Product Spotlight: Toys

bserena · July 2020

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions about, S+TMs to share their prior experience with, and everyone to share what they're eyeing in the world of maternity, baby and postpartum products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week we're discussing toys!

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to navigate and respond to.

For S+TMs:

Individual (e.g., lifestyle) factors that might influence your choice:
Favorite toys (brand, style, etc.):
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
What you like and don't like about it:
Is there a toy (brand, style, etc.) you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Is there a toy (brand, style, etc.) you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
Additional thoughts on toys (brand, style, etc.)?:

For FTMs:

Toys (brand, style, etc.) you're interested in:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
Any questions for S+TMs?:

To view past Product Spotlights or the upcoming schedule, see

here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Aqb8MGEYn0PQtTuPg16w7-ypItLmVIMNyU5AteGqodM/edit?usp=sharing

crizz13 · July 2020

STM+ here.

So I am anti pretty much anything electronic. I'm happy to get in to the why I'm so anti electronics especially for kids under two, but I won't get on my soapbox here. I will say I'm a teacher and a huge child development nerd. For toys for babies I am a big fan of black and white books or things they can actually interact with. Both of my girls LOVED oballs and plush dolls as well as a variety of things from Manhattan toys. https://www.manhattantoy.com/collections/all-baby?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_4fbo8fA6gIVTOG1Ch0T0Qw1EAAYASAAEgLbuPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I am also interested in a lovevery subscription for this little guy. They definitely did their research around what makes sense developmentally at each age and provide great guidance for parents with each box. https://lovevery.com/

bserena · July 2020

@crizz13 thank you for sharing! I am definitely interested in your take on anti-electronic baby toys, as well as anyone elses thoughts on the matter. As a FTM, I don't know much about anything, lol!

crizz13 · July 2020

**Disclaimer, I know this is a hot button topic for a lot of families and we do what works best for our own situations. This is just our personal family decision**

@bserena So to start with, the AAP says "Avoid digital media for toddlers younger than 18 to 24 months other than video chatting. For children 18 to 24 months, watch digital media with them because they learn from watching and talking with you. Limit screen use for preschool children, ages 2 to 5, to just 1 hour a day of high-quality programming." They have a whole section on their website about technology and kids. https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Children-and-Media-Tips.aspx#:~:text=Avoid%20digital%20media%20for%20toddlers,day%20of%20high%2Dquality%20programming.

There are mountains of research about how the first two years of a baby's life are critical for brain growth and development and that they learn best through human interaction and exploring their environments. Toys where you just press a button and the toy does something for you really require no actual thinking. It is better for babies to explore, turn things over, grab, manipulate, etc. and talking through it with them, or commenting on what they're doing. I'm a fan of any toys that come from a Montessori type background. Wooden, classic toys are the way to go for us. I also personally can't stand the beeping and flashing lights that come on a lot of baby toys.

For our family that also means that all TVs and screens are off until our kids go to sleep (under the age of 2). We make an exception for FaceTiming with family. For our big kids, outside of pandemic times, they are allowed one 1/2 hour show on Saturdays and one on Sundays and we have just begun a once a month Friday movie night as a family. For us, the screen is a tool that I control and use when I need it.

Here's an old article but quick read that I connected with. https://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/features/avoiding-an-electronic-childhood-six-tips-for-replacing-screen-time-with-?fbclid=IwAR1nQ76z_HyrYoTs4r3QYHKOmGejbD-OAuoZnQd5trTk5El0V3hPTgjVDtI

bserena · July 2020

@crizz13 Thank you for the explanation and the links! I will definitely check them out and I understand your reasoning for sure.

