Present ideas for a 2 year old

[Karena]

Brock is turning 2 in about 6 weeks :ohmy and I have no idea what to get him for him birthday.

I want something that isn't replacing a toy that he already has that was Harry's. I want something unique for him and something that's different. I don't want to go down the whole commercialism road and get him a whole of stuff with lights and sounds, that will a waste of space in a month's time.

I'm totally stuck and just can't find any inspiration.

Atm he loves Elmo and animals.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jodiemiller]

For my kids it was always puzzles, books, toys they could manipulate and fix (using a simple tool, like a spanner or screwdriver for kids), trikes/rockers, dress up costumes of any persuasion, paints and brushes or crayons and pencils, play doh and accessories for shaping, duplo lego, bat and ball games.

Or personal bed linen (say with Elmo or animals), own plate, cup and utensils, water bottle and lunchbox?

It all seems so long ago ....

[Karena]

Nick and I have been looking at these:
http://spiralgarden.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36&products_id=179
and
http://spiralgarden.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_40&products_id=363

I really like the felt bag and the felt pocket people too but even though I said the bag comes in blue or purple, Nick thinks it's not "boy enough" oh dear. Brock really likes bags and carrying things around so may have to think about a bag of some description for him.
Thought???

Thanks Jodie for your thoughts, as I was reading your list I was thinking, yep he's got that, yep he play's with that, yep Harry had that. This is why I went searching at Bel's place :2lol

[michelle_j_r]

for xmas we gave the kids this (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-MONTESSORI-WOOD-MOSAIC-Non-Toxic-CUBBYCLUBCORNER_W0QQitemZ110483049414QQcmdZViewIte mQQptZAU_Toys_Hobbies_Wooden_Toys?hash=item19b94d8 bc6) and (bugger! no construction set on ebay, maybe ask Shauna but photos of it on my blog (http://chellesblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/fun-out-of-the-sun/))- both the kids love them and they are both toys for him to "grow into" cos although Darcy plays with them both now he does not come anywhere near their full potential. But the things they both create with them is just wonderful.

A set of schleich animals? (can never get enough of those!)

[chooky]

mmm... I'm stumped! does he already have bike of some description?

[Stardust]

Does he like cooking? What about a cooking set with rolling pin, gloves, shapes etc? Umm....a lovely wooden Noah's ark type set or zoo set maybe? A bug catcher? Does he have one? Mol loves doing that then setting the bugs free. Books are always a winner;. Rose Loves animals too. Her fave books are those with photos of other kids or animals in them.

[mama_bel]

I like both of those Debresk products (tractor/cart and truck/car sets), and the Anamalz too. They're something you can collect each b'day, or others can give if they're a hit? All the Debresk vehicles are cute and sturdy. Bags are good, and drawing books with crayons, dress-ups, a special towel or pillow case, the cup etc stuff that Jodie suggested. Two year olds are pretty easily pleased, I reckon. It's one of my favourite ages and I could never understand when people said "terrible twos".

[michelle_j_r]

oh, dress ups! i second that one. You can't have enough capes or cloths that turn into coats/skirts/masks/wings/tentacles etc!

And i think 2yrs olds are good too. I could make a list to the moon of things that either of my boys would enjoy (Bel, i'll have to take a photo of those block crayons from you! Man, they are holding up well! Darcy has given them a hammering!)

[Karena]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions.

I too love the 2 year olds. It's just hard for Brock because he plays with all of Harry's toys and he just doesn't seem interested in other toys. Love the idea of dress ups, the crayons and the cars.

[michelle_j_r]

if crayons would suit him then definately have a look at the block crayons from Bel. Their colour is sooooo much nicer than regular crayons and they are tough!! And i like how you can draw using the point for sharp colour or turn it sideways and use the flat edge for a shaded effect. They are nice crayons.

[Karena]

Yeah he does like colouring, so may have to add that to my list when I go shopping at Bel's. :2lol