Toy suggestion for 13 month old & 18 month old

[Lucysmom]

Hi -

I need a toy suggestion for siblings who are 13 months old and 18 months old.  They are adopted (different birth mothers) so that is why they are sooooo close in age.  The older child is walking and is totally into buttons and levers, etc.  A total boy!  The younger child is a girl who is just starting to cruise and is behind developmentally according to her mother.  She has only been out of the orphanage for a week so this is to be expected.  I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for a toy that both of them would enjoy and that would not take up a ton of space.  I was thinking of the Fisher Price Learning House (my dd has it and loves it) but wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestions.  Quite a few people are going in on buying this toy so money is not an issue.  This would be a welcome home gift for the kids as they will be home on Thursday evening.  I can't wait to meet this little girl!  She is gorgeous!

Thanks for your suggestions! 

[daybyday]

it's not really a toy per say....But I know I would LOVE the box set of Baby Eistein DVD's...(Costco).....it would encompass both kids/ages....

what about other backyard style toys...(do they have enough yard?) especially since spring/summer is around the corner....covered sandbox...little pool (with appropriate toys)....

Another thing...I know you said Toy...but what about a double stroller? Sorry just thinking out loud...or the double pull that attaches to an adult bike?
  or maybe someone has already done this....(I'm also jonesing to get outside....My frame of mind right now heehee  )

[Lucysmom]

Hiya!

Thanks for the suggestions!  For the DVD's, my friend is a teacher so is not a fan of TV/DVD's in general.  And the older child is totally not into them.  Will have to think about backyard toys, maybe even a little playhouse.  They have a real pool so they are all set there.  And she already has a double stroller.  She really left us with very little to buy for her!!!  She is way too organized! 

Thanks for your suggestions!

[jumblebox]

Just a couple of ideas...

Our DS got Mega Bloks for his 1yr b-day; sometimes puts 2 or 3 together, but also enjoys taking them apart (after we put them together) and enjoys putting them in & out of the clear plastic zipper bag they came in. Maybe the boy could build, and the girl deconstruct.

Also, a good outdoor/warm weather toy is a water table or a combo water/sand table. If we had the space, we'd definitely have one. For the ages/development stages... maybe get one with accessories (water wheel, or water/sand toys). The girl, who's just now cruising, might enjoy just standing at the table & splashing, while the boy could pour, etc.

I'm sure there are plenty of other good ideas, just can't think of them at the moment.

[daybyday]

oh that's too bad....I hope no one thought that about me...I'm in education and I only got one baby einstein...and I LOVE it....it's better than most of the "cartoons" that are out there....I find it a lifesaver when I'm trying to make dinner!

But truthfully it's nice that you respect her view (and if LO #1 doesn't like it, it would be a waste)! and are trying to come up with something else that she will use/appreciate!

And I know something my DS has loved since he could crawl is those connect mats...they come in all different colours and have letters and numbers in the middle that come out...

It helps children learn spatial, colour, number, letter, fine motor, patterns...etc

We play games like find all the red/blue etc or I'll take a bunch out and he has to put them back....he's quite good...and it's fun for me TOO!

I think a box ranges in price depending on size $20 and up?

Good luck!

[Erin M]

Maybe if you're chipping in, you could get her a couple of different Little People sets?  They're a huge hit with mine.  Also some cars perhaps, we have these soft ones that Little Tykes makes and my older dd really loves to play with them. 

[bicah]

A couple things my 21 mo old loves, and loved since he was 12 mo. was a ball popper (not sure the brand maybe playskool) elmo toolbench, the fisher price learning house and the parents magazine busy zoo (i am not sure where u are from, but they are sold at target). these are still his favorite toys

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1176409517/ref=sr_1_2/601-0611568-3814538?ie=UTF8&asin=B000H396VY

[MDHmommy]

What about a non-gender specific play kitchen? I've seen some really nice wooden ones that are just natural wood. Great toy, they can play together and it will last well into preschool!

[Lucysmom]

Hi Ladies -

Just wanted to let you all know what I finally got for my friend and her kids!  I got them a wagon that is made by Step 2 called the Safari Wagon.  It is AWESOME and the kids love it just in the house.  It has a door on it so the kids can climb in and out.  Of course, it has rstraints so you can strap them inot the wagon when you're on the go.  Here is the link to the page:  http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2504259&cp=&view=all&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2254197&sr=1&origkw=wagon&kw=wagon&parentPage=search

I also got them the Step 2 Sand and Water Table which they will be able to use outside if it ever warms up here!

But thanks so much for your suggestions and I will  be looking into them as dd's second birthday is coming up soon!