toys recommendations for a toddler who loves putting things together

[ratbunny]

my 18mo is very into putting things together.
He currently enjoys jigsaws (2 pieces, which he can do), building blocks, those peg jigsaw things, and train carriages which he loves putting together.
Things like stacking cups etc are not enough for him - he likes to sit and work things out and for it to be a bit tough.

can anyone recommend anything else that involves putting things together, or in or on iyswim?

[2point4kids]

My ds used to have a wooden pyramid thing that he spent ages fitting together. It was from Mothercare.
How about a train track which he can line his trains and cars up on? My DS is nearly 3 and still does that ALL the time!

[amidaiwish]

some things here

or my DD loved this construction car

tool box

[Seeline]

Duplo by Lego is meant for the smaller children - I think most ses start at 2yo but if he likes that type of thing,and with a bit of help/supervision, he'd probably be fine.

[ratbunny]

ooh yes, the construction car and tool box are exaclty what I am after.
I get so fed up looking for dextrous toys that dont have TINY bits!!!

[margoandjerry]

interested in this thread - my DD is at this stage. I wondered about

this which actually looks quite complicated.

On a slightly different note - not construction related particularly - I wondered about getting her this dishwasher here because she is obsessed with ours and I thought she might like to open the drawers and close them and stack all the bits inside...anyone had this toy and can comment?

[amidaiwish]

oh yes duplo, my DDs still play with it (DD2 is nearly 3, we got it when DD1 was about 18m) big hit.

[margoandjerry]

sorry to be so dense but do you just buy one of the buckets of duplo and off they go or did you start with one of the themed ones (duplo thomas the tank engine thing). They look a bit more advanced?

[wingandprayer]

I found out only the other day that they now make Meccano for 2+. Chunky pieces to make simple vehicles etc so if he's not one for sticking stuff in his mouth he might be OK even if technically a bit young. I saw it in our branch of The Entertainer - not on their website unfortunately but maybe Amazon?

[AnAngelWithin]

ooh theres something thats like giant magnetix that ive seen that looks good. will see if i can find it.

[AnAngelWithin]

here

[amidaiwish]

at DDs nursery they are all mad about mobilo. haven't seen it for sale anywhere though.

[ZacharyQuack]

Kid K'nex is great. My 2 (3 and 5) use it everyday. It has lots of interesting shapes and creates non-linear (not "blocky") shapes, very good for aliens or creatures.

[ratbunny]

do kids knex and junior magnetix have bits that an 18mo would eat?

[amidaiwish]

re duplo margo, i got them a big tub of it, but they really started getting into it when they got a dora & diego zoo kit from my sister for christmas.

they've been playing with it for years! they don't make the complete "scene" like on the cards, they just do bits and make up whole adventure stories.

[ZacharyQuack]

Kid Knex has got some smallish bits (about 1.5inch long, pencil width) that could possibly be eaten by a determined toddler. If you wanted to buy it, you could store the little pieces away until 18mo is past the eating stage, the rest of the set will still work.

[ratbunny]

what are sticklebricks like? are they any good?

[margoandjerry]

that's really helpful amidaiwish - DD loves dora and I didn't know there were Dora themed ones...will do that for birthday. thanks

[amidaiwish]

ratbunny i bought sticklebricks when DD1 was about 1 and she was never really interested in them, even later. not sure why, just didn't seem to engage with them. DD2 was the same, they were there in a box just the same as the other toys but if they ever did play with them they seemed to get bored or move on after a very short time.

[SlowDown]

My ds went through a sticklebrick obsession when he was 3.5! Would say duplo is a must have, a big standard box of it will be played with for years. Wooden train set is also a classic (brio or alternatives). In ELC they also have big buttons in a tub, think they say for over 3 so check safety. But they are good for taking in and out of a container and also fit/stack together www.elc.co.uk/toy-41896

My dd who is 20 months loves her older brother's Georello Park toy. It's prob not safe enough because it has small pegs (I watch dd closely), but she LOVES fitting the pegs into the holes. It is a great toy for older ones as well, it has gear wheels you fit together. See www.justchildsplay.co.uk/productdetails.aspx/GeorelloPark/1442/ (Sure your ds will love it in the future!!)

Have you got a toy library near you? They might have stuff you could try out.

So many toy opportunities, how exciting