To ask what would you want for your 2 yr olds birthday?

[FangedFrisbee]

I have cancer, I can't have children. I see my sister a lot, but I don't want to ask what she wants us to get her kid because she'll just say 'oh I don't mind whatever you think he'll like'

So no budget, nephew is 2 soon. As a parent what would you love someone to get your kid who loves Thomas the tank engine and (fucking) bing..

Please help me. Im between treatments and my brain isn't working anymore.

Or maybe what wouldnt you want so I don't become that auntie?

If you’re well enough a trip out to the zoo etc would be better than a toy x

I'm really sorry about your cancer.

I'd go for magna-tiles / playmags. Great to play with, annoyingly expensive, no harm in having more if he already has some as you can just build bigger things!

Unless you know what they have in terms of wooden railway / Trackmaster stuff. I'm assuming with a Thomas fan he has something like that, but the actual branded thomas stuff that goes on wooden track is such a rip off that it was a very good source of presents for DS1!

Magnetic tiles. DS nearly 2 and DD 8 will sit and play with them for hours. The novelty has not worn off. We didnt opt for the branded ones and got some from amazon. Way cheaper.

DD had a remote control Thomas when she was young that was fun too.

I would want an annual pass to a farm/term of football classes or swim lessons if budget can stretch to this

Nice sandpit or mud kitchen for garden
magformers
Annual farm/ local zoo pass
Balance bike - woom

Honestly I’d ask them.

It doesn’t often matter what kids ‘love’ it matters

• how much space they have both outdoors and indoors
• what functional age/attention span the child’s working at (varies wildly <5)
• what they already have

Id ask them and see what they say x

What's your budget and where in the country are you? What about a family trip to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor?

I'm sorry you're going through such a crappy time

My recommendation would be to avoid large / bulky items that take up a lot of space unless specifically asked for them as it can be hard to fit them in the home. I second PP's suggestions of trip to the zoo, season pass to xyz, etc., with maybe something small Bing/Thomas related as well like PJs, pants (if potty training / starting soon), colouring book, stickers, etc.

Sorry about your health, wishing you the best

Thomas sheeting or a pillow for their bed. A Thomas night light and book. Thomas dvd's or toys. Any toy train that is rated for his age.

*bedding not sheeting.

Happyland toys
Ball pit (if space)
Thomas outfit/pyjamas
Wooden building blocks
Water table
Books

Not necessarily on his birthday - but a celebration close to it
Give your sister a break and take him out for the afternoon - doesn't have to be somewhere expensive, local park or petting zoo with a nice cafe for a treat after he's been in the playground/seen the ducks?

My child is almost two and likes basic jigsaws or puzzles - there must be some Thomas or Bing ones. Also what’s wrong with Bing - I don’t mind any kids tv that isn’t shouty 😂

Sorry about your health 💐

Bing is always moaning! Such a whingy rabbit he winds me right up 😂

My son is nearly 2 and for his birthday we’re getting him a ball pit for the garden, some magnetic tiles, a balance bike (second hand) and some books.

Definitely agree with PPs about tickets for a day out though!

Magnetic tiles are the absolute best!

Many two year olds go crazy for toy tea sets and can spend ages pouring water out and serving tea up to relatives or having parties for their stuffed toys. There is something very satisfying about a tiny ceramic one. Most adults buy kids plastic unbreakable toys, but for that very reason kids often like the novelty of being trusted with something which is breakable. A ceramic set is heavy and goes clink like the real thing.

I always make a point of buying tea sets for little boys, because other people may not have thought of giving them one, whereas girls might have them already. A second birthday might be slightly on the young side for a tea set, but there's a good chance he'll be into it within six months anyway.

It's also small, which is a bonus if toys are taking over the house.

Don't spend too much money though. Obviously it's more than likely some pieces will get broken before long, so it isn't an heirloom and you don't want to be disappointed when he smashes it. £5-10 would hit the spot. Something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275425713282?hash=item4020a6dc82:g:IuEAAOSwCbRhplDw&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwLjimETm9U%2BVFafgdhvciKVZ%2BcpIzwoYKmx86bSTD9IuySOiL40LeJa%2B2ajWYcDoQJZo9ItaNltHkJGrXRWHB8kxGtu5NSopSCNBtfr3Mhs74imURdIL7aX5DSjYrmnGClsz0xI2dpO9G9ydUa8BHdN0Xr8XLrh59qkc3WkEaVb9X5kb97%2BeGhv8lBta7hpPzAw7dCk3NVsCLD12cEsLoho6LTES42%2BZKeH5Ql7tAC9ujk7Du0T5Q8D69wBMIqRpPw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8bcld36YQ

Same as PP have said, magnetic tiles are amazing. We got Connetix at Xmas and my 2yo and 3yo and their 17yo cousin and 32yo uncle all had a ball playing with them! They're pricey but are cheaper versions on Amazon, although maybe not in quite as aesthetically pleasing pastel colours

Magnetic tiles
Play dough
Some funky leggings

Magnetic tiles (the proper brand eg at argos)
a day out if you can even if to local soft play. Time with Auntie is lovely

Mine likes lego duplo, especially the steam train set. She also likes to play outside with a ball (and has several) and loves being read miffy books.

If you have a big budget you could look into getting them a wheelybug.

Parents tend to tell you to get their children "whatever" because they play with everything for a while. It's really trial and error to see which stuff they keep playing with long term. And even then you need to wait it out. Mine didn't do much with her wheelybug the first month, and then was glued to it for months on end and still gets played with a lot.

With magnetic tiles be aware most ( at least I’ve come across) say age 3+ and maybe the parents are cautious about giving such toys to younger children.

Ah yes. Maybe leave them for 3.

Brio train tracks or Duplo; both will last a long time and get lots of use.

I hope you recover soon.

Ooh yes there's a duplo set that comes in a big duplo brick shaped box. Things with their own storage are good :D