Educational toys for toddlers.

gabriella wrote: Ok, I know it's really early to be thinking about Christmas but it's my favourite time of year, for many reasons and all of which include our family and friends. It's time set aside for getting together and catching up and believe in me that's no easy thing, since my family live in four different countries. It can get pretty costly sending parcels to eachother and hard work thinking of new ideas.

So, hubby and I were talking about toys last night...I was jabbering on about Sam loving the jig-saw puzzles we bought him from the "euro" shop and how he could fit all the Alphabet pieces in the right places after only being shown once or twice!!?? We were both pretty impressed Then hubby got onto the subject of all toys here are made in China and the effects it must be having on the local industry and economy........but then we came back to Sam and his toys, educational toys for his age. Things I should be looking out for and saving for!!!

He plays with almost everything you give him but his favourites have to be books and puzzles...(more than his much loved tractors and cuddlies)

Can anyone recommend educational toys for children age 20+ months?

Thanks in advance

P.S........If nobody answers I'm going to start getting paranoid

MommyToAshley replied: Here's a site that might help:
http://www.fun-educational-toys.com/

gabriella replied: Thank you I've just had a quick look and there's loads of stuff. Once Sam is in bed I'm going to take a better look.

Phew.......starting to feel better.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I like discovery toys too. Blocks are big for kids that age and they may not be exactly educational, but they do help with coordination and motor skill. Logan's favorite DVD is "Here come the ABCs" by They Might Be Giants. I even like it. Logan's started recognizing letters when they come on the screen and saying parts of the alphabet. Like "c-d-e" or "k-l" He really likes P.

CantWait replied: I like the Leap Frog Drum, it's got numbers and letters....Anthony really enjoyed it for a while also.

gabriella replied: Thanks so much for your ideas.

It's 2.30am here and I've been looking at the sites you've given me but I must get some shut eye now:snooze: I've written down a huge list of things to search for in the shops and will let you know which ones I decide on.

I'll check out the Leap Frog Drum and Here Come The ABCs. Thanks again.

I've seen a fab Junior trampoline also. Sam would soooo love that and it might keep him off the sofa too!!

best wishes,

kit_kats_mom replied: Also, keep in mind that at this age, everything is new and interesting. Even though we have a playroom stuffed to the ceiling with toys (educational and otherwise), Lauren, 21 mos, and I spent a good hour last week tossing a wadded up magazine page back and forth on the bed. She was having the time of her life giggling and laughing. It was just plain silly fun

My3LilMonkeys replied: Brooke is a little older than that, but she loves these wooden puzzles we have. There are numbers, letters, shapes and a few others.

gabriella replied: You're completely right kit_kats_mom,

Sam loves plain old silly fun too and we have the best times following his lead. It can be playing hide-and-seek, rough- tumble and tickles on the floor, imaginary tea-party play, throwing the ball to Bobby ( our miniture schnauzer) and tearing around the house and terrace with her etc, but he also loves quiet thinking time and will just take up his wooden puzzles, building blocks or books and play independantly. It's lovely to watch him enjoy his own company and watch his busy mind investigating and problem solving.

We don't have huge amounts of toys and we're quite selective with our choices but I think he could do with some new puzzles as he seems ready for new challenges.

Thanks chicas,

gabriella replied: Does anybody recommend the Baby Einstein products? They're pretty pricey but are they worth it, especially the box sets?

Thanks in advance.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Knob puzzles, building blocks, musical instruments, Little People, anything from Leap Frog for that age I would recommend.

gabriella replied: Thanks Jennie,

If you recommend something I know it's going to be good. I'll take a look at all Leap Frog products on-line this evening. I never got round to this yesterday and became ingrossed with other brands. There's so much choice once you start looking.

How old is your little man? He looks gorgeous and very mischievous. It's amazing how he looks like both of you. Sam looked like his daddy when he was born...ugly only joking, but he has my colouring.

thanks again

Oh do you know what you're having? It's the norm here to find out during your scan but I know that's not everywhere. My sister didn't want to know the sex of her two. Take care

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Aww, chucks, thanks!

My Tanner is 4. Yes, he is very mischevious (sp?). It's always something with him. He's quirky sometimes. He use to look a lot more like me when he was younger. The older he gets the more he looks like his dad. He is his "mini-me" inside and out!

We don't know what we are having yet, but we will be finding out at one of our next appointments, probably in the next 6 weeks. I would like to know now because I'm just impatient!

About the Leap Frog products, when Tanner was small he really liked the infant and toddler Leap Pad. They also have a lot of musical intsruments that also teach learning concepts that are wonderful. Here is their website: http://www.leapfrog.com/do/findpage;jsessi..._2?pageKey=home

Have fun shopping!!!

Oh, and it's totally not too early to be thinking about Christmas. I already have some presents in the closet that were bought this last month!

gabriella replied: Jennie,

I'm going to check out the site you've given me in a mo but I wanted to write this first before getting an early night 11pm.

I can't believe Tanner is four He's so tall and that big boy bike I swear my nephew looks around the same size and he's 7yrs. ( very cute and smallest boy in his class. Which is funny as his daddy is 6ft 6?) but I'm sure he'll sprout into a giant next time I see him Give me a quirky child any day. Sam can be a bit too predictable at the moment but I'm hoping that will change

As for wanting to know the sex of baby, we couldn't wait to find out. We're like this at Birthdays and Christmas trying to find out what we're getting for eachother. I'm queen impatient when it comes to surprises and need to know

Any preferences or are you going to say what I would say, we don't mind but just pray it will be healthy.....(but you're sort of thinking it would be pretty lovely to have one of each ) Although saying that I absolutely adore my experience with a boy and I bet Sam would love a brother. Ho hum it's all very exciting and I can't wait until we can start with number two.....

take care and Best wishes,

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Well, hubby is afraid to have a girl. He's worried because he says I already have him wrapped around his pinky and he can't imagine what a daughter would do to him. Tanner wants a baby brother because he says he doesn't want pink in his room (he'd have to share his room until we would move). So, I kind of hope it's a girl just to spite the two of them! But, a boy would be so much easier! We already have the clothes and everything. But, one of each would be nice!

lisar replied:
I have to agree with this one. Lexi loved the leap frog drum. It really helped her learn her ABC's. I think I might get Raygen one of those this year.

gabriella replied: Right, daddy is out with Sam for an hour so I'm NOW going to take a look at the Leap Frog Drum Thanks Lisar

Jennie,

So we're keeping our fingers crossed for a girl then Just think you can go out and buy all 'new' and 'pink' stuff. I could shop till I drop when it comes to buying baby stuff. I love H&M baby wear.

My nephew Ben so wanted a brother too and when Megan was born he asked his mummy if the hospital could change her.

As for daddy, yeah there's something special about baby girls and their Daddies. I could imagine Joost (my Dutch husband) getting very emotional with news of a baby girl


gaby xxxx

gabriella replied: I've just had a look at the Leap Frog products and really like the look of the learn and groove Counting Maracas and Alphabet Drum, especially useful to us since we live in Spain. Brilliant

Thanks