Which toys do you recommend for toddlers?

[April241]

I have 2.5yr old twins and I'm looking for new toy ideas.

Just now they have so much plastic crap and it's driving me mad, it's EVERYWHERE!!! Under the couches, the units, the beds. I'm constantly clearing it into storage boxes only for be hauled it the next day. They don't even play with it as such because it's all just bits, they just chuck it around.

What kinds of things are good? Preferably not huge as we only have a 2 bedroom flat and not lots of wee bits that end up as hazards for my feet.

Oh, additionally, I think I'm bagging up all of the plastic crap and if they don't look for it after a week or so I'll get rid somewhere.

My daughter has just recently stopped playing with weebles. She played with them daily from about 1.5 till a few month ago and she's now nearly 4. My son has now started playing with them - best thing I've ever bought

A road mat and some cars will keep them amused for a long time. 2.5 is awkward as not yet at three where there is more choice for toys. But if they dont put stuff in their mouths you should be ok with cars (just not the micro ones yet).

My son is around the same age and he loves:

Brio train set
Cars
Play dough
Stickers - I got some reusable melissa and Doug ones
Puzzles
Play kitchen
Doctors set

I know some people here think it's beyond precious but we've had lots of fun with Grimm's rainbows and little wooden figures (I think they're called nins?) and the plan toys beehive toy which we were given at Christmas. There's scope for building and playing with characters. And they look nice when tidied away! 7yo still likes building with the rainbows and used them to make caves for her How to train your dragon toys too so they do last...!

I love anything Mellissa and Doug. We also have the toys in separate toy boxes and bring a separate one out each day so they play with “new” toys.

My 2.5 DD loves her dolls house at the moment that she got for Christmas, dollies and toy food

I suggest storage boxes and rotation .

I am a childminder and I have the current must have toys ( train set currently but then rotate the other toys

suggest storage boxes and rotation

This

My daughter loves her toot toot sets, her aqua doodle, her toy kitchen and also the hoover (going to be buying her a toy one)

The toot toot sets are always out as not small, but then she has other toys such as musical instruments, building blocks, train set that are all brought out on rotation

The kitchen is great, she spends ages 'cooking' and trying to feed us and her babies

Thanks everyone, great suggestions.

I've got the IKEA kallax for storage but it just ends up everywhere, I think I'll change up the storage and put some boxes away in the hall cupboard where they dont go. I like the idea of pulling them out for a change of toys.

They got a wee kitchen for Christmas which they love but it's really poor quality, a big plastic one that all the bits and stickers just fall off, im on the hunt for a better one that'll last a long time.

The Ikea play kitchens are very sturdy and not plasticky. Also recommend Melissa and Doug. My toddler loves nothing more than a picnic/tea set we got from Jojo maman and playing picnics with her cuddlies.

Another vote for IKEA kitchen. We got it when my eldest turned 2. 2.5 yrs down the line is by far the most played for thing we have bought and gets used by both children everyday. Still looks in great condition.

My 18 month old has a pull along trailer thing and he worships it. Loves filling it with said plastic crap and pulling it round the house. He also loves the real hoover and his toy one.

The Christmas haul of stuff with bits has about reduced me to tears. Half of it is completely useless without all the parts and I’m not nearly restrained enough to get each toy out individually and put it back when he’s finished.

Brio is the beginning and ending of everything for DS2 (nearly 3). Get a BigJigs starter set and see what they think (major brands are all compatible).

Ooh IKEA, thanks I'll have a look! Never heard of Melissa and Doug so ill have a look there now too