https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:11:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778633 Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:17:29 +0000 erinbaderin 2778633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you'd be fine with the balance bike - my son got one for Christmas when he was almost 2 and he loved it, I wouldn't delay that one especially if the family is into biking. I would skip the marble tower and the Magformers, I think they're tricky for little hands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778485 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 20:50:49 +0000 DesertDreams88 2778485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In regards to the marbles in the mouth.... there would be a 8 month period most likely between Christmas and my coming LO's crawling stage. But I definitely get the concern. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778478 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 19:57:25 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2778478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I have noticed in almost every thread about balance bikes how different kids are! My kid got a scooter and a balance bike for his 2nd birthday (I really couldn't decide which one, the bike was from my cousin). He at almost 3 is just now sort of into the scooter but he's been racing around on the bike since well before 2.5 and was into it immediately! I guess that's to say, if you really want to get him one, it won't be too late if you wait a little bit, but if you are excited about it as a gift maybe just go for it! But who knows he might not even ever like it like some of the kids reflected in the threads I've read! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778477 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 19:34:58 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2778477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the no to marbles! My son would probably like it but my daughter is 1 and puts everything in her mouth. </p> <p>My son got a balance bike for Christmas when he was 21 months. Just now at 3.5 he sometimes wants to use it, but for like 3 seconds. I would skip the balance bike and do a tryke or just a regular bike when he's older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778475 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 19:14:25 +0000 DesertDreams88 2778475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: thanks for the ideas!</p> <p>-------------------</p> <p>Sounds it seems like a resounding NO on the marble tower set, haha! :) I will save that until much later or give it as a bday present if we are invited to older children's bday parties. We also will delay the balance bike idea.... DH &amp; BIL are avid bikers, though, so it is already getting talked about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778440 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:54:33 +0000 peaches1038 2778440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great question! I'm in the same boat. DS is turning two next month and then Christmas. We decided to get him a train table and a few books for his bday and my parents are getting him the actual train set as well as a very nice rain coat. Not sure about the rest of the fam. For Christmas, we got him a toddler pillow and new duvet insert and cover. We will also get him a Melissa and doug wooden truck as well as stocking stuffers and an ornament. We are traveling across the country for the holidays, so we are paring down the gifts. Not sure what everyone else is getting. My other ideas are: Melissa and Doug 12 piece puzzles, duplos, bead stringing kit, doctors kit and play tool set. I'm saving the strider bike for Easter. He already has a baby doll, which he loves and magformers, also a hit. Oh and his favorite bath toys are stacking cups with holes in the bottom and these guys that have no way for water to get in. </p> <p><a href="https://m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/stack-count-cups-8-pack/1015002239?skuId=15002239&#038;mcid=PS_googlepla&#038;gclid=Cj0KCQjwvOzOBRDGARIsAICjxod6FhYTHWPlzmTuTOD0gQ-8qRwDlE_Rq8F2Tje2e9TALrpPiL0mKJ0aAidiEALw_wcB" rel="nofollow">https://m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/stack-count-cups-8-pack/1015002239?skuId=15002239&#038;mcid=PS_googlepla&#038;gclid=Cj0KCQjwvOzOBRDGARIsAICjxod6FhYTHWPlzmTuTOD0gQ-8qRwDlE_Rq8F2Tje2e9TALrpPiL0mKJ0aAidiEALw_wcB</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-bath-bobbers-2pk/-/A-51041621#lnk=sametab" rel="nofollow">https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-bath-bobbers-2pk/-/A-51041621#lnk=sametab</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778436 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:43:59 +0000 birdofafeather 2778436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Marbles sound like a disaster at that age! My older one loved the magnatiles though but got into them more by 3. I would go scooter over balance bike. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778434 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:32:58 +0000 kiddosc 2778434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with delaying the marble tower and balance bike. I would bring out the bike at three and the marble tower probably not until 4 or 5 actually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778433 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:25:10 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2778433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for the marble tower set. DD is 5 and I still don't feel comfortable having one of those. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778429 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:52:04 +0000 jhd 2778429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would hold off on the marble tower, magformers, and balance bike based on my own almost 3.5 year old. He’s played with trains much more than his bike at this age, but that’s probably my specific kid! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778428 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:49:42 +0000 josina 2778428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I would delay the Marble Tower Set, or return it, all those pieces and little marbles with a baby coming would be not fun for mom. ;)<br /> The other things seem like mostly smaller gift ideas, and I will usually give as many 'ideas' like that as I can so relatives still have a choice in what they give.<br /> I love the idea of you guys giving the 'big' gift and leaving the smaller gifts to everyone else - so the piano - since that would be more likely to be kept for a long time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-appropriate-gifts-for-2-vs-25-vs-3#post-2778420 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:22:55 +0000 DesertDreams88 2778420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to really get ahead on Christmas and I was thinking of our list vs. our "wish list" to give the grandparents. The lists were getting too big and I am wanting to delay at least one of these presents until age 2.5 and another until age 3. So which ones on the this would you push off?<br /> LO will be 23m this Christmas and have his 2nd bday a month after. </p> <p>We have already purchased, but could save:<br /> - A wooden train set w/ train tracks<br /> - MagFormers set<br /> - Marble Tower set<br /> - Books<br /> - “Baby doll” set + accessories (to prep for baby sister and learn gentle hands)<br /> - Potty Training supplies </p> <p>Ideas for grandparents / aunts/ uncles<br /> - Size 8 sneakers or sandals<br /> - Size 9 sandals<br /> - Bath toys that DON’T trap water / grow mold<br /> - Toddler crayons (the bigger/thick ones)<br /> - Construction papers &amp; toddler scissors<br /> - Balance Bike (big purchase)<br /> - Kid’s piano (the more realistic, the better) (big purchase) (highly, highly desired, he LOVES any you or real pianos we encounter) </p>