Best toddler products - the “nice to have” gadgets, toys & favourite books

[Lovelostnfoundx]

So I have Christmas and my birthday coming up quite close together and my family are asking for a list of things for baby for Christmas and for my birthday/Christmas. I don’t really want anything so I’ll ask for things for him instead as I have what I need.

Can you help me by telling me the best products you bought for your babies and toddlers? Baby will be 6 months by Christmas. What products or gadgets made your life easier? Any standout toys that stood the test of time or surpassed the expected boredom threshold? Any favourite books? Anything that really helped their development?

I’m really thinking about the “nice to haves” as I think we have covered the essentials for him. Unless there’s a real standout product that was life changing! Any recommendations greatly appreciated!

A bath kneeler for you when you’re bathing your baby. We have one from Skip Hop.
BT audio baby monitor or if you already have a good monitor, Moredig baby light projector and Ewan the Dream Sheep
Personalised baby’s first Christmas tree decoration
Hand blender for weaning
Halford’s backseat organiser
Apramo Flippa dining boosted
Tuff tray
Car seat travel tray
Gro Anywhere blind

Books wise, anything by Julia Donaldson is a winner.
Bamboo weaning plate with suction. Mine lasted ages and dd couldn't chuck it
Toys that last a few years such as a play kitchen or a trike

Hmm 6 months so weaning stuff might be good - some quality bibs and second the bamboo bamboo suction plates and bowls. You don’t need a blender if you’re doing baby led weaning so depends on that. If you do get one, it doesn’t need to be a baby specific one - those are just a rip off!

DS loved those tomy eggs at that age, and a treasure basket I made from household stuff, though you get fancy things for it from scandiborn etc.

Looking a bit further ahead, maybe a lovely push walker like this one: www.littlebirdtoldme.co.uk/shop/dogs-puppies-toys/dexter-dog-push-along

Or some grimms toys - the grimms rainbow is a bit of an investment piece and my son didn’t really like it until he started doing small world/imaginative play at around 2. We got it for his first Christmas but it looked lovely in his room until he started playing with it.

Play kitchen or shop is great but won’t be used until older so depends if you have the storage space.