Like I've mentioned before, in an effort to keep all the baby stuff to a minimum, we made sure to purchase very few toys for Cheech. But now that she's *so close* to sitting, herself, I think the three rattles and Sophie we've kept in heavy rotation for the past six months are getting a little old/boring for her. I was browsing through Giggle's website and was enamored by their selection of wood toys. Perfect for a baby that is starting to gain a little independence, don't you think?
Love wood toys! PlanToys make really great ones. In Portland, we have a few "swap shops" which are clubs and playspaces where you can swap your toys and clothes as you need them. It's pretty great, and we have gotten some really nice stuff for Dax as he needs different things developmentally without having to feel like it's such a big deal to bring big things home, knowing that they will have a good home after we're done.
ReplyDeleteThat said, we have a lot of toys since we got a lot of hand-me-downs, but only keep so many out at a time. In the middle of winter when it's raining all the time, it is a lot of fun to get out the box of toys that's been in storage for months and to dig through with the bored baby.
Why do you want to keep baby stuff to a minimum? Is it so Cheech isn't overwhelmed with toys? Or is it a home/design thing?
the FRUIT. i love it.
ReplyDeletewood blocks! stick with the classics.
ReplyDelete@intwosometwiminds oh maybe i should organize a swap! but how do the parens of the oldest kids benifit, youknowwhatimean?
ReplyDelete@jamie Hm, well, my swap shop is a big co-op that has a large space inside of a church nearby for play and storage of toys and clothes. It has a pretty large bank of clothing and toys for kids of all ages, up to 9 or 10, and has two small rooms designated for those older kids too, with Legos and art supplies. Not everything is for swap, which makes it appealing all the time, no matter what comes in and out. There is a $30 monthly fee for being a member, and at least one person that is employed there -- everything else is member/volunteer-run.
ReplyDeleteBut it would be interesting to brainstorm a smaller-scale swap scenario in a community!
@Jamie Maybe you could get donations from parents whose kids are a bit more grown and just looking to get rid of stuff.
ReplyDelete@intwsometwiminds well, we currently have our sofa bed set up and barricaded by pillows, which we use as our makeshift playpen, so i don't think it's a home/design thing i'm so worried about. ;)
ReplyDeletefor one, we don't have the space. we live in a one bedroom apt that i also run a business out of. and second, i think we're just a little concerned with giving her too much. in other words, spoiling her. i think it's easy for most people (myself included) to go a little crazy and buy excessive amounts of things that children don't need. obviously, i want her to have toys to play with, but i don't want her to become accustomed to SO MANY toys that most of them end up getting ignored. i think this has a lot to do with the fact that we're only planning on having one child. all that said, i am learning that children (or, at least my child) bore easily and having too little toys can actually in many ways deprive them. i guess i'm just trying to find the middle ground.
Love those blocks and the fruit! When my daughter was just starting to get into toys I found this article that had some tips/ideas I really liked: http://aperfectplayroom.com/?p=1325. Personally, I try to find toys that will continue to appeal at different levels as she ages. One of her favourite things has been a FP "Little People" house I got used for $5. It has buttons in every room that she could push for music or sounds. Now she's putting the people in and doing more imaginary play. Another great thing is a few lightweight scarves (you can pay big bucks for waldorf "play silks" but I went dollar store). When she was younger, they were great for games of peek-a-boo, now she uses them to "change" cookie monster's diaper, put her stuffies to bed and dress herself up. Tons of scope and play for $4.
ReplyDelete