and real form because of the toys. He knows apple, banana, eggplant, garlic, onion, broccoli, brocolli rabe, green grapes, purple grapes, carrot, etc. He plays with it every afternoon while I cook. Check it out if you don't mind plastic toys made in China!
Broccoli rabe! Love it...little foodie in the making :)
DeleteThank you for this! My daughter will be one in a couple weeks so I just added some things to my amazon cart/santa sleigh :)
ReplyDeleteLove this list! You know you got me hooked on See Kai Run, and Sam is getting a kitchen for Christmas -- with lots of Melissa and Doug goodies. Also, I can't wait for him to get into play-dough. He's finally figured out that crayons are for coloring, not for eating, so we're getting close!
ReplyDeleteI would also add: megabloks, a piano (on Sam's wish list), and the circus tent that is currently taking up residence in our living room (from Ikea).
You have obviously started a Melissa & Doug foods and a kitchen craze this Christmas. We just got our (I mean the kids') kitchen yesterday. Wondering if we should set it up now to make sure it has all of the pieces? Wrap the box for Christmas? What's your plan? xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! Our son (15 months) will be getting the Alphabooks for Christmas along with the Gruffalo board book. He will also be getting the Schylling Little Helper Broom Set, a wooden train set (to grow into), a push-button ride-on 4-wheeler (grandma!), a little climbing/slide set that will go outside in the spring but hoping to keep our little guy busy in the winter in our basement (grammy!), golf clubs (Daddy!). S-P-O-I-L-E-D - but I can't help it.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about a Zo-Li! On the Play-Doh - at what age did Finn really like this? I'm not sure my little guy would "get it" - I'm thinking he would be more like FOOD! Nom! Nom!
Oh and Santa is also going to put some Seventh Generation bubble bath in his stocking. ;-)
Love love love the Baby Einstein books, we have a few different sets and I just picked up a pretty large assortment at costco. She's also getting the cutest little polka dot recliner, I found it today at Coastal Farm & Garden of all places! A few other odds and ends and she's set, she has her older sisters toys to play with. From Grandma she's getting lots of Melissa & Doug play food and wooden toys. She'll be 14 months in a couple days.
ReplyDeleteYay for suggestions, and omg toddler at 12 months! I almost have a toddler!
ReplyDeleteLet's see...LC is the same age as Finn. For the last 8 months, she has loved her Little Tikes shopping cart, and her Duplos since about 16-17 months. At 20 months she will now sit down and amuse herself by stacking them and taking them apart. Oh! And we just picked her up a $15 easel at IKEA. She LOVES the chalkboard side, although she is a bit short to reach far up. I added the alphabooks to her wishlist just now.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. Do they sell the raincoat in adult sizes? :) We have a giant 5-story George book. It was wonderful until I had to read it 18 million times haha!
ReplyDelete