https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:38:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597572 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:08:27 +0000 autumnlove 2597572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easel, building blocks, magnetic tiles, activity books. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597560 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:01:14 +0000 caterw 2597560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: My daughter is also 2.5 and we have a Calico Critter house already... I opened it for her and took all of the really small pieces and hid them in my room so she only has the animals and the furniture. She looooooves it.</p> <p>On the other hand- what you already have sounds awesome!!! You could also have DH make homemade play dough with her, or bake cookie dough/ bread dough that has been premade. I usually make triple batches of sugar cookies and freeze it in lumps so I can make it with DD if I run out of stuff to do. Yeast bread dough also freezes well and DD loves to knead bread. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597556 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 08:55:15 +0000 Alba4 2597556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reusable stickers, mini trampoline, matchbox cars, play dough, sandbox, soccer balls, tball set </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597450 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 00:33:33 +0000 PurplePeony 2597450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: we live in Seattle, so indoor toys will get lots of use in a couple months, even if they go outside a lot during the next few weeks. I was thinking of using this as an opportunity to stock up in general -- since we're saving $1500 on daycare costs for the month, it's worth it to spend a fraction of that on stuff she'll (hopefully) use for awhile! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597444 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 23:46:12 +0000 LemonJack 2597444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is two as well, and outside her favorite toys are her sand box, water table, and sidewalk chalk.</p> <p>Inside, the biggest hits for DD are her books, blocks &amp; duplos, toy cars, play kitchen, and slide.</p> <p>I wouldn't necessarily buy too much more inside toys if I were you, but I think the outside ones are well worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597355 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 18:44:28 +0000 MrsSRS 2597355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A dollhouse? A giant cardboard box! I agree that changing the location of toys in the house makes a huge difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597329 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 18:15:25 +0000 PurplePeony 2597329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: @Mrsbells: an easel is a great idea, thanks! I'll check these out.</p> <p>@gingerbebe: I'll definitely make some new play-dough, I just tossed the last batch because it had been around too long and haven't replaced it yet. Maybe I'll leave it uncolored so she and DH can choose the colors.</p> <p>@Cole: I think she'd like a balance beam! It looks like IKEA has one, or maybe her grandpa can build her one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597297 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 17:15:36 +0000 Mrsbells 2597297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: the double sides crayola easel is great. theres so much to do with it. Theres a white board with magnetic numbers, and a chalkboard side. and its technically not a toy but they see it as a toy </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597294 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 17:13:54 +0000 gingerbebe 2597294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has been into the Color Wonder markers and requisite coloring books, we made some homemade play dough that I give him in his high chair with some cookie cutters, he's been working on some puzzles and Melissa and Doug skills boards, and he's discovered sidewalk chalk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597269 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 16:13:07 +0000 daniellemybelle 2597269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they are able, I would say they should get out of the house with her as much as they can! Storytime, the park, children's museum, etc.! I am a SAHM and honestly some days our playroom is virtually untouched because we just stay busy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597205 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:54:06 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2597205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think what you already have is great! My DD really likes blocks and her water table and sandbox. We have a minimalist approach as well and I wouldn't buy too much more than what you already own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597202 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:51:39 +0000 jhd 2597202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You already have lots of good ideas here. I will add puzzles to your list. We have quite a few by Melissa and Doug. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597197 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:44:43 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 2597197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2.5 year old loves trampolines, those roller coaster scooter things, her babies and all the accessories (high chair, stroller, bottles, etc), go-go animal sets, little people, magna tiles, books, play doh.... I want to get her a lean-to-turn scooter for Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597123 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 13:08:01 +0000 LuLu Mom 2597123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about the IKEA easel that has chalk/white board. we use this for art projects and it's a hit. We can tape up paper to paint (finger/regular), ect. </p> <p>We also have a big roll of paper from IKEA and we cover our sliding glass door with it and let DD go to town - paint/stickers/crayons/ect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597119 