When we buy toys for our kids, we started out looking for the least annoying ones.  Unfortunately, unless your kid is going to be content with only stuffed animals, this is an impossible task.  Next, we decided to look for educational things.  That was much easier.

These are all toys that we play with on a regular basis except for the Alphabet Train that our friend introduced us to.  That one we’re probably going to get for Christmas because it’s just such a great toy!

VTech Sit-To-Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train

Recommended age:  1-3

My son was actually playing with this toy at our friend’s house while I was in labor with baby #2.  I love toys that serve multiple purposes because they keep little ones’ attention much longer.  This train can be pushed around, pulled around, and kids can even ride on the back with an attentive adult conductor.

It’s a great toy for kids going through that crazy-fast 1-3 year old time frame when they change so quickly.  This toy can change with them which makes it great for families with multiple little ones at young ages.

VTech Smart Shots Sports Center

Recommended age:  1-3

We LOVE this toy!  My husband and I bought this and kept it hidden until we brought baby #2 home for the first time.  We told our son that this was his gift from mommy and daddy for being so patient waiting for his little brother.  This is set up in the playroom and our 22-month old plays with it literally every day.

VTech Sort and Discover Activity Cube

Recommended age:  9 months – 3 years

This was the toy our baby bought for our toddler when he came home for the first time.  Can you tell my mommy guilt was at an all time high when I was pregnant with baby #2?  I decided I’d just try to buy my son’s approval haha.

This toy was a great choice because it’s one of those ones with so much going on that it’s tough to get bored.  I actually throw this in the car and take it with us on our many road trips because it’s nice and compact and keeps our toddler busy for hours.

Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Poppity-Pop Musical Dino

Recommended age:  6 months to 36 months

Oh my goodness we freaking love this thing!  A great friend got this for our son last year for Christmas just before he turned one.  You put balls in the back and they bounce around and eventually roll out of the dinosaur’s mouth.  It’s so intriguing for little ones and they can practice putting the balls into the back of the toy and rolling the little rattle on the side.

Our son would try to put the balls back through the dino’s mouth and quickly figured out it doesn’t work that way.  I loved watching him be so mesmerized by this thing.  Miraculously, we still know where all of the balls are!

The only downside is it makes me hungry for Benihana every time my son plays with it.  Have you ever been there for Hibatchi on your birthday?  If so, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Baby Einstein Play Gym, Nautical Friends

We got this for our baby shower and both of our babies so far have loved it.  We registered for it just because it’s ocean-themed and our life is basically ocean-themed.  Now I love it because there are so many great toys that come with it that my pre-mommy self couldn’t appreciate.

There’s a little unbreakable mirror that intrigues your tiniest people, a dangling turtle that lights up and plays music, a big stuffed fish, and other toys to bat at and grab.  I used this a lot for our first son, but I use it even more now with our second.  When I’m playing with our toddler in our playroom, I put the baby on this mat and he just goes to town hitting at the toys and trying to pull things into his mouth.

Leapfrog Tag Jr

Okay, mom to mom…this thing is kind of a pain in the butt, but we love it anyway.  When our first son was even younger than he is now, all of his little playmates were really interested in books, and ours couldn’t care less about having us read to him.  This little toy was intriguing enough to get him interested in his books and now we play with books all day, every day.

I say it’s a pain just because you have to upload the books to the little toy which involves plugging it into the computer, picking the books, and then it only holds two.  You’re probably thinking I’m the laziest SOB on the planet, but this isn’t an easy task when you’re home alone with 2 kids.

A little bit of a pain, but still worth it in my opinion.

LeapFrog My Talking LapPup (Scout)

Recommended age:  6 months to 24 months

Our little one loves this laptop.  When I need to blog and don’t have my hubby home to watch the kids, I’ll give this toy to our toddler and ask him to help me blog.  He gets really into it and we have a good time working together.

I think this is especially great if you’re a work at home mom or a blogger.  Getting your little ones involved really ups their confidence and makes them feel like they’re helping and a part of what you’re doing.

 

What toys are you buying for your baby or toddler this year?  Do you have any educational toys that you’d add to this list?  Let me know in the comments!