Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Should I buy it?

76 replies

WishUponAStarbar · 26/02/2019 11:32

Maybe doesn't belong here but this is the busiest section of mumsnet.
Looking for presents to buy DD for her first birthday, I don't want to buy lots as she loses interest in things quickly, alot of her Christmas toys are abandoned.
I've came across the "wobbel board" it looks good, can be used with all ages and apparently helps the child use their imagination. I've found one for £80 although some are £120. My mum says it's a waste of money for a piece of wood. But the reviews are good and it's something that will last? Does anyone have any experience with one of these? Is it a waste of money or is it better than buying toys with lights and sounds which she already has lots of. I feel it would be worth it but willing to hear others opinions.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 26/02/2019 19:36

I am gobsmacked that a piece of freaking bent wood is £120!!!!!

That is ridiculous

Original poster
WishUponAStarbar · 26/02/2019 19:45

@OneStepSideways that's funny that they posted that. I had already come across the babipur website before posting this.

I'm still a bit undecided to be honest. My DD's birthday is not for another few weeks so I have time to think about it. I'm kind of leaning more towards gettin one, but some of the things peoole are saying are quite right, so they are pushing me back a bit haha. I just want something that will grow with her, I wish I knew someone or a place nearby that had one so I could see how she was with it.

OP posts:
GiveMeSteam · 26/02/2019 19:51

soubriquet I think we’re not used to the true costs of manufacturing any more: if you buy a European-made product made from European materials it’s going to cost much, much more than something made for slave wages or even something made on the enormous scale of Ikea manufacturing.

GiveMeSteam · 26/02/2019 19:56

OP I think the Wobbel is great but if I were you I wouldn’t buy one based on what you’ve described. I bought one due to that first world/middle class problem of needing to spend grandparents’ money on the kids, and it’s been great, absolutely no regrets there. But your daughter is too young to care right now. Of course you want to germt her something that she’ll love but cardboard boxes as per a PP’s suggestion would be just as great!

GiveMeSteam · 26/02/2019 19:56

Germt = get. Obviously Grin

NCforthis2019 · 26/02/2019 20:02

Pointless for a 1 year old.

Whymustyoubringinthebirds · 26/02/2019 20:11

We looked at the Grimm rainbow and ended up with this on:

www.amazon.co.uk/Montessori-Waldorf-School-Semicircles-Stacking/dp/B075S8KFFG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?psc=1&ref=plSrch&keywords=little%2Bstar%2Btoys&th=1&dpPl=1&dpID=41TIpQ10lUL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1551211629&sr=8-1

Looks brilliant, I’m really pleased, if you have a look at the companies Facebook (little star toys) page it updates with when stock will be in as think rainbow might be out of stock just now and they where giving £5 off so I got the rainbow and semi circles for less than the cost of just the Grimm rainbow

Barrenfieldoffucks · 26/02/2019 20:17

There are loads of others similar to Wobbel, I can't remember which ours was now. There's a small family company on Facebook which looked good, young and learning or something? Will have a look.

I'd rather buy from brands with a known ethical standpoint than miscellaneous copies from eBay or whatnot, that's part of the price tbh.

I haven't shopped from Babipur for a long time as there as so many companies selling the same brands now.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 26/02/2019 20:18

Besides, total copies irritate me.

caffeinebuzz · 26/02/2019 20:19

DD has played regularly with hers since about 15 months (now nearly 2). It's not like the toy kitchen which can absorb her for a long time, but more something that makes it's way into her imaginative play (cars, dolls, shop counter, etc) and she will stop and have a little wobble or slide as she walks past it.

I would highly recommend, but with a bit of a caveat that it only really works for us as it can be out all the time in the playroom. It takes up quite a bit of floor space and I can't see it as being something we'd go to the hassle of using if it were tucked away in a cupboard.

Purpleartichoke · 26/02/2019 20:27

For our DD’s first birthday, we took her to the toy aisle and watched to see which toy struck her fancy. We bought it with her in tow. Then gave it to her on her birthday a few days later.

