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Original poster

Similar ideas to polly pockets - 2.5year old boy

90 replies

Caspianberg · 09/09/2022 12:09

I’m looking for something like this for my toddler at Christmas, probably add to stocking.

I basically want a small play set that we can take with us when popping to friends without children , or at a restaurant or on the train. He draws or uses stickers but doesn’t last long.

Have just ordered him the Narwhal pollly pocket which I don’t think is too ‘girly’. But we aren’t that bothered if it is.

Im sure I remember having like the Lion king mini polly pocket type set, and my brother having a marvel thing?

Any ideas would be lovely. Ideally £10-20 bracket, but could go more if it would keep him still on a plane or restaurant 20-30 mins. Needs to be small enough to go in hand luggage handbag or toddler size rucksack

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/09/2022 17:08

Usborne Books do great stickers books for this age. On each sticker page, peel off the "negative space" which makes it easier for then to get the stickers they want so less interruption.

I have a designated Grab Bag with dinner entertainment stuff in that I update as they grow. Flying Tiger is good fir small toys.

Mochudubh · 09/09/2022 17:15

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/09/2022 12:39

I used to bring a few Superzings zipped into a coin purse.

I read that as Superkings, definitely too young for those😯

carefullycourageous · 09/09/2022 17:18

'I don't think it is too girly' gave me the fucking rage Angry

handmademitlove · 09/09/2022 17:24

Busy books are great - always lots of choice in bigger supermarkets or on amazon..

backwhiteandredallover · 09/09/2022 17:29

Playmobil used to make smaller sets in carry cases. I also used to use a small lunchbox and pop in duplo or Lego or craft bits with crayons.
There are loads of ideas online for ones you can set up yourself. Try Pinterest.

Original poster
Caspianberg · 09/09/2022 17:32

@carefullycourageous - why? I mean ‘ I don’t think it’s something that’s girly/ boyish, hence why I bought one or happy to buy’ ie any recommendations can include anything perceived as ‘girly’ by others. I just want a toy suitable

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carefullycourageous · 09/09/2022 17:56

Caspianberg · 09/09/2022 17:32

@carefullycourageous - why? I mean ‘ I don’t think it’s something that’s girly/ boyish, hence why I bought one or happy to buy’ ie any recommendations can include anything perceived as ‘girly’ by others. I just want a toy suitable

I don't want to derail your thread, but what you wrote was Have just ordered him the Narwhal pollly pocket which I don’t think is too ‘girly’ which I interpreted to mean that some toys are 'too girly'.

If you meant 'I don't view any toys as being inherently girly/boyish' - that is not what I got from your phrasing.

I am increasingly Angryabout how the word 'girly' is used very frequently. It is a long time since I was at school and these issues are going backwards not forwards.

Original poster
Caspianberg · 09/09/2022 18:12

@carefullycourageous - not at all. I was writing this whilst wrangling said 2 year old in playground so it’s probably not grammatically accurate.

Ds is always being called a girl as longish hair, the fact he wears ‘clothes’ rather than always ‘boys’ styles. So I’m definitely not worried about either style. If someone on here told me they do a mini Barbie kit that is amazing and kids love, and compact it would be Straight in my Amazon basket regardless.

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user375242 · 09/09/2022 19:33

The best travel toy I ever had for my toddlers was a buckle buddy. All of mine were obsessed with buckles, I assume that is universal. Can't remember when they grew out of it though

oreobiscitz · 09/09/2022 19:37

Is 2.5 a bit young for PP? Such small fiddly pieces

Saisong · 09/09/2022 19:43

We had a small bag of dinosaurs from the natural history museum that travelled everywhere for a few years - it aquired a few random farm animals/sleich figures mixed in too.
Also we had a box of mixed Thomas jigsaws, 10 or 20 pieces each I think, which I bagged up and always had one in my handbag.
The other thing that worked (maybe for a little older) was a special small notebook and pencil. Kids would ask me to name an object - Apple etc and they would draw it, and when old enough write axletter or word too. We still have a couple in the memory boxes.

Invisimamma · 09/09/2022 19:46

Thomas take and play? Not sure if it still exists but my DS had a little set as a toddler. It was a train track that folded up into a case with all the little trains and pieces inside. My ds is 11 now so this was about 8-9 years ago.

babysharksb1tch · 09/09/2022 19:53

Have you tried stickabouts? Reusable stickers my son loves them.

Original poster
Caspianberg · 09/09/2022 20:20

Making lists of all these ideas. Excellent

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iwishiwasafish · 09/09/2022 20:35

Mighty Max play sets from eBay. My kids absolutely adored them for years. Hours and hours of play.

Original poster
Caspianberg · 09/09/2022 21:02

I see they have old Aladdin ones on eBay, for £200+! Gulp

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Newuser82 · 09/09/2022 21:32

May have already been mentioned but if not have you seen those things (I think they are called busy books). They come in different little sets. My boys have had the paw patrol and the fireman Sam ones previously. They come with a playmat and the little figures in a little metal tin. May be slightly larger set than you were after but the figures are fairly small, at least half the size of a playmobil figure.

Newuser82 · 09/09/2022 21:34

Just checked and they are called my busy book.

KaroH · 09/09/2022 21:44

I've just seen this. It looks a bit bigger than a Polly pocket though but rubbish with estimating sizes.

www.bargainmax.co.uk/pj-masks-fold-n-go-hq.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyOuYBhCGARIsAIdGQRNlQhaxvbV3T9S2yQ5eWAuyexSQ5EmTqwlluNRP55OSC-yT2vlXrpMaAox2EALw_wcB

Offtobednow · 09/09/2022 22:06

I found these style of books quite useful for my daughter at this age. The felt stickers are easy to use and totally reusable: www.waterstones.com/book/play-felt-farm-animals-activity-book/erin-ranson/barry-green/9781787005235

Original poster
Caspianberg · 10/09/2022 07:14

Those Disney store mini play sets look ideal. I will try and get a couple bought over by family in the next few months as they don’t deliver here unfortunately.

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scrivette · 10/09/2022 07:18

Definitely the Busy Books, you can take the characters out in a little bag or purse with you if you don't want to take the whole book.

You can get train sets in a tin (eBay might be good for that).