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Original poster

Toy Advent calendar for 2-3 year olds

19 replies

user1573334 · 05/10/2019 17:17

I realise there is already a post today asking about them for 4 year olds, but my youngest will be 3 Christmas week, and in previous years I've got away with him not having one but don't think I will this time. He enjoys playing with proper Lego sometimes but the calendars wouldn't be suitable yet and there doesn't seem to ever be a Duplo one. All the others I've looked at contain tat or boring filler stuff which I really don't want. Eg the Brio one has several doors that have fence pieces and things like a horse's saddle. The Paw Patrol and Hot Wheels have things like cones or ramps that don't look exciting. I don't mind plastic toys if they will be played with a lot but when they have pointless bits I can't bring myself to buy them. I'd rather pay more for all killer no filler. The Playdoh one might be ok, at least it would encourage us to get the playdough out every day? just looks a bit unexciting, has anyone had it or seen any others I might have missed?

OP posts:
Kion · 05/10/2019 17:18

Interested in this also op.

dementedpixie · 05/10/2019 17:25

This is a more suitable age group I think

Toy Advent calendar for 2-3 year olds
RicStar · 05/10/2019 17:31

Thomas minis? It's all trains. Also we had paw patrol last year and it was really nice and only limited filler that did add play value.

dementedpixie · 05/10/2019 17:32

Or this one?

Toy Advent calendar for 2-3 year olds
feesh · 05/10/2019 17:34

John Lewis are doing a car one which I’m getting for DS2

CharlotteFlax · 05/10/2019 17:36

I was coming on to suggest the younger Playmobil one but it's already been done. I reckon it's the best value of all the toy ones out there.

ritzbiscuits · 05/10/2019 17:36

I was going to suggest Playmobil too.

TheScruffyDog · 05/10/2019 18:34

DS had the happyland one last year and we enjoyed it. I'm thinking of getting him the Thomas the tank engine mini's one this year as he likes them in the blind bags. He's 3 the month before Christmas...so next month 😱 my baby is three next month!

I think shleich do a few.

PJ Masks one?

Original poster
user1573334 · 05/10/2019 20:28

Thanks for the suggestions. I've just gathered all our Happyland together ready to sell/giveaway as it rarely gets played with. We've had the Playmobil 123 one and still have the figured.

Thomas one looks great, he does like the mini blind bags, but doesn't like to watch Thomas anymore. I think he'd still enjoy the trains.

John Lewis one has a police man with a gunShock or maybe it's a traffic control gun, but still... Maybe I'm being precious.

I've looked again at the Paw Patrol one and I haven't ruled it out, if I say the boring looking ramps are snow slides he will probably be excited and play with them.

I'll check out this year's Scheichs too.

OP posts:
DreamingofSunshine · 07/10/2019 07:39

I'm certain I saw a duplo one on Amazon.

Could you buy or make a fabric advent calendar and fill it yourself? That's what I'm planning to do.

daisydalrymple · 07/10/2019 12:15

I’ve seen a Lego duplo advent on amazon too.

8by8 · 07/10/2019 12:31

Get a refillable advent calendar (fabric or little boxes) and fill it with small stuff they’ll actually want.

Reuse every year.

Reduces landfill, you can tailor it, include snacks or notes (eg “today we’re having Christmas hot chocolate” “today we’re seeing gather Christmas!”.

TheScruffyDog · 07/10/2019 12:46

8by8 you just reminded me that I bought a refillable Advent calendar! Brilliant idea! In going to look on eBay and get some preloved bundles of Thomas mini's, duplo figures etc and then mix in some chocolate coins and activity stuff "build a nativity from Lego", "make rice Krispy cakes today" etc. My DS will love it

Original poster
user1573334 · 07/10/2019 13:37

That Duplo one linked isn't an advent calendar, it's a Christmas set but Amazon have it as a sponsored item at the top of the search for advent calendars. There are even reviews from people who bought it last year thinking it was an advent calendar and only realised on the morning of 1st December.

We do have a reuseable calendar that my eldest used to use, but the pockets are TINY. And I used to get so stressed trying to come up with 24 things small enough to fit in. Most thinks I could think of were plastic tat. I do have some Thomas Minis and Mini Cars diecasts I bought on clearance, so I might get it down from the attic and see if they will fit.

OP posts:
Userzzzzz · 07/10/2019 23:17

I got a toot toot one for my 2 year old last year and she did play with the main sleigh for ages. There was a lot of shite included though so I’m in two minds whether to get one this year as I don’t want to get stuff they will be wasted.

daisydalrymple · 08/10/2019 09:24

Gosh I wouldn’t have realised that about the duplo one, thanks!
Thomas minis was a big hit here and is still played with two years on. (We did have to keep the calendar though, as he likes to park the engines in their shed and play with them on the tracks!)
We’re going for the paw patrol one this year, as it’s a similar box and I know he’ll enjoy it.

Edthebear · 08/10/2019 12:55

I'm in the same boat and gone for Paw Patrol one.

Last year I did the Duplo set split into bags and some sweets to make up the days. The Duplo set has less than 24 bits. It was a bit over his head last year but I'm sure this year he'll understand it.

Shelley54 · 12/10/2019 14:16

DS was 2yrs 10m last Christmas and loved the play dough set. He still used the cutters and tools from last year. I'd recommend.

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