Playing and Learning

[BigChill]

What types of toys and activities do you have to help your toddler discover more things? Playskool lists out the different playskills and toys and activities to help at each stage on their website. I like the idea of playing tying into learning for the little ones.

[Ashlee]

We are big on 'constructive' type toys in our home. Lego's, block's, train/car tracks they can put together, puzzles, crafts, ect. We don't have many fancy toys with noise, music and gadgets. I know there are some that are educational like leap frog but I don't like how some of them do all the imagining for the child, ykwim? I like my kids to use their creativity when they play.. it help's them learn so much more then just their letters and sounds, yk?

ETA :Ok, just looked at their website.. they do have some neat toys that seem good for buliding skills. Maybe I should have looked at their site before replying!

[4HisGlory]

we have the leapfrog fridge magnets (ABC's and animal/color matching) but I also like to just let my kid have toys that make them use their imagination.

[BigChill]

Imagination is definitly key. If you guys didn't already know Playskool is offering $75 worth of play savings on some of their most popular toys. You can sign up for the savings on their website - great for picking up those xmas gifts.

[Crissyanna]

I'm big into the more simple toys. We have an awesome set of wooden blocks that aren't painted or whatever (made from a 2x4, much cheaper than buying them. I got a toy catalog the other day and the same thing was going for over a 100 dollars!). The girls love playing with them. With help (only 3 and 20 months) we have had roads, zoos, castles. And one day we had to build and rebuild the temple that Samson knocked down (we used the collection of Little People my MIL keeps getting us). We do have the leap frog fridge magnets, but they keep finding their way off the fridge (also had the v-tech food alphabet one. Still have the foods, but they migrated into the girls' play kitchen and the fridge thing you put them in got an electrical short in it and would start playing at 3 am. That got pitched). I also got the trace and learn letter thing from leap frog. The eldest loves it. we have a play kitchen and all the accessories (again, another gift from grandma). We also have a TON of books, play dough, crayons, markers, glue, paper and stuff. The girls love playing with their dolls and doing what mommy does. I like the simple toys that don't make noise, light up and stuff. Oh, we also have the parents brand bee bop band. I love it. I want to get the tug boat for the tub with all the bath stuff. Maybe someday.