I have purchased mainly books so far and have been holding off on toys/activity centers/etc until the baby shower, as I figured we will probably get stuff like that from friends and family.

vetgirl2011 · July 2020

@crizz13 Thanks for the information!

acdc1109 · July 2020

@crizz13 We aren't nearly as strict about screen time as your family (we legitimately need to get better about this!), but I 100% agree about the toy situation! We do have some light-up/electronic toys but usually for the most annoying the batteries "die" soon after we get it and don't come back (we've gotten some pretty obnoxious ones as gifts that couldn't be returned). Anyway, all that to say that we love melissa and doug toys, especially the wooden ones and the puzzles! I also recently discovered B toys at target and they're pretty awesome too! My favorites are a drum with an instrument set and a little pretend vet clinic with keys to unlock all the doors.
I had to edit this to add that green toys are another favorite! They make all kinds of different vehicles and play sets out of recycled milk cartons which I think it just the coolest!

crizz13 · July 2020

@acdc1109 Yes! Love Melissa and Doug and the B brand...we have the instrument set too and their activity block is a favorite.

hedgepig · July 2020

@crizz13 We're with you 100% on screen time and electronic toys. MH and I just can't stand the electronic noises, and for the most part they aren't good developmentally. We don't have a TV set up in any of our living spaces, and DS has only recently been allowed some small amounts of computer screentime (mostly because he discovered it at Grandma's house).

@acdc1109 +1 to Green Toys - we basically want all of them!

We love Hape, Plan, Green Toys and other sturdy, multi-use toys that encourage imaginative play. For more on simplifying the toy situation, we were inspired by reading "Simplicity Parenting" by Kim... something.

name1109 · July 2020

I’m team no plastic or electronic toys. Well I started that way. I think at this point we are almost a Hape, Green Toys and Melissa and Doug store. For baby babies I’m majorly into non-toxic paints/finishes or toys period. That being said as the kid stops putting things in their mouth we’ve gotten more lax on plastic and electronic toys. In our playroom we do have a plastic light up piano, a plastic car twirl thing and a plastic light up dance toy. Our youngest is now almost 3. We also have a ton of legos, duplos, dress ups, play kitchens, magnatiles, blocks, an art closet, puzzles and games. The theory I’m trying to stick to is moderation and moderation in moderation. COVID came and so did the tablets. So now the kids want to wake up and play tablets less than 30 minutes while I’m trying to get myself up in the am. (We also stick to shows and movies on the weekend)

For baby 4, she has a play mat, will not have any plastics, everything will be non toxic. I love bells for little people. I truly love all things Hape.

babywiik · July 2020

I'm a FTM but I do have an opinion about toys especially after being a infant/toddler and preschool teacher. I stear far away from toys that have only one purpose and the child doesn't have the opportunity to use their imagination. Im more into toys like legos, duplos, magnet tiles, geometric shapes, matchbox cars, (realistic looking) small animals, blocks(of different materials and shapes), etc. I love toys made from natural materials and for kids who are interested in playing kitchen, Godwill is a good place to find small wooden bowls, lightweight metal pitchers and small serving utensils. Probably cheaper and will last longer than the flimsy plastic sets that are popular at toy stores. I also am a firm believer kids don't need so many bought toys. For example, something like a tub of sand(or rice or beans if your indoors and don't mind using food as play) with measuring cups, empty food containers, etc will keep a kid busy for a long time while also building their brain. (Great for toddlers who dump EVERYTHING!! Sometimes they need assistance keeping it in one place 😄) I think one of my biggest pet peeves is to see big kids (like 6 and 7 year olds) fighting over noisy baby toys which have no purpose but makes a little sound when a button is pushed🙈🙉 As of now, when faced with toys my brain autimatically switches into teacher mode and i think about what the child could learn from said toy. That being said, I guess we'll see how it goes when i have my own kid😅
Edit: I can't forget books! I don't know if they're considered toys but I LOVE books!😍

jaclyn0405 · July 2020

I am the anomaly here for sure. We have a little but of everythingggg. From plastic to wood to making noise to not. But honestly it has worked for us. We do blocks, puzzles, stickers, rice buckets, kinetic sand, xylophones, and drums to FP robots, speak and spells, golf sets and Maileg mice and Dinkum dolls. She has a food truck (which is plastic) but one of her favorite toys and the cute set-up for her Bitty Baby. She independent plays for hours and absolutely loves it and also watches cartoons, movies, Super Jojo and Baby Shark.

All this to say, do what works best for your family. She is wicked smart (which sometimes scares the crap out of me lol) and I do not feel like I have "damaged" her in any way but letting her explore a little bit of everything. That is just my two cents on the other side.