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:59:40 +0000 Cole 2597119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a trampoline or balance beam? The balance beam could be made pretty easily too. </p> <p>I've found that even with a minimal amount of toys you can extend your mileage by rearranging everything. Maybe a week after her new care arrangement starts you can move everything around. </p> <p>You could also try searching Pinterest or Google for invitations to play or strewing. The idea being that you set up something for them so it's ready to play with when they see it. An example would be setting up a teddy bear picnic or laying out all the supplies for an art project. You might find same good ideas using stuff you already have in a new way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597108 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:42:03 +0000 psw27 2597108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is only 2 but he is currently really obsessed with the little people farm and airplane. He plays with them so much at daycare that I finally got him the barn for home for his birthday. He is also super into Legos right now, he loves building and they don't take up much space to store! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597106 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:39:28 +0000 PurplePeony 2597106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: I forgot about Duplos, we do have a bunch of those! I was thinking of getting her a Calico Critters dollhouse for her birthday, but it's not until December...but I could test the waters with a couple of the figurines to see if she's into them first.</p> <p>@jape14: yes, she loves her doll stroller. We've got tons of bubbles, but I have been wanting a battery-powered bubble blower so I don't have to make myself light-headed so I should probably just get one now! A tee-ball set is a good idea, she has seemed interested in bats and balls when we've gone to friends' houses but we don't have one at home. And our soccer ball got stolen at the park, so I should probably pick up a new one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597102 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:36:18 +0000 ustechie 2597102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A water table is an outdoor must! 😀 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597100 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:26:07 +0000 jape14 2597100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost-2-year-old is currently obsessed with the Melissa &amp; Doug reusable sticker books and Water Wow. </p> <p>For outdoors, what about a tee-ball set or just some balls (soccer, bouncy kickball, etc.)? And bubbles!</p> <p>Does your DD have a cheapo stroller for her dolls? We got a hand-me-down from a friend and it has been a big hit to stroll around the house with Elmo or push it around the neighborhood. You could probably get one for free from a friend or neighbor, or find one for $5 on craigslist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597097 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:22:26 +0000 catlady 2597097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely get some building sets! We have duplos, magnatiles, and some wooden blocks of various shapes. My almost 3 year old loves building things.</p> <p>Another idea is a dollhouse with people and furniture? Admittedly we don't have one yet but this is what she will be getting for her birthday this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597083 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:11:40 +0000 Jadj13 2597083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With back to school sales, now is the time to stock up on art supplies!</p> <p>Things my son really likes (he's almost 2.5):<br /> OUTDOORS: draw with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, sandbox, kiddie pool, kicking his soccer ball.<br /> INDOORS: puzzles, playdough, reusable sticker books (melissa &amp; doug ones), art projects (drawing, painting), we also do some letter/number activities - I found easy pages on Pinterest for preschoolers, print them out of he enjoys those.</p> <p>Trips to the library, park, nature centers, zoo are all top activities here.</p> <p>I like the idea of the tumbling mat, earlier this summer when we had a few days of rain, I set up a "obstacle" course in our play room with pillows and pool noodles and chairs. He had a blast navigating that for a long time! The giggles were worth it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-and-activities-for-25-year-old#post-2597075 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:53:23 +0000 PurplePeony 2597075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD will be between daycares for a few weeks (old one closes Friday and new one doesn't start until 9/1), so she'll be home all day with DH or Grandma and Grandpa. We have had a fairly minimalist approach to toys so far, but I'm guessing we'll need to get a few new things for her to play with for all their sakes. Things we have:<br /> Play kitchen and various foods<br /> Train tracks and wooden trains<br /> Art supplies (but they need to be restocked)<br /> Stuffed animals and baby dolls<br /> Puzzles<br /> Outdoor playhouse with attached swing<br /> Balance bike and tricycle </p> <p>I was thinking of getting her a tumbling mat, we saw one at her friend's house the other day and it seemed like a good thing to have.</p> <p>But, aside from that, I'm kind of stumped. I asked her what kind of toys she wants and she never really had an answer... I don't want to spend a lot of money on toys she'll outgrow in a couple months, but I feel like she's kind of in between "little kid" toys and "3+" toys. I'm looking for a few things for indoors and a few for outdoors. Any ideas?? </p> <p>Also, any ideas for things to do? I'm sure they'll go to the playground a lot, and to the zoo and children's museum, but I'm trying to think of smaller activities and projects they can do at home (DD loves to bake, so if I was home with her we would do that as one activity, but DH is hopeless in the kitchen so it's not a good option for him). And he's very against screen time...for now at least, haha.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>