Showing posts with label Toddler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toddler. Show all posts

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Christmas Gift List #2 Toys for Tots


I was playing with my kids tonight and remembered I still needed to put together a toy list.
Every single items listed in this post is in our home. No one sent us the items, no bias here.
These are the items my children truly love to play with. 

All are the perfect price for gift and can all be found online. No lines!
Happy Shopping :)

#1 Motor Works


The greatest thing about this toy is that every single member of my family enjoys it.
The baby and the boy love the "electric" drill and playing with the assembled toys.
My daughter loves figuring out how to build it.
My husband and I love that it's easy enough to figure out.

I got a ton of stuff from this company a few years back by hosting a party.
Turns out they make a ton of durable, age appropriate toys.
I love that they sell replacement parts, too.

Other great toys from them include the Measure Up Cups, Go Go Caterpillar and Playful Patterns.
I actually own quite a bit more, so let me know if you have a question.

#2 Playmobil (Knights & Ballista Set)


Playmobil makes the greatest imagination building playsets.
My kids love the movable parts and interchangeable pieces.
I know these toys will be around for generations to come.

Other sets they love include Pony Farm with Carry Case and the 1.2.3 Playground (for younger kids).

#3 Edushape Sensory Balls


This was a random find from a friend, said they got them at Costco one year.
They are soft enough for indoors, strong enough to last outside, and no one gets hurt.
If baby George was making this list, this item would be number one.


#4 Nerf Guns


These last forever, and all of the kids love them.
They have a "laser beam", pull back and extra dart storage.
My kids love to set up targets, or shoot at each other from behind forts.

We also love the N-Strike Reflex Dart Blasters.

#5 Encyclopedia Britannica Interactive Science Library

Encyclopaedia Britannica 3-Book Interactive Science Library: Earth, Space, Humans

I could have put this in the book gift list, but I see it as more of a toy.

Hope you find these ideas useful!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, because I love Amazon Prime. I never recommend anything unless I love it!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Christmas Gift List #1: Children's Books & Etsy Finds

Henry & I may fight all day, but we always end up snuggled up like best friends at the end of the day reading our favorite books. I thought I'd put together a list for those of you out there looking for something wonder-full to give away this holiday season.

I also thought I'd show you some fun Etsy finds with our favorite characters or similar things you could buy to go along with them :) These favorite's aren't in any particular order, except that I may have the books I last read on my mind.

#1 Where does Maisy Live?

Where Does Maisy Live?

This is a hard cover, lift-the-flap book, perfect for those rough little guys.
This reminds me, if you are looking for gender neutral books, Maisy is perfect. Henry and I had a good arguement awhile back about whether or not Maisy is a girl or a boy, despite the fact that Maisy was wearing a dress in the picture (another Maisy book). 

When I read it to Henry when he was 2 I would ask "Does Maisy live in the pigpen?" to which 
Henry would reply "Nooooooo". Super cute. These days we are reading the actual words.

I found this super cute smock on Etsy that would pair perfectly with a Maisy book:

Childs Apron or Smock - Size Small - My Friend Maisy
Buy it here from pinkiepetunia
#2 Toes, Ears, & Nose


"Peek-a-boo" books are perfect for toddlers.
This book is great for babies when they are learning new words and more mature toddlers
who can repeat a few lines on their own. 

It cracks me up every time Henry says "keeps my belly button out of the breeze".
Inside joke? No, it really says that in the book.

For some reason the toy that came to mind for this one is an I Spy bean bag.
My sister-in-law made these for the kids one Christmas.

I Spy Bag - BUGABOOS Treasure Hunt with Picture Card - All sales helps support our sports activities and summer camps.
Buy it here from kidbiz2010
This book and this toy are great for kids who like to point, find, and talk about anything
and everything, which is pretty much all of mine.

#3 Is Your Mama a Llama?


Of course not, silly.
This is one of those rhymey books that kids love to listen to.
I like the use of unusual animals such as bats and seals.
And it's one of those - kids finish the sentence - type of books.

I couldn't resist this Etsy find.
It's a pattern, yet another reason to learn how to sew.
Who knew Llamas were so popular on Etsy.

Laura Llama Doll PDF Pattern
Buy it from bitofwhimsyprims

#4 Disney Classics Story Readers, Me Reader

Disney Story Reader Me Reader and 8-Book LibraryDisney Classics Story Reader Me Reader and 8-Book Library


What can I say, my kids love electronics.
We have both of these sets of Disney books, each with 8 of our favorite Disney Tales.
Henry and I take turns either pushing the buttons or turning the pages.

I am seriuosly amazed at how well they can condense these stories into 10 pages.

Not impressed? Consider this:
The pages and buttons are color and shape coordinated. When we got the first set
at the beginning of the year he didn't know what pink or a triangle were. 
Now HE tells me what colors and shapes to push.
And if I've got to hear a story over and over, it had better be a good one, which the Disney tales are.

I think it'd be cute to get one of these bags to go along with it:

Minnie bag
Buy it from imperfectprincess

#5 Press Here


This is a very interactive and silly book.
As you read along with your child, they are asked to press the "buttons" and shake the book. 
As they follow the instructions the circles change.
Henry received this one for Christmas last year and I didn't think it looked all that interesting.
I should've known, since it came from the famous Aunt Debbie, that it would be great.

Love this art print to gift along with it:

Primary Colors Art Circles - 8x10 Print - Red Blue Yellow
Buy it from papermoth

I look forward to bringing you more great gift ideas and Etsy finds.
I'd love to hear yours, too!