Gift for 1 year old- smart trike?

[SpanielFace]

DS is turning 1 next month, and I have no idea what to buy him. We want to get something big-ish that he will use for a while. We're also getting asked by relatives for suggestions.

He's not crawling yet, never mind pulling himself up or cruising, so he is a bit young for push-along or ride-along toys. DH suggested a smart trike, but are they actually any good? What other toys (big or small) do you think he will enjoy over the next few months? Thank you!



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[VinegarDrinker]

We have a similar type thing (not smart trike brand) that we gave DS for his 1st birthday. It's still in regular use now, nearly a year and a half later. We used it for short trips instead of a buggy until he was 2 and started scooting/walking reliably.

[prissyenglisharriviste]

We didn't actually get our kids anything for their first birthdays

It was kinda pointless - they got loads from everyone else, and didn't really care one way or another. We did buy a toddler slide for the garden in the summer time after the first one... 6 months after her birthday...

I honestly can't remember anything else. Don't over think it - they don't know and won't understand anyway!!

[aboutagirl]

This ELC garage here is fab- was played with everyday in my house.

Christmas is a long way off so I wouldn't discount the push along toys, things change quickly - the classic wooden truck with bricks, a nice heavy sturdy buggy (they flip the lightweight ones over).

Mine never crawled and went from sitting to toddling in a matter of weeks!

I have neven known a child been able to pedal a smart trike. They can be a good mode of transport if you have a buggy shy child and don't mind pushing a big plastic trike. We lived very close to a park so it worked for us as it was picked over the buggy. Make sure you get rubber wheels though - the plastic ones make a terrible noise and one where you can lock the steering - otherwise you will never get anywhere!

[SpanielFace]

That's really helpful, thanks.

He's not a buggy-resister at the moment, but who knows what might happen in the next year? I'll have a look at them and think about it.

Aboutagirl, the garage looks fab - thanks for that!

[NoodieRoodie]

My parents bought this for DS for his first birthday and he loves it

[[http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/380474199027?var=gv

[Jenijena]

DS got a smart trike and a sand & water table for his first birthday (generous GPS). Both have been great sodas and both have sticking power, I hope!

[Poppins27]

We had planned in getting our Dd a smart trike but as she turned one earlier in the year decided against it due to the rubbish weather although still plan to get her one.

We also struggled for ideas but I settled with a wooden dolls pram in the end.

Other presents that went down a treat with Dd were a circus tent. To begin with I though 'what the...' But its actually great as we put all her toys in there on a night and shut the doors on the mess. Dd loves having her own space to play too.

Her first music set was a favourite (from amazon, sorry useless with links) and an elephant thing that blows balls out of its trunk.

Also...if your dc is anything like mine...the boxes an wrapping paper are far more entertaining than the contents

[BikeRunSki]

NOT A SMART TRIKE!!!!!!

DS got one from the ILs for his firth birthday. It came from Argos, and was pretty good for about 18 months until he really got into his balance bike (2nd birthday present), by which time it was knackered, joints all wobbly, plastic hollow wheels work through etc.

DD then got a Smart Trike for her first birthday last year, current version of the same kind of model, from ILs via ELC this time. It was utter c*, the parent handle sheared the 6th time we used it, the steering was all over the place and it was a pile of rubbish plastic that cost a million pounds or so! Other reviews on ELC website also show that other people have had similar problems. ELC gave us a full refund, and I've noticed that they no longer stock Smart Trikes.

Trike with parent pole - brilliant, but there's a lot better or cheaper ones out there.

Far sturdier, and about the same price as Smart Trike

Cheaper (Argos do an even cheaper one, but it gets poor/mixed reviews)


DD is now 20 months and has been chasing her big brother around on a Toddlebike for a few months. I'm not sure Little Miss Independent would have been happy on the end of a parent handle for lomng anyway.

[Loupee]

My DS is 1 in 3 weeks. We have got him a Sphervelo (that his Nana has paid for) also a couple bits from the vtech toot range and a megabloks table.
I also wouldn't write off a ride on, even if he doesn't take to it straight away he more that likely will in the not to distant future.
Smart trikes have never appealed to me, not entirely sure why, but not something I'm looking at getting.
Anyone that has asked for ideas, I've been telling the clothes. Will definitely come in handy, and he will be too young to care!

[Mycatistoosexy]

I have just bought an indoor trampoline, some star link thingys and a jack in the box for DS who's 1 in a week.

All from ELC. God bless that shop.

[Mycatistoosexy]

I looked at smart trike but thought that I'd rather get something he could play with more independantly now

[Yika]

My DD got a wooden rocking horse with baby seat for her first birthday and liked it a lot. She used it for a good year and a half.

[Yika]

A trike without pedals would be ok.

[aboutagirl]

How could I forget the Playskook busy ball popper - here Yes the music will drive you demented but it provided hours and hours of fun in our house - when the batteries run out you can have a rest from it and rediscover it a few weeks later!!

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

DS is one this week. He's getting a second hand little tikes garden rocker from us, DD's old scuttlebug trike (won't be able to use this yet), a push along dog on wheels from grandparents and Brio trainset from other grandparents (from their attic). Assorted Duplo from other relatives. And a balloon.

He's lucky to have a big sister and lots of doting relatives!

DD had a sandpit for her first birthday. Still played with daily by both of them, three years later.

[Yika]

Smaller toys: stacking pots. Cheap, unbelievably versatile (stack them, nest them, pour in and out, throw, look at the pictures on them, drink out of them, you name it) and they will be in use for years.
Toy gadgets: remote control, phone, camera, etc.
Toys that you can fill up and push or pull along.

[SpanielFace]

Wow, thanks for the suggestions, loads of ideas there!

Loupee, I've never heard of a spherovelo before - I love the styling on it! I might just buy one to put in our living room! Are they as good as they look?

Judyandherdreamofhorses - just wanted to say you have the best name ever! I love Belle & Sebastian.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

They are fab aren't they? I could listen to them all day.

Just wanted to suggest these, if you haven't already got them. Most played with 'real' toy in our house (DS prefers hairbrushes and silicon bun cases!).

eggs

[Loupee]

Yeah, they do look fab.
I've only seen one in the flesh briefly at a friends house, and DS was too young for it then. Her DS loved it tho! Also my DH loves it as looks vaguely like a motorbike!
Ours should be getting delivered in the next few days, the temptation not to open it straight away will be difficult!

[eeeksoexciting]

Loupee can you let us know what you think of the Spherovelo when it arrives, I agree they look awesome and would like to know if they live up to the image!

[Loupee]

Ooh, the Spherovelo has arrived, but as its a gift from his Nana he won't be getting it until his birthday in 2 and a half weeks.
Looks wise, it looks great, very sturdy looking, and doesn't take up a lot of space.