Presents suitable for a 3yo and a 1yo to SHARE

[Sylvie1980]

My DCs have birthdays that are days from each other. They will get a gazillion presents (large families) which I'm a bit anti to be honest and I've been trying to get families to cut down but I know they won't. SO, I therefore want to get something for them from me & DH which is specifically designed for them to share. Possibly two things, so they both have something for them to unwrap, but I am very very keen that they learn that presents aren't always things that they then have unrivalled access to (some of you won't agree - sorry!).

Please does anyone have any tips / suggestions? We don't have space for a kitchen etc that sort of thing. I've thought about doll's house but would have to put it in one of their bedrooms which would sort of negate the point.

They are DD and DS btw.

Peppa Pig DVDs, see-saw, sand and water table from mothercare.

A play house for the garden?
A teepee (we have one indoors, DD loves it and has done from day one).
A little table & chairs to sit at and draw.
Double-sided painting easel
Tea set

Have you and outside space for outdoor toys?

Art table or easel plus a big pack of paper and some crayons, paints etc?

Something for the garden (for if it ever stops raining)?

Some musical instruments - rain maker / drum / maracas etc?

Table and chairs
Wooden building blocks
First brio train (from 18 months but my 1 year old loved it)
Play dough

I have just got a wooden garage from ELC for my nephews as a joint christmas present (they will be 18 months and 4 by then)

Mine are two years apart and both love the sandpit. Ditto the water table.

POP up tents and tunnels, my dcs played with those for years and years together.

Orchard toys do good jigsaws and easy games which are perfect for really young kids. My two have always loved playing together with their kitchen and tea set.

wheeley bug

playmobil 1-2-3

Bath toys are always good!
Pop up ball pitt/mini paddling pool and balls.

A see saw is cool, a friend of mine has one of these - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000PVKIR4/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1 - my 18 month and nearly 4 year old play on it well, although if your youngest is only just 1 that would be a bit young (but equally too young to think it's unfair :))

Oh yes ball pit, we have a cheapo pop up one from Argos that they both love, but you have to be prepared for the balls to be tipped across the room on a very regular basis :)

Absolutely second Brio train set. They can be added to at birthdays and Christmas and are indestructable. Outdoor swing is always good but yours are maybe a little bit young for one.

Although there will be lots of toys they can both play with like small world type stuff, drawing, etc, I would steer clear of anything they can be possessive over as it's just asking for trouble. The 1yo will just grab stuff and do as she wants with it and the 3yo will get frustrated that she can't understand the rules she's set up for the game, this probably won't get any better until the youngest is nearer 3, so they'll end up playing with the same toy at separate times. Which might be fine.

However, I think the suggestions of toys which physically need two to play (see-saw, ball) or that they can both play on together regardless of ability (slide, tunnel, play house) are great because they're great for practising turn taking and co-operation which is a foundation for playing together later, and building that relationship up between them so that they want to play together. It's all very well wanting to teach them to share but if you're trying to show them a concept they're not physically able to understand (both playing with the same toy at the same time) it's likely to end in frustration rather than harmony.

Apologies, I do know how to do links!

seesaw

ball pit

Water/sand table for the garden
Wooden train set
Duplo bricks

Cosy coupe

Wow - so many responses so quickly, thankyou!! (And keep them coming!). Yes BertieBotts - I'm deffo keen for things that basically are BEST if they share (although things that one can't wander off with, like sand table/water table, also great). Great ideas here. We do have a garden but it's mini, and no storage.

Thanks so much!!

i agree with water table, my 4yr old and 19mth old both love theirs! ditto sand pit/table

wooden train track and duplo both great!

pop up house or tunnel and we have a big cardboard rocket that ds4 got for xmas that they little two both love, they do a variety of different things, houses, caslte, rocket, igloo shapes and they can fold down you can decorate them as well!

what about one of those kiddies bubble machines. my ds 1.6 has great fun with it trying to pop the bubbles as does my niece who is 3.6.

do people get much use out of a see saw? As a PP said, younger one will have to grow into it (that's fine by me!) but older one hasn't ever spent too mcuh time on see-saws so just wondering...

AnythIng - although I get present with the 2 on mind - they just get random presents for Christmas - they just pick one from pile (I'm careful with clothes).

Mine (2 and 4) have a fabulous wooden kitchen with microwave dishwasher washing machine food cooker - they love it and spend hours Playong together (I've had to get 2 kettles.

I'm picturing that ubiquitous red plastic one, I can't remember who make it now, maybe fisher price?