Whats a good toy for a one year old?

cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 11:40

I have to buy something for the little boy, he's coming up one soon.

I walk into the toy shops and all I see is licensed schlock thats just not fun to play with, various soft toys that are a dime a dozen, things that make noises and other chintzy crap.

I have gotten him quite a few Melissa and Doug wooden toys as well at my wife's instigation but they don't really go the distance either.

The only toys that I have gotten good mileage out of are Thomas trains, various trucks (he likes his Chuck tumblin truck) and a little candle powered put put boat.

Does anyone know of any good toys that will actually occupy kids for a while?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • StewBalls on 18/08/2015 - 11:52
    +2

    The Little People range from Fisher Price, good quality with quite a bit of variety & price range across sets too! :)

    • cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 12:20

      Yes, good point. He does have some Playmobil figures. We had the Little People boat but water got into it and the speaker stopped working.

  • ESEMCE on 18/08/2015 - 12:04
    +1

    Swing ($30 at bunnings) - attach to tree/pergola and you're set.

    • cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 12:18

      You're probably right. Maybe I should get them a trampoline or something as well.

      • ESEMCE on 18/08/2015 - 13:25
        +2

        Tramp is for older kids.. I wouldn't look at them until at least 5.

  • spackbace on 18/08/2015 - 12:13
    +1

    My Pal Scout (and Violet for girls)
    Plug it into a computer and it will know your kid's name, can tell it what they like, and pick 5 songs.

    Will be a go-to for a couple of years :) My 3yo now knows the songs it sings lol and managed to find 1 at a garage sale for my 9mo, gave it a clean, plugged it in and it works perfectly :)

    http://www.kmart.com.au/product/leapfrog-my-puppy-pal---scou…
    http://www.bigw.com.au/product/leap-frog-my-pal-scout/p/WCC1…

    $29 @ Kmart and Big W

    • cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 12:21

      Thanks for this, it seems quite good. He does have the Fisher Price smart stages puppy, but this might be better.

    • cannedhams on 28/08/2015 - 16:30
      +1

      Just to add, I ended up getting him one of these for 15 quid on gumtree. Many thanks.

  • altomic on 18/08/2015 - 12:30
    +4

    a big cardboard box with a door cut into it.

    • cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 12:34
      +1

      That always works. One of my more creative friends made a castle and a kitchen from boxes. It just hurts do much when you do that and then the little mongrels destroy it.

  • cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 12:35

    Is there some junior kids version of a potters wheel? I wouldnt mind teaching them how to throw pots. Maybe I can make one out of an old blender or something.

    ETA - nevermind http://www.kmart.com.au/product/cre8tiv-kidz-junior-pottery-…

    • altomic on 18/08/2015 - 13:17
      +1

      those pottery wheels suck. one of my kids was given one for a present.

      • cannedhams on 18/08/2015 - 13:57

        yeah they look a bit cruddy. Not much space on them either. I suppose they just use air drying clay.

        There are a few guides on youtube showing you how to make potters wheels out of lawnmover engines and such, but knowing my skills, they would end up throwing the kids rather than throwing pots.

  • Cheap Steve on 18/08/2015 - 13:28

    Bath toys. Always a winner.

  • ProjectZero on 18/08/2015 - 15:38

    Depends on whether they are breast fed or bottle fed… if the former, than what your username means would be perfect ;)

    On a more serious note, I think playdoh? Not too sure if there is an age restriction but I remember i used to love playdoh and lego as a kid.

  • ESEMCE on 18/08/2015 - 15:58

    Blocks are good for a 1yo (provided they're large)
    Plastic Tricycle

  • djones145 on 18/08/2015 - 16:02
    +1

    a box wrapped in wrapping paper

    they will enjoy that more than anything inside!

  • drjoe27 on 18/08/2015 - 19:33
    +1

    IKEA children's tent

    • cannedhams on 19/08/2015 - 19:21

      Good idea, but grandma got him one of those. Still gets a good workout though.

      • drjoe27 on 19/08/2015 - 19:56

        Glad to read that as I'm buying one for my nephew in October

  • pandabun on 19/08/2015 - 09:33

    how about jumping jolly? I find baby toys are waste of money. Our son didn't play with his baby toys much.

    • cannedhams on 19/08/2015 - 17:33

      is that a jolly jumper? I think we have one, but find it hard to hang it anywhwere as we are in a rental

  • lenlynn on 19/08/2015 - 10:07

    Maybe not for one year olds unless he is really advanced but I tend to give "Smart Games" blocks for presents. They are for kids 2 yrs up and tend to be useful for a few years as each set will have different levels of difficulty.

    For 2 yr olds: http://www.smartgames.eu/en/smartgames/bunny-boo

    • cannedhams on 19/08/2015 - 17:33

      thank you for that, it looks really good

  • Euphemistic on 20/08/2015 - 09:45

    First birthday you should be getting them an iPad. Nothing else is good enough.

  • tonyjzx on 28/08/2015 - 17:50

    A cardboard box. Mine sat in a 24" monitor box as if it was the best thing in the world.

    I dont think a 1yr old needs that many or expensive toys. Mine used hand me down crap. Its only up to 3-4yrs old before they can appreciate the more complex toys.

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