Reddit mentions of Tot Tube Playset - Toy Car and Ball Tunnel Ramp Race Track

Ugg, V-Tech is just awful. I would avoid anything by them and most things that require batteries in general. Think not "What can this toy do?" But, "What will my kid be able to do with this?" If a toy can play itself, there is nothing for your kid to do but press a button. Look for more open-ended play items (the most famous open-ended toy is old fashioned Lego bricks). I recommend The Tot Tube. It's deceptively simple but creates an amazing amount of play. It's big enough for all kinds of things and encourages experimentation. Balls, cars, blocks, army guys - all go through it differently and some of it's clear, some opaque so the items disappear and then reappear as they go through. It disassembles into three small tubes (my niece likes to put the tubes on her arms to act like a robot). The items go down differently depending on the height it's held at. It's a toy that lasts and has playability for several ages. If a toddler and five year old can get play out of the same toy then it's a way better investment than a one stage only toy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PFB0JTQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_9mUEwb3NANT4B

If you don't want to spend money on a lasting tube, encourage your kid to play with the cardboard wrapping paper tubes or sometimes new windshield wipers come in fun clear tubes.

These things I did at home for free, minus the cost of the books and toys. Less than a therapist if you can't afford one. Feel free to message me if I can help. To clarify, I am selling NOTHING and have no hidden agenda. I just want to help where i can bc it was a struggle for me at first. Hope it helps.

This is an email I sent to my coworker over a year ago when my son was 18 months old. He is now almost 3.

Hi,

Here is my list.  I hope the links work or I wasted a lot of time.  LOL

Parent Books:

My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child's Language Development

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477693548/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the book I liked the best.  To the point, and gave me things I could actually do.  And oh my God, it helped so much!!! He learned and grew SO much after I implemented what I read in this book. 

It Takes Two To Talk: A Practical Guide For Parents of Children With Language Delays Third Edition

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0921145195/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

kind of long, a lot of detail, but explains types of speech delays and how children learn to speak

The Cow Says Moo: Ten Tips to Teach Toddlers to Talk: An Early Intervention Guide

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1482794403/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This book is alright.  There were some ideas in it that I'll use.  I'd recommend it if you want more ideas/books after the Teach my Toddler to Talk book

Children Books and Flash Cards:

Little Blue Truck Lap Board Book

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/054405685X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is a great book.  There is a lot of action in this book and has a lot of association between animals and sounds.  Very engaging and rhyming.

Bright Baby Animals

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312492480/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

simple words, simple REAL pictures and one picture per page so as to not overwhelm.  Great book to teach first words.

Elmo Says... (Sesame Street) (Big Bird's Favorites Board Books)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375845402/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is an action book, so your child would touch their nose, touch their toes, etc.  relating actions to  words is engaging and also the association helps foster language attrition.

From Head to Toe

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064435962/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

same as the above book. 

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0859537285/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Teaches body parts, has hand movements, rhyming/song  My son loves this book

My First Touch & Feel Picture Cards: Animals (My 1st T&F Picture Cards)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756615151/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Real pictures and has different materials to touch like rough, sticky, etc.  Works well, my son likes this too

My First Touch & Feel Picture Cards: First Words (My 1st T&F Picture Cards)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756615186/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

same as the above, just other words

DVD’s:

Baby Babble Beginning Words

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015NERXBQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, some speech therapists say to have NO screen time.  Well, I put this on when we’re on long trips or if my kids just wants to chill.  There are several different dvd’s in this series.  I have 3.  He said some words he’s never said before after watching these.  I would recommend engaging WITH your child while watching these if you can.  If you can’t and you’re driving somewhere, then so be it.  It still helps in my opinion.

Baby Signing Time

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DHMCVKK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this.  I used this w/my daughter too.  Taught them both a lot of super helpful signs and words.  The video is super cute and the songs are great too.  My kids both love this DVD.  I would definitely get it.  In fact, I bought it twice bc the first dvd got scratched up due to use. 

Toys to encourage speech and language development:

4.5" Set of 6 Wolf, Lion, Owl, Penguin Wild Animals Plastic Nesting Dolls

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L2UAVA0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is great.  My kids love this.  It teaches the animals, sizes, opening, closing.  in and out.  super cute.

