The fan favorite of F19 (as in, every single kid in my bmb has one): the Winkle. It's inexpensive, and easy to grasp. Basically the first toy that DS ever really interacted with.
Other than that, my H and I (and DS) really like the Lovevery boxes. It's a subscription box that comes every two or three months (depending on the child's age), with age-appropriate toys that are montessori-based. They're very well-made toys (non-toxic, usually wooden, sturdy), and I like the service because each box includes a booklet of ideas for playing with each toy. Some of the toys focus a lot on certain skills, too, which was helpful for me since I don't have any early childhood development education, so how to work on skills like fine motor was new to me.
We've gotten a lot of use out of them, and we didn't buy any other toys for the first year of DS's life because the Lovevery boxes supplied all the toys that he'd need/want. I think they're a good value for what they contain, especially if you're like us and won't be buying additional toys. But they are expensive. The Lovevery website details what's in each box, so you can look and see if you think they're worth it. They're very upfront about what each box contains, so you're not signing up for a mystery box or anything like that. And it's easy to cancel (you can do it via the website; you don't need to call and jump through hoops).
@hannahbananas11 thanks for the info on the Lovevery box! I have wondered the best way to go about figuring out what developmental skills to work on at a given time and how best to do it so that sounds like it might be worth the money! I will be looking into it
Loved the kids stuff from ikea! It's cheap but pretty well-made. We had the playmat, baby gym, and wooden stacker toys and shape sorters for DD. They still look like new for DS.
Rainbow Baby? {2.1.21} MC at 8 weeks {EDD 9.2.20} Rainbow Girl! {2.28.16} Baby boy, lost at 16 weeks {EDD 6.10.15}
Re: Product Spotlight: Toys
Other than that, my H and I (and DS) really like the Lovevery boxes. It's a subscription box that comes every two or three months (depending on the child's age), with age-appropriate toys that are montessori-based. They're very well-made toys (non-toxic, usually wooden, sturdy), and I like the service because each box includes a booklet of ideas for playing with each toy. Some of the toys focus a lot on certain skills, too, which was helpful for me since I don't have any early childhood development education, so how to work on skills like fine motor was new to me.
Silicone fruit teethers
Indestructible books
Fisher price sit me up chair
Spinning stacking toy
@jumpy57 we love the indestructible books too and all of the Fat Brain toys. My kids at almost 3 and 5 still fight over the Dimple.
MC at 8 weeks {EDD 9.2.20}
Rainbow Girl! {2.28.16}
Baby boy, lost at 16 weeks {EDD 6.10.15}