Baby Toys That Are A Hit & Toys That Are A Miss. 2nd Edition. 12-36 Months.

 

Baby Toys That Are A Hit & Toys That Are A Miss.  2nd Edition. 12-36 Months.

‘The Ongoing Twinpossible Toy Test’ continues.

4-14-2011

 

 

Welcome back for the 2nd edition of ‘hot toys for little ones:  The Twinpossible toy test.’  Since the twins birthday, we have been through some more toys over here, and have had ample time to review them. 

 

Some of them have been really on, and some had us moving on.  Some were unsafe, and some were just flat out boring for our babies.  Like before, I’m passing these recommendations and misses, along to you.

 

 

 

 Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s First Blocks

You know we all had something like this back in our day.  You slip the different shaped pieces through the holes inside of a little box.  The problem?  Fisher-Price made these hole openings just the perfect size for a toddler of my twins’ age, (13 mo.),  to get their little hand and arm stuck in, leaving them screaming for mom, who has to come and pry it off. 

 

Now I thought that maybe it was a one time freak occurrence.  Nope!  Allie proceeded to get her hand and arm caught in the hole yet a second time before I placed this toy downstairs until a later date.  Yes it educates the mind, and is a good toy for brain development, but not for 12 months old like it says, unless your child has big, chunky arms.  Wait until they are a little older for this one.

Solution:  Make the holes bigger Fisher-Price.  DUHR!

  Buy Now!

 

 

 

 

Disney 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Ride Activity Ride On.

Now this I absolutely fell in love with.  I had to have this ride on at first glance, and thought this was going to be the most awesome purchase.  I was very quickly let down.  I did have to hunt down this item in stores all over the place because it was too late to order online, and was hard to find in the princess motif any place that I went.

 

It wasn’t cheap either.  With tax it was about 70 clams.  Yes, $70, which for a ride on that is NOT battery powered, it is a lot of money, however, it seemed to be a great ‘grow-with-me’ type of toy they would surely love.  The music and moving figures in front, excited me at first glance.

 

We put this beautiful toy together, and it looked terrific.  Then we placed a baby inside.  Now, I liked the fact that it has the bars around the baby for when they are younger.  It’s almost like a high chair type of seat, which is nice, and most other ride ons don’t have it. 

 

The problem?  ‘Where’s the belt?’  The seat belt that is.  There isn’t one.  So in essence, all that little ‘barred seat’ up top does for your baby is provide them a place to put their hands, and push themselves up to a standing position, potentially falling and breaking their necks.

 

I could not keep either of the twins from standing up in this thing.  Time and time, and time again.  There was no two ways around it.  Without a belt, unless you got a really peaceful, calm child, if they are able to stand, they are going to stand in this thing.  Another con is that everything you want to change: install the rocking base, put the adult hand bar in, turn it into a ride on, you need a screw driver for, and it’s a pain. 

 

You’d have to take a screw driver with you to the park if you wanted to play around with this.  The seat is too wide for little rears and legs to sit comfortably, in my personal opinion, and it does tip over fairly easily.  BIG, big, disappointment, despite the good reviews I had read on it. 

 

Now this beauty is sitting in my basement.  Now at 2, might it be a better toy?  Yes, but you are paying this steeper price tag to get different stages out of the thing, and so it doesn’t pay at all, in this mom’s honest opinion.  Buy something cheaper, narrower, and just plain safer.

 

Solution:  Put a dang belt on this toy.  A lap belt or something to keep baby in, because it’s dangerous and it would cost all of $.50 to remove this danger.  Why oh why don’t they have seat belts in these things?  Also, to help us parents out, why not let the pieces ‘snap in’, instead of everything screwing in.  It would save time, and make life a lot easier.  These companies really DON’T know babies.

 Buy Now! 

 (Best price.)

 

 

 

 

Little Tikes Smart Trike.  

Baby where have you been all my life?  This is an absolute pleasure of a toy.  It’s pricey yes, but you get a lot out of it, and your baby will have it for at least 2-3 years, so that makes the price seem much more reasonable.  Models range from $99.99- $129.99.  Some reclining models which I would love, are a bit pricier.  (Some are on sale for $79.99 on Amazon.  Have a looksy below.)

