For any parent searching for toys for younger kids it can be hard, they aren't really old enough to know what they want and there are so many toy options out there to choose from. As a parent of a toddler and a preschooler and what feels like mountains of toys, really only a few stick out as what I would consider a great toy or would recommend to anyone and these are at the very top of my list. My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet by Leapfrog are toys WE love at our house, meaning kids and parents.
I first ran across this dog when I was searching for something to help my four year old sleep in his own bed at night. After reading and researching I thought he was probably too old for the toy and maybe it was simply a baby toy and so I ended up buying one for my three year old because she loves anything cuddly and it looked really cool. It was an instant hit with her, she loves it and can't sleep at night without it. It is really neat toy, you hook it up to your computer to personalize it with your child's name, favorite foods, and animal and if your not computer savy don't let that scare you away because it was quick and easy. My daughters face lights up each time Violet sings songs with her name in it. It is a great price at around $20.00 it isn't too fancy, but just enough which is one of the things I love about it. My four year old also fell in love with it and now his his own and they both love to sleep with them. I also just ordered one for my nephew who is only a few weeks old but, this is really a toy that will last from baby through to preschooler, not many toys out there that can do that. This would be a great gift for a baby, toddler, to preschooler who needs a cuddly friend.
One quick gift giving tip for this toy, if your going to give this as a present open it and hook it up to your computer to get it personalized for the child before wrapping it up. I know technically this goes against some gift giving rule out there, but trust me it's a rule worth breaking in this case and the parents will probably thank you with one less toy to maneuver out of a package. The parents can always go back and modify or change the settings later but, when this gift is unwrapped and it is ready to go the child will be delighted when the puppy says it's name just like magic!
These humidifiers seriously are not only adorable but work great, they also come in so many different options I have seen a duck, frog, pig, and tiger to name a few. At our house we have an elephant, dragon, Hello Kitty, and a basketball and during cold and flu season they are usually all running. My younger kids who are now toddlers love these, and we set them up right next to their bed when they are sick. They are super quiet and mine are all about three years old now and so far so good. They are a good price around $35.00 and a humidifier is something every mom uses because kiddo's get sick and every household can use more than one. Sure to be a big hit at at any baby shower, practical and cute!
Again my number two pick is not only cute but practical as well. These come in three colors the neutral beige color, pink, and blue. (I had the one above for my daughter and it was the perfect color in her crib and a blue one for my son) These are just too cool, they have motion sensors in them so when baby rolls over, moves, cries the sensor picks it up and the heartbeat/womb sounds start....and it works! My middle child was the worst sleeper ever doctors kept telling me he had colic because he cried nonstop and the only time I could get him to sleep or set him down on his own was next to his slumber bear. It saved my sanity, because there are those times when you actually need to put your baby down for a minute and this worked like a charm for me. Loved them! And again super cute and functional all in one.
So I know this isn't as cutesy as my first two picks, but I LOVED this pack. It is more expensive than most but worth every penny. I used it and used it, it was comfortable and my baby was secure in it (I just couldn't figure out and feel comfortable with the sling thing...) I remember purchasing it and thinking about the cost it was around $100 and after using it I never thought about the cost again. With my older son I had a baby pack that I don't even remember the brand it was cheap and didn't fit me or him, this pack is wonderful for snuggle babies that moms can keep close and free her hands up for a minute. I loved to wear mine to little league games, I had my baby close, my kids would sleep in them and I didn't have to worry about lugging my stroller through the terrain and crowds. A gift any mother would love Babybjorn!
Again, another product that I LOVED! We bought my daughter our first and only girl a beautiful fancy very expensive bassinet which she hated from day one, wouldn't sleep in it for a minute and would literally scream the second you laid her in it and she wouldn't sleep in her crib either (Yes we should have known she was a tiny diva right then and there) Anyway, after a week or so of her literally sleeping on my chest and exhaustion consuming me, I saw this and purchased it at once. We had a pillow top mattress and I was panicked and wouldn't let her lay on it, yes I am a mother of many fears. This was perfect, she could sleep right on the bed between my husband and I, she was happy and would sleep and therefore we were happy. Now, I know we all hear it "My baby isn't going to sleep in our bed." But, for those of you with little diva's this was amazing and thinking back she was so little and tiny it was nice to have her sleeping so close to us. Perfect co sleeper!
This is just so cute, and the music isn't annoying, it has all sorts of different setting for the sounds and music. So when you hear it kick on at night it is soothing music that babies love and doesn't drive the parents nuts. I bought this for my son and another pink princess fisher price soother for my daughter, my kids are now 4 and 3 and still have them in their rooms and listen to them to fall asleep. Fisher price makes a few different versions, and I think they are wonderful by far my favorite crib soother.
Now you may be thinking that this is silly because, one could just use a blanket to cover while nursing BUT this is so much better. Wow, for a breastfeeding modest mom this is a lifesaver because those situations arise where you may be in public and you just have to do it or you may have company over and don't want to be rude and leave the room. Now, don't get me wrong I loved breastfeeding my children and it is natural but, I was also modest and wanted to be covered. This was awesome, it is just the right fit, there is a little strap around your neck so it stays put, it doesn't get it hot like blankets do. It was perfect for me, my baby could actually eat and I wasn't a nervous wreck shifting around crazy in a hot baby blanket trying to make it work. A great gift for the modest mom.
LOVED this, my son tried his hardest to jump the springs off ours! Perfect for active babies. It rotates, it makes cool sounds, it doesn't have "too" much going on, and it is so easy to wash and clean up. I love Fisher Price and this jumperoo was so fun for my little kids.
