Small, inexpensive toys for toddler?

[Kismett]

My brother, SIL, and niece will be visiting us for a week and I'd like to have a few toys or activities here for my niece. She will be about 19 months but I don't have any children so am not sure what would be appropriate. Would prefer not to spend more than £30 total.

I saw an Aquadoodle mat at Argos, would something like that work?

I don't mind buying a few things if they are small, as we are expecting our first child and could save a few toys for later if needed. We don't have loads of space to spare though! I've also seen lots of ideas for activities on Pinterest but not sure which actually work in reality.

Have a look at the Argos website, they do quite a lot of toys on 2 for £15 and include things like wooden bricks (a classic favourite) and cars and such like

Also supermarkets that do their own brand can be brilliant, Asda have “kid connection” and you can get a lot for your money and the quality isn’t bad all things considered!

Early learning centre often do 3 for 2, could easily get a few entertaining not to big toys for £30.
Some balloons are fun for all ages. Something with buttons and twisty things is good. A blanket (tea towel or pillowcase) to play peek a boo. "That's not my....." books are really good and not expensive.

DD got an aqua doodle for her 1st birthday, it is still in almost daily use now she's 2.5 so I'd say that is a good bet. They take a while to dry out though so maybe get one other small thing for while DC is waiting. Maybe some vehicle type things too?

If you can get to a home bargains or similar type store, then they often have a lot of toys at very reasonable prices. We got DD a frozen aquadoodle set for 4 pounds for Christmas. I always buy my nephew and nieces bits from there

Blocks or tubs for stacking up and knocking over can get them in Tesco baby aisle for under £5

plastic fruit would be good, you could dig out some kitchen things to add to it rather than buy play pots and utensils.

a little tea set?

Wooden bricks and a few animals. A bit of play food and play crockery.

Thanks, already so many good ideas! I hadn't thought about the aquadoodle needing to dry so that's good to know.

Argos has one of those pull along crocodile toys that is also a xylophone, would something like that be good now that she is walking?

You could try charity shops - my parents have got some decent toys from charity shops for when we visit with our toddler.

Balloons and bubbles are always popular with that age group. My DS loved them at 19m (still does). They're cheap, don't take up much space and will get used up.

You could also try Argos as a PP suggested as they have good deals.

If you have limited space I would suggest that you don't get things with a view to storing them for your future child(ren), just because there's so much stuff you will need before they get to 19m, you will need the storage space for that first.

For that budget I’d get aqua doodle, some playdoh, tomy squeaky eggs, stacking blocks, couple of toy cars, a ball, a plastic musical instrument and a doll. You should get all that for £30 if you go to cheap shops.

Stacking cups are a good shout, got a cheap set from Sainsburys I think and they were a bit hit.

Don't forget the parents will bring toys with them!!

@NameChange30 yes, I don't want to get anything that we feel we absolutely have to hold onto for that reason. I think we'd be okay to store a few small toys but didn't want to get some large playsets or anything.

We don't mind spending on her, it's more that they live overseas so she wouldn't be back often to play with these things.

They'll be bringing toys but because there is a lot of air travel involved, I know their space will be limited as well.

playdoh would be good, you could make your own and look at home for tools.

"For that budget I’d get aqua doodle, some playdoh, tomy squeaky eggs, stacking blocks, couple of toy cars, a ball, a plastic musical instrument and a doll."

Sorry but I think that's too much, where's the OP going to store it all?

Toddlers don't need that many toys, especially if they're in a new environment, they will enjoy exploring it and playing with everyday things - and most importantly lots of play and attention from extended family.

When we see my parents and siblings DS just loves playing simple games with his grandparents, aunt and uncles. And making them read books to him!

Definitely look in charity shops. We have loads of lovely wooden pull along toys and block sets for £1/£2

Yes to charity shops. That way you don't spend a fortune if she doesn't play with something you have chosen. My kids never pulled those pull along crocodiles - they much prefered things that you could push rather than pull.

Yy to stacking cups - and a soft/spongy ball which you can roll at the tower to knock it down.

Yy to balloons - 50p a bag and hours of fun. Get some bubbles too, if you don't mind them in your house.

A washing up bowl with a bit of water and bubble bath in and a couple of bath toys or plastic pots in is great for water play - perhaps find an old towel or plastic table cloth to do underneath it but you only need an inch of water.

And yy to books - anything with flaps to lift - and a few plastic animals.

All v achievable for £30

I have a 16/7 month old. Charity shops and school fair sales will give you the most bang for your buck, but I second/third the balloon and bubble idea - literally the most popular things here. Then Tomy eggs, Duplo car, Oh Dear/Dear Zoo book.

I have a daughter this age. She loves aqua doodle and plays with a normal colouring book and chunky crayons every day

Oh and congratulations on your pregnancy!

And actually Tupperware is very popular here (just random old containers and spatulas) - so you can save some of that £30 and just get a Chinese .

Stacking cups, small folding pushchair (think you can get them for about £5) a dolly or teddy to sit in it, Tesco (and probably Asda too) do their own version brio - fab stuff, will last for ever, play doh, a tea set, chunky crayons and a roll of lining paper.
They’ll probably bring some bits with them too.

@Notverygrownup thank you! Can you tell I have no experience with babies?

I had thought of playdoh but wasn’t sure it was age appropriate. Sounds like it is!

Right now I’m thinking things like stacking cups/blocks, chunky crayons and paper, balloons, a soft ball, these all sound very easy.

Might get a few “bigger” items like aquadoodle or playdoh as well.

Her parents are quite well off so they never have anything used and I’m not sure how keen they’d be on that, otherwise I’d be straight to the charity shop. We will definitely be frequenting it for our own child.

Am also realizing how messy our house is going to get once we have our own! Might need to enjoy these last few months of cleanliness.