What does a 2.5 year old want for Christmas?

[chesirecat99]

We (hopefully) have a lovely toddler guest for Christmas but I am at a loss for Christmas present ideas for him.

I know his favourite characters and he loves cars, playing shops and lego but everyone else has already bought him these things as gifts and his DM has run out of ideas

I shall be babysitting on Christmas Eve so I would also like to get a Christmas book for bedtime. What is your 2-3YO's favourite Christmas bedtime story?

I was also thinking of getting a game to play that he will enjoy and can join in but won't bore the adults to tears, something like Hungry Hippos.

What are the toddler must have gifts this year? Bonus points if it is something that will entertain him for as long as possible and doesn't need a playmate so we can let him lose from the dining table when he has finished eating and his DM can eat in peace. I know I am probably being over optimistic there...

DD was given an easel (IKEA one) with a blackboard one side and paper on a roll down the other. She spends ages drawing on that. It is quite big though.

Other hits have been reusable stickers, duplo and orchard games. We have the Rainbow Unicorn one which DD loves.

Tonies are great and definitely not a gimmick, but they cost about £60 just for the player, plus around £10 for each of the characters so it's really a large present. Also I don't think he would get down from the table and play with it by himself straight away, it takes a while for them to get the idea really.

I would recommend playdoh, my 18 month old and 4 year old both love it. And it doesn't matter if he already has some as it's all compatible.

My DS loved pull back vehicles at that age, especially Thomas ones. I think the balls in Hungry Hippos would be too small for him. He also loved his car transporter: www.argos.co.uk/product/7227862?clickSR=slp:term:car:3:324:1

Paw patrol (or similar) figures and cars
Kinetic sand
Craft bits and bobs
Duplo

I have a 2.5 year old DS. He is mad on the schleich animals so we have bought him the farm house, play mat, tractor and lots of extra figurines. If he likes animals you could get a small set as they are expensive. I have also bought DS whack a mole game as he loves that when we go to soft play (obviously the bigger version) got him play doh and book wise he absolutely loves anything Julia Donaldson and he loves the dinosaur series from Tom fletcher. Got him a wooden pirate ship from Aldi too which looks like a bargain for the money.

Toot toot?

I think I would ask his Mum. Children can have very different preferences and very different developmental ages.

Playdoh or kinetic sand, with moulds and tools, both of mine would happily play on their own with these for a long time.

A basic set of hot wheels straight tracks that costs something like £10. You can make tracks down the stairs, or slides down the sofa for cars, marbles, Duplo people.

Wooden train set, Thomas or other trains to go on.

And yes to magnetic fishing game for this age.

If already getting lots of toys from others that will be there on Christmas Day book with gift receipt. If you want stuff him to play with then more the PP suggestions.

Toot Toot Garage gets us the most independent play for my 2yo DS. He loves it.
Other favourites include a transporter and cars, Melissa and Doug ice cream set and large sticker books.

The book has got to be 'Twas the Night before Christmas'
Present wise, I really wouldn't worry too much - maybe some clothes or books or something, sounds like he's going to have loads of stuff already.

Thanks, everyone!

Great Little Trading Company is my go-to for that age

Both my children loved these at aged 2 ….. www.jaqueslondon.co.uk/products/lets-play-junior-dinosaur-car-park

Book wise I’d go for ten little elves great for 2.5 year old…. www.waterstones.com/book/ten-little-elves-book-and-cd/mike-brownlow/simon-rickerty/9781408362495

Board game wise I’d go for simple
Hungry hippos
Phil the fridge
Snakes and ladders

One thing I have bought toddlers/pre-schoolers in the past always with great success were the Melissa and Doug food chopping sets. In fact the cookie one was enjoyed too.
And a safari duplo set. I don’t know if they still do this one but I swear I wanted to keep it. Duplo is excellent and valuable so often passed down families.

My 2 year old's favourite thing to do at the moment is to carry around a bag of her big sisters gem stones. She tips them out, polishes them and then puts them back in a different container. Keeps her busy but I am forever finding them all over the floor.....

Also a big fan of friction car toys

Playmags and duplo are good

This was a big hit too https://www.hamleys.com/catalog/product/view/id/59696/s/woodpecker-feeding-games/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnaeNBhCUARIsABEee8Ux30pbwUSSev4sY0Wa7wG38tp4xo2gilNjONorAwd7u83WbFf4aAnAjEALww_wcB

Hungry hippos is a great game for that age. Mine loves shouting "go" qt the start! Anything paw patrol is a hit here, or cars/diggers/dinosaurs. I've bought my ds a tonie for Christmas and a playmobil fire engine. As for Xmas book, his current favourite is "Father Christmas needs a wee".