It’s the end of the year and we are spending some time reorganizing and cleaning up. Sometimes I put items in a box, just to find that my almost 2-year-old has taken them out again and is playing with them in an entirely different way than any of her siblings did. I may have thought she aged out of these toys, but she has found a new purpose for them.
Over the last year, several friends have had their first child and have asked many questions about what are the most important items to have or items that have lasted. If you had to pick only 5 toys or items to have for your baby through toddler, what would be the five on the top of your list?
Looking at toys from four kids, here are some of our favorites:
Playschool Busy Ball Popper
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I’m not sure who had the most fun with this one. This is different from the version we have, but similar concept. I don’t think they make this anymore, so I think we’ll put this one away to save. You can often find them on consignment, but it always entertained the kids.
- HAVIN’ FUN. THAT’S HOW YOUR BABY ROLLS – You’ll love watching your little one giggle as they pop, drop, and roll the colorful balls down the ramp! To start the ball-flying fun, they simply press down on the funny faced button. The Playskool Explore ‘N Grow Busy Ball Popper features lively music, fun sound effects, and 5 durable, bright balls.
- BABY CAN HAVE A BALL (OR 5) – You can feel good knowing every time your child drops and rolls one of the 5 balls, it is an opportunity to practice using their fine and gross motor skills, and eye tracking. Help your toddler learn about and explore cause and effect when they press the button and watch the balls pop into the air and swirl down the track!
- GET THIS POPPIN’ PARTY STARTED WITH 8 SONGS – With this musical toy, your baby can drop the balls AND the beat!! They’ll move, groove, and giggle to 8 upbeat songs that help keep the fun rolling along.
- FUN FOR KIDS AGE 9 MONTHS AND UP – The Playskool Explore ‘N Grow Busy Ball Popper is the perfect baby shower and birthday gift for babies and toddlers age 9 months and up. Plus, it’s great for take-away play to help keep your baby happily occupied for hours at home or on the go!
Evenflo 3-in-1 Exersaucer
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We didn’t get the three in 1 until our last kid, but it was nice that you could use it longer and it was also something we put in front of cabinets we want to distract our toddler from.
- Plastic
- Imported
- Playmat, exersaucer and activity table in one unit provides for extended USAge as your child grows
- Portability folds significantly smaller that makes travel and storage easy
- 11 age-appropriate toys and fun music help baby achieve 10 developmental milestones
- 3-position height adjustment grows with baby seat locks in multiple positions
- Removable, machine washable pad. 360 degree spin
- Note: Item do not contain iguana
- Playmat, exersaucer and activity table in one unit provides for extended USAge as your child grows
- Portability folds significantly smaller that makes travel and storage easy
- 11 age-appropriate toys and fun music help baby achieve 10 developmental milestones such as fine motor skills, object exploration, tactile development and more
- 3-position height adjustment grows with baby seat locks in multiple positions
Playskool Explore N’ Grow Busy Gears
The Busy Gears is another one that is hard to find, but my youngest is still playing with it.
- Gear up for playtime – with 11 interchangeable gears that spin, plus music, sounds, and twinkling lights, this toy for 1-year-olds is like a party in your playroom! Woo-hoo!
- Handy hands-on fun for kids 12 months and up – it’s tactile fun for little fingers! Press the button and make the gears swirl and whirl! Plus, there’s a convenient carry handle for toddlers on the move.
- Get their wheels turning – Little ones can practice their fine motor skills as they grasp and clutch the gears. Moving and stacking them helps them explore spatial relationships and cause and effect.
- Lights, music, action – Twinkle, Twinkle, little gears… so good for those early years. Little ones will wiggle and giggle as they grasp, move, stack, press, and make colorful gears whirl and twirl.
- Easy-peasy Frustration-Free shipping – SHIPS in simple recyclable packaging that’s easy to open and frustration free, so your busy little bee can get to the play right away!
Magna-tiles
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There are many magnetic tile distributors. The creations are unbelievable and even our toddler loves exploring how they interact with each other.
- The original 3D magnetic building sets that engage young minds by fusing together math, science and creativity
- Colorful shapes including rectangles, squares, triangles, “C” shapes, “T” shapes, staircases and 1 door
- Sparks hours of imaginative free play in children. Anything they can dream, they can create!
- Develops math, science, spatial and tactile skills. STEM approved!
- Safe, durable and built to last for years
- Ages 3 years and up
Tinylove Playmat
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Ours has definitely lasted through all 4 of our kids and has provided hours of fun and tummy time. We have switched out the hanging items as well.
- This Tiny Love play mat’s adjustable design provides 15 engaging activities and developmental toys to entertain and promote your baby’s development, including baby-activated lights and a music touch-pad.
- Each toy features fun and engaging textures that stimulate a baby’s senses and encourage play. These baby toys are durable and designed to be easily held by small hands.
- The play mat’s music touch pad plays 10 delightful tunes for 20 minutes of continuous music.
- Fold the play mat up quickly and easily for compact storage or travel.
- This play mat requires three AA batteries (included).
- Tiny Love strives to identify the latest discoveries in child development and translate them into engaging, interactive toys that nurture skills and delight the senses.
- Tiny Love is a multiple award-winning global toy and baby products company that puts special emphasis on your baby’s development. Tiny Love’s goal is to create products that support a baby’s development from birth and offer smart solutions to parents’ needs.