Also ETA: @babywiik yes! One thing I will not compromise on is books. We have close to 150 if not more books in her collection and it is a non-negotiable for me. We read all the time! As someone with an English degree, she was going to like books whether she wanted to or not lol.

mwagensomer · July 2020

@crizz13 Yes!! As a pediatric SLP this is what I try to educate parents about! Put down the phone, turn off the TV, and get on the floor and play with your kid! The TV isn't going to teach your child to talk! It's all about PLAY!

Toys like stacking or nesting cups, push/pull toys, a mirror, shape sorter, board books, family photo book are great for the little ones. And as they get older toys that build their imagination; dress-up toys, farm set, or pretend food.

potofgolden · July 2020

What are your favorite books to read to LO or your favorite childhood books?

My favorite was Go Dog Go by Dr.Suess. I bought it for DD1 in English and in Spanish.

So far her favorite book is Old McDonald Had A Farm with the Poke-A-Dot

Melissa & Doug Children's Book - Poke-A-Dot: Old Macdonald’S Farm (Board Book with Buttons To Pop) https://www.amazon.com/dp/160169024X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ip3fFb16EFVR9

I definitely want to build a large collection. I should go raid my moms house, I’m pretty sure she kept all of our old books.

ksd20 · July 2020

so far I've bought my 18 month old 2 toys. An o-ball when he was 5 months and we went on a 12 hour car ride and more recently a Baby Stella (with buttons and snaps) to practice being a big brother.

We've been gifted a lot of toys from family and friends and I prefer the non-electronic ones (wagon, ball, blocks, shape sorter, pull back cars) but he does have a few noisy toys that he enjoys.

He also loves empty containers and lids (tissue boxes, puff/ cool whip container), kitchen utensils and tissues. So there's that haha

We also have a ton of books that we rotate through and keep a couple in his room, the car and others in the main living area.

dumbledoredies · July 2020

We have all different types of toys. Wooden, electronic, blocks, books, etc. Some of them I've bought. Others have been gifted.

We use the TV. I kept it under 1 hour a day until DD hit 2 years. Then it went up to 1.5-2 hours a day. We are currently probably somewhere within 2-2.5 in these times with covid and having nowhere to go and no extracurricular activities. I'm a SAHM and cant just sit on the floor entertaining a 2.5 year old for 12 hours a day. He's hit all of his milestones and has honestly learned a ridiculous amount from the programs that he watches. Sesame street has been great. He's also learned a ridiculous amount of stuff from Blippi. Things that I couldn't teach him!

I'm very aware of screen time. I always have been. But I also think that with anything in life moderation is key. I've heard way too many stories of parents restricting things like sweets, tv, etc. with their kids and then as soon as the kids have more freedom they go overboard with it. IMO screens are a part of life now so I dont want to overly restrict something that is just part of life and want to teach DS how to use it in moderation!

I would never judge anyone for what they do in their own house though!

magdaaaa · July 2020

@dumbledoredies PREACH sis! this house runs on Thomas and Mickey Mouse some mornings. im a part time WAHM and I can't work and entertain a 21 month old all day everyday. not to mention its 157 degrees outside so yeah. any who - you do you boo, don't sweat it!

all that being said, we do have maybe 1 electronic toy which is that vtech learn and play walker which doesn't get any use these days. we have lots of riding toys (John Deere kid over here, Thomas the train also), and tons of blocks, BALLS, shape sorters, stacking cups, lacing toys, cars, trucks, slides, nuggets, balance board. all that to say he reads his farm books all day and throws whatever is nearest to him.

Bridger (that's LOs name) will be getting all of big brothers toys and im certainly not buying a single thing except for maybe a new Sophie teether.

magdaaaa · July 2020

@potofgolden we LOVE the "classics" (or what I consider classics anyway) - very hungry caterpillar, chicka chicka boom boom, goodnight moon, runaway bunny, guess how much I love you

then we also really love all things Sandra Boynton - so cute!

potofgolden · July 2020

@dumbledoredies why aren’t your kids watching HP yet! 😬 DD is obsessed with Sesame Street, we never watched it as kids, I recently found out why.. my mom hates the voices and she says she deals with enough monsters in her life. 😂 I’m like really mom you denied us educational programming! DD also loved cocomelon and Baby Shark.. I know Baby Shark is about to come out with a program and Cocomelon is about to come out with toys. My niece is obsessed with Blippi, we haven’t watched it yet.

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