ds1 2.8 and ds2 8 months -- want ds2 to inherit good, sturdy toys and also have something special of his own.

[oregonianabroad]

any ideas?

wooden train tracks for DS 1
duplo
Megasketcher

wheely bug - genius

Lego Duplo
alphabet blocks
Board books
Brio train set
Ride on wheely bug things-come in 2 sizes
kitchen/shop and play food

he loves his Duplo stuff, am going to get him something to add on maybe.

Am contemplating a kitchen, but will he play with it???

I love the wheelie bugs, but he has a ride on already (cheap plastic thingie). can I really justify the expense? hmmmm....

what do your kids REALLY love to play with at this age?

And also, ds2 has tons of baby toys and will inherit a shed load of stuff from big bro. I would like him to have something special just for himself, am thinking of a special book perhaps?

for ds1 workshop/bench with tools etc.... same lines as kitchen. Ds1 got this when he was 2 and now at nearly 4 he still loves the tools and the hard hat.

For your ds2 I am not sure, have same problem with my ds2 (also 7 mths) all he seems to get is hand me downs whereas dd (also 7 mths) well you could get her anything

[http://www.urchin.co.uk/product_categories/40/products/5041-junior-tradesman-building-kit i think ds1 would love this]

[http://www.urchin.co.uk/product_categories/44/products/1916-big-top-sounds this] for the younger ones?

sorry, those links should be:

ds1

and

ds2

OK, ds1 is getting 3 biggish pressies (Boots 3 for 2!) that ds2 will inherit when he's a bit bigger. But am in a real quandry as to what to get for ds2 (8 months). I've got them both some new books, and some needed clothes & socks. He's already got about a million baby toys & cuddlies (hand me downs and gifts). SHould I bother getting him a biggish thing (like a walker -- ds1 had one at same age and wore it out), or stick to a few smaller toys, and if so, what??!

Oregonian, DD was just 1 at her first proper Christmas and we didn't get her much; just a book I think. She'd just had a birthday and there were gifts from extended family.

Having said that, if you don't have a walker, it makes sense to give it for Christmas. Your DS2 won't notice that DS1 has more parcels to open.

I have a toy kitchen for dd and my 2.5 year old nephew absolutely loves it and plays with it every time he comes over. It's a wooden one so pretty robust. Dd got it last Xmas and has played with it every day since.

Yes, toy kitchens are fab. We got ours from the car boot and if anything DS plays with it more than DD.
She is more interested in pretending to eat than pretending to cook!
Good toy for siblings to share and to encourage fantasy play later on.

Thanks otherside & liath.
I went for a walker, a pull along doggie & a spinning top (which was part of a 3 for 2 deal -- am such a sucker for marketing ploys). He'll also get some books.

Didn't want to spend on a full sized kitchen so I bought a mini one for ds1, but am keeping my eye out for a good deal on a full-sized version and might return the other one. I like the idea of a wooden one, but I'm sure they'll be expensive, no?

This one is lovely www.elc.co.uk/toy-43171 and has been reduced by £75. Still rather expensive but there are plenty of 20% off codes you could use to reduce it to £80.

That is lovely. Nicer than my real kitchen! Outshines our plastic Berchet one but we only paid 5 euros!

Wow 5 euros, can't complain about that.