So the toddler grandkids are coming over to spend the weekend eh? And you’re afraid they will be bored with the same old toys you’ve had around the house for months. Yep, it’s time to venture out into that vast, complicated and costly expanse known as “New Toyland”. But how do you know what to get them? There are countless options out there. What will be a hit? What will get discarded after 30 seconds?
It’s always a roll of the dice. I remember last December buying my toddler grands a toy Christmas tree with different color ornaments they could hang and arrange in different ways. In terms of holding their interest it was an epic fail. They did, however, take a liking to the box the tree came in, turning it into a fort and climbing in and out of it for hours. Sigh.
Oh sure, you can cop out and buy them some character from the “Frozen” movies. I guess that’s okay if you don’t mind listening to the dang thing play the chorus from “Let It Go” incessantly. We’ve gone that route. I have come to despise that song. I hear it in my head everywhere I go. It’s playing in my dreams. Somehow, some way I’ll get back at Disney for doing this to me. The worst versions of this toy are the ones that are motion-sensitive. They start playing the song just by picking up vibrations around them. Every time Sharon and I walk through our den we hear the song kick in, no doubt from a Frozen doll that was buried under the furniture or stowed away in the fireplace. You can’t escape it!
For this reason I recommend skipping the Frozen toys this time around, or any toy that sings, buzzes, rings, or recites poetry. You want nice, quiet, soft, benevolent toys. Yet engaging and fun. For my money you can’t go wrong with building blocks…..nice, quiet building blocks. Legos are always a winner, but I found a few others that I would think would be cool if I was a toddler.
One of them is called Suction Kupz. They are brightly colored silicone cups with suction edges at the top and bottom. Kids can stack them and stick them on to walls, windows, tables, almost any surface…or just drink their juice from them. A set of six sells for $14.95.
Another version of this sort of toy is called Tobbles Neo. They are uniquely shaped and weighted and can be stacked. The ad says kids never get tired of the blocks toppling, spinning, balancing, wobbling, tilting, and wiggling. A set of 84 units is listed at $26.95.
As a kid I always loved dominoes. Now there is a modern day version called Zoo-Ominoes. The dominoes are animal and tree shaped and come with obstacles, staircases and other contraptions. A young mind could set up all sorts of creative chain reactions. The kit contains 200 units and the price is $29.95.
I found these and other ideas at a website called fatbraintoys.com.
Best of all….not a single one of them plays “Let It Go.”