Tot Tube Playset - Toy Car and Ball Tunnel Ramp Race Track by Inspiration Play

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PFB0JTQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My kids LOVE this.  super simple but fun.  Teaches taking turns, action words like "go" and "fast", use words like "ball" and "car" and "bounce"

Melissa & Doug Zoo Animals Sound Puzzle

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029N2NLU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 In general, speech therapists don’t like toys that make sounds, but this puzzle my son loves and I make the sounds with him, he mimics me, so it works.  Also, there is a high association with puzzle making and language development.  So we work on puzzles a lot and he’s gotten a lot better at them.  It helps also to say “tuuuurn” to turn the puzzle piece and that kind of thing.

Melissa and Doug Jumbo Paint Brushes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M5J7W0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We bought water paint and have a big big roll of paper that we cut big pieces off and lay on the floor.  We paint and he uses these easy to handle brushes.  I’ll say words like “let’s paint” and “gentle” and I’ll name colors (but do not expect him to learn them).  I’ll make a face or something and tell him what I am drawing.  Called “self talk” or I’ll do “parallel talk” doing this too.

Melissa and Doug Latches Barn Toy

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B1V12KS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I HIGHLY recommend this toy.  Probably my favorite.  There are activities in the Teach your Toddler to Talk book that I used with this toy.  You say things like “Pig in” or “open door” “pig says oink oink” so it teaches actions, animals, sounds, and the latches are entertaining for opening and closing.  It’s engaging.  Super cute.

Melissa & Doug Hide and Seek Wooden Activity Board With Wooden Magnets

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014E7DIS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’d recommend this toy too.  You can say things like “what’s behind the barn door?” or “where is the dog?” or “cookie!” and pretend to eat the cookies.  Super super cute.  Has helped him with several words.

Wonderworld Rainbow Sound Blocks - Stackable Hollow Shape Block Toys - 7 Piece Set https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005BHUU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

we love these too.  They make sounds and are different shapes and colors.  We use these alone and with other blocks.  We say things like “up” and “put on” and “uh-oh” “fall down” “pick up” “shake shake shake”  He likes these, so does my daughter

kilofly Kids Mini Band Musical Instruments Rhythm Toys Value Pack [Set of 12]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C84SUUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is just fun.  The kids like to make music.  The whistle helps with oral muscles.  The music helps and you can sing songs with it. You can say sounds like “boom boom boom” and “cling cling” and then use songs that help with rhyming and such that I have in that list for you.

And then just bubbles.  Buy bubbles.  Teaches breathing control and the words “bubble” and “pop” then you can teach the sign for “more” when your child wants to blow more bubbles.  Because you’re supposed to close the bottle each time and then they will want more and you say “More?” and then you sign it at the same time and then you say “Oh, more, okay!” and open it up and blow more bubbles and repeat until they start signing or asking for “more” or “more bubbles” or “bubbles” or “open”, etc.  So buy bubbles.  Lol.

My son loves basketball so we teach him “bounce bounce bounce” and “shoot the ball” and “make a basket” although he only says “ball” so far.  But its something he really really loves.  

We go on walks and point things out.  Or if we are at a fountain or something we sign and say “water, water” and just keep repeating it.  Every once in a while he will say “wah wah” so that’s something.  More than we had.

He can say “juice” and he would say that for every liquid he wanted.  So in the book, it said to give choices.  So I make a cup of milk and a cup of water.  And I say “do you want milk or water? “ or I say “milk or water” and I sign milk and water when I ask.  Then he will say and sign “Milk” which he NEVER did before.  But that was bc I gave him 2 choices and neither was juice so it forced him to tell me what he wanted.

Anyways, I hope this helps.  I did a LOT of research and reading on the types of toys to get and HOW to encourage talking.  So hopefully I have saved you some time.  I can tell you it’s worked wonders for me.  He went from saying 3 words to saying like 20 in 3 weeks.  It’s a work in progress but I feel really good about the direction we’re headed.
 
Let me know what you decide to buy and do.  I would love to hear about your progress. 

This is one of my favorite infant/toddler toys of all time. Have them roll lots of objects (blocks, balls, cars, cubes, food, whatever) down and see which moves fastest. Have them change the angle and try again. Talk about patterns they begin to see. Use it to play telephone or as a telescope. With infants, roll a ball through slowly in front of them to help develop the concept of object permanence. I have 3 kids 3 and under and they all love this thing!