toys for nearly 7 month old

[beanlet]

I know this has probably been done to death, but we think DS is a bit bored at home with mum/dad, and I'm not sure his toys are fulfilling his needs at 7 months. He has soft toys, a skwish, teething toys, a play gym with (creepy) sunflower that plays songs when he hits it, maracas and a rattle, some lamaze toys (e.g. firefly), board books.

However, he has been going to nursery for the past month, and they have EVERYTHING. He comes home and seems really bored with what he has at home.

We're not about to go out and spend stacks of money on more stuff, but is there one or maybe two toys you would really recommend for this age group that we don't already have? Shape sorter? Stacking cups? Blocks?

Definitely stacking cups at this age, also my DS loved and still does his soft stacking blocks (I got them in mothercare) they have bells inside them. Actually that's another thing... musical instruments, DS loves his maracas, bell and tambourine. He's almost 10 months now and still plays with them.

YY stacking cups. Nice and cheap too.
Toys that can be rolled around are good too, try a soft ball, or we had a soft cube thing that played different tunes depending why side it was on, DS was obsessed with that at about same age.

Rainmaker?
Toy car keys or mobile phone, something with buttons on that makes sounds

I would save shape sorter and blocks for a bit later

Just read your post properly you already have maracas. Does he have a ball?

DD is now 8 months and her favourite toys at the moment are:

Horrid Vtech baby walker (the one with the activity centre thing on the front that you can detach - with noisy things and lights, urgh it is headache-inducing but she loves it)

Playskool stacking activity blocks

Marks and Spencer stacking cups - they have holes in so you can use them in the bath, which she loves loves loves. And they're only about a fiver.

She has shown quite a bit of interest in the Vtech lighting up ball thingummy but not bought her one as not seen them anywhere (she plays with one that belongs to a friend when we visit).

Mother care sell a 'cage bell' which is her most favourite toy ever. It has a handle to chew on and makes a loud jangle. They're about £4 I think.

Treasure basket. Definitely. Google 'heuristic play' and you'll find lots of examples. It'll last for years too.

another vote for stacking cups... hours of fun!! also paper cups, spare remote controls...in fact anything not officially a 'toy' seems popular! For big things (we have a standing up activity centre) try ebay - much cheaper than buying new and you won't feel bad if it's only used for a few months

Thanks for everyones advice - we've ordered some stacking cups and some blocks. Bit daunted by how many toys there are out there in the world!

Ooh yes treasure basket. I bring mine out maybe once a day and it keeps her happy for about 40 minutes.

I filled a box with random crap from the pound shop - silicone cupcake cases, tumble dryer balls, a cheap little remote control, that sort of thing.

emsyj

Hello, Puppy calling do you want to play with me? Let's have fun together while we learn our ABC... :o :o

Let's play puppy says... Puppy says, 'clap your hands'!

Aaaaaaaaaaagh!

I haven't the heart to take it away tho - she hearts it.

Dance to the Island beats!

ARGHHH!

When you put the phone back and she says "Well done"! My son just presses the button and grins at her praise.