Purpleartichoke · 26/02/2019 20:28

Consider a Bilibo chair. Much cheaper and the kids loved rocking and spinning in them.

PippilottaLongstocking · 26/02/2019 20:29

Don’t listen to people saying it’s pointless for a 1 year old! My boy is 18 months and loves his, I’d go for the smaller version though as my boy can move his around himself but wouldn’t be able to with a bigger one

Barrenfieldoffucks · 26/02/2019 20:37

This is the one I was talking about

www.youngandlearning.co.uk/

VelvetPineapple · 26/02/2019 20:49

I like the idea of a Wobbel or similar, I’m planning to buy one for my 1yo this Christmas. The Creatimber boards are the cheapest, they’re £80 but most shops offer 10% discount so you can get one for £72.

riddles26 · 26/02/2019 20:56

We have one that was just over half the price but a different brand, still produced by a European company using sustainable wood which was ethically sourced. Never bought from Babipur as I prefer smaller retailers but would buy from Babipur over Amazon.

However, I would second the recommendation for a toy kitchen for first birthday and consider a board/Grimms rainbow for 2nd or 3rd birthday. Ours is played with everyday in a range of different ways - definitely used much more than all our battery operated plastic toys have been so far and I'm sure will continue to be as children grow up

Barrenfieldoffucks · 26/02/2019 21:02

Our youngest's favourite present for 1st birthday was a busy board, my dad made it. Just a board with loads of locks, keys, pulleys etc on it.

AbsolCatly · 26/02/2019 21:15

Already been recommended but do look at bilibo - DD has 2 and they are seats, rockers, step stools, wobble/spin toys, helmets, shells not enough snow to take them out yet but they can be used as a pull along cart in the snow and will float in the paddling pool too

Very versatile and worth it for us

My fav recommendation for 1st birthdays though is an adult sized charm bracelet which can be added to over the years

Original poster
WishUponAStarbar · 26/02/2019 21:56

Thank you everyone for your opinions and recommendations, if anything this thread has now given me gift ideas for my daughter for Christmas and maybe 2nd birthday too.
The creaTimber looks like my best choice financially if I go for this toy, I'm going to have a look at the bilibo now... see what this has to offer Smile

OP posts:
Jamiefraserskilt · 26/02/2019 23:51

Bought mine a play cube. Excellent piece of kit. Cost about £30. About 2ft square, wooden and each side has something interesting to do. Spinning, guiding, mirrors, wire and bead maze, numbers, colours, all sorts. Kids used to use it to pull themselves up on it. Probably the best you I ever bought.

ScotsinOz · 27/02/2019 06:19

My kids would not have used the wobble board at one. For their first birthday we purchased them both a Smart Trike, similar to the picture attached. It meant I could push them to the park or shops when they were little, then as they grew they could peddle themselves. It was a nice change from the double pram too! You can also remove the handle to allow it to be used independently as they get older too.

Good luck in deciding.

Should I buy it?
malificent7 · 27/02/2019 06:41

I don't understand those that say it's not worth getting a present for a 1 year old as they won't remember it. What a mean attitude!

Original poster
WishUponAStarbar · 27/02/2019 06:59

@ScotsinOz she already got a smartrike 700 for Christmas. But thanks for the recommendation

OP posts:
GiveMeSteam · 27/02/2019 09:47

I don't understand those that say it's not worth getting a present for a 1 year old as they won't remember it. What a mean attitude!

In my case it’s more like: you end up with a mountain of stuff when you have children, so why collect more than you need to before you actually HAVE to give gifts at specific times whether they need/want anything or not? And if money might be an issue down the track, then I’d say hold on to it until you might need it.

Personally I hate presents for the sake of presents. I LOVE getting something I really want, but I loathe consumerism for the sake of it. If that makes me a mean mother then I guess I must be 😈