 

 

The best part.  Not only are these adorable to look at, but babies love them, and they can use them as early as 9 or 10 months of age.  All models feature a 5 point safety harness, so your baby is at no risk of injury from falling out while they are young.  Eventually, this is used as a regular trike for your child.  It features a canopy, a musical play phone on some models, and an adjustable parents handle in back to push baby around with. 

 

 I did a detailed review on this one, because I am very pleased with it.  The ride on should go back to the store, and it will pay for most of another one of these.  I’m definitely getting another.  A great and SAFE product for your infant/ toddler.

View Models & Buy Now!

 

 

 

 

Playskool  Busy Tumble Top.

 This is a good toy, it’s just not really a toy you buy an older baby, like after 10 months of age.  Somebody bought this for the twins 1st birthday.  They barely paid attention to it, though yes they can push it themselves, they are now on to bigger and better things, so it’s kind of a waste at this particular age.  Very cute toy for a baby say 6, 7 months old. 

 

I think in that age range, this push and play ball popping contraption would be quite the rage, but after 10 month or so, I’d say it’ll be all washed up by then.  So be sure and grab one of these, but only at the right age. 

 

The manufacturer says 6-24 months.  I have never met a 24 month old who would have interest in this toy.  Great for smaller babies though. Even 4 or 5 months and up, though you will have to push it for awhile, for them.

Buy Now!

 

A great ‘big kid’ solution?

 

 

 

 

 

Fisher Price Laugh And Learn Musical Table. 

 

This is definitely one of the twins favorite toys, if not THE favorite over here.  In fact, my only regret is not having had purchased it sooner.  From standing age, like 9 months on, this table will entertain, educate, and delight your infant(s) and toddler(s). 

 

There are a wide array of great learning functions and terrific music to enjoy.  My girls love to dance to the tunes.  It has a nice variety of them, and really does give you plenty of bang for your buck.  I was surprised that such a small table would have so much to do and to learn, but it does, including: Colors, numbers, letters, and even Spanish!  They love it.

 

The only problem, is one of my twins is a chimp, and enjoys climbing the toy and standing up in the air.  So we never EVER leave them unattended for a second, but likely any normal baby won’t attempt this.  She is sure to be in the circus one day.  She balances on everything like there is no tomorrow.

  

IF they do…solution:  Take the removable legs off of the toy, and place it on a flat surface like the carpet.  Babies can still play but without the height risk.  Really great for those cruising babies who are learning to walk and scoot around.  I know this would have been enjoyed months earlier, but is still a hit, and I presume will be, for some time to come.  Totally worth the price tag.  RT. $44.99- $49.99.

 

OH..keep an eye on the removable phone.  It’s in no way a hazard, but it  is not connected by a small cord, which would be nice, as long as it was really short.  (No strangulation hazard.)  It can get lost.  For a little while anyways, much like a remote control.

Buy Now!

 

 

 

Little Mommy twin dollies.

If you are looking for a SAFE 1st baby doll for your twins or even a single baby, (you will just have two of them), and they really are two for the price of one, so it’s not a bad thing.  You will find what you are looking for in these adorable twin baby dolls. 

 

They say 18+ months, but are perfectly suitable for your one year old, as they have NO removable parts to choke on, like shoes, socks, a hanging binky.  And these are just the perfect size for babies in this age range to hold & to cuddle with. 12-36 months.

 

The shoes are on permanently, which is great.  They are light-weight, so your baby can walk around with these easily, and the price is pretty nice to.  Your baby or twins might just get attached to their new found friend.  I really like these dolls, and while granted, children are more attracted to toys that make sounds and ‘do something’ at this age, my girls do like their baby dolls. 

 

 I for one like them having something, even if it’s just 1or 2 things, without all of the bells and whistles to enjoy, like I did as a child myself.  These are great, and two for two…what could be better?  Note:  It does come with a small bottle and something else I can’t remember.  I just took those things out & put them aside.  The doll itself is PEFRECTLY safe.

Buy Now!

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I will have another edition to this post, in a few month’s time.  Until then, buy safe, buy smart…have fun!  Happy shopping.