Best Toy for Special Needs Baby

[merlot]

Hi guys - can I pick your brains please? I'm having problems choosing Christmas Presents for my ds2 who is 14 months and developmentally about 9 months. The problem is that we have a lot of the normal baby toys (stacking cups, sorters, balls galore, posting things) but that is the stage ds2 is at developmentally. Relatives are looking at buying involved `pretend play' items (eg. large bus with loads of characters on board). My problem is that ds2 is showing absolutely no inclination towards pretend play and I am loathed to clog up the house with lots of inappropriate toys.

Are there any real `winners' out there in the special needs baby toy category. Also am I wrong in not buying these pretend play items (so difficult - my friend looked at me as if I was the worst mother when I wouldnt spend £50 on an intricate toy suitable for an 18month plus.. I just am afraid that he will never reach that stage and I have got all these visual reminder toys around me... if you know what I mean....so sorry to ramble..)

Thanks Dingle - I'm going to be spoilt for choice, perhaps I should now start a thread `What to buy a nt 7 year old for Xmas', before ds1 feels left out!

See here for the hammer bench the phone looks good too, dd also has loved a phone!

There was another really simple little toy from Toys'r'us, Bruin make I believe, came with 3 little balls that you dropped into a hole in the top, the hit a sensor and played some really catchy little tunes! how sad am I!!We had it from portage for a while and ds used to take it whenever dd's back was turned.

Dingle - seen that one! (my hand hovered the other day and then realised I didn't have time to buy it before school pick up), will definitely return for it now!

Merlot,

I think I still have mine, the elc hitting thing, would happily send it for the P&P. Cat me if you want!

Was this put n take the one merlot?

Yes - that's it! . You recommend it then?

That loooks well cool. Just got DD the 'popping piano' on the same website page and she loves that. Really easy for her to make it work and she finds it really exciting.

I wouldn't say that it is "very educational" but both ds and dd love it for the short while we had it from the portage library. You just post the balls through the top and a they land the trigger a tune. From what I remember it was quite a catchy little, not too irritating tune!it wasn't too long before dd had posted the balls else where, couldn't find them so she used to just put her hand through the hole & press the button herself.
A simple but fun little toy.