Reddit mentions: The best toy construction tools

I think the free night of sitting is an awesome idea. I have done it several times. I usually make something up in photoshop and print it out or you could hand-draw something. It wasn't awkward for me at all, but I think the parents felt a bit odd about using it (probably not all would, but mine did). Like when they asked me to sit, they were like "can we use the coupon?" I said of course. Then DB still tried to pay me at the end of the night..LOL. Plus they didn't stay out as late as they usually would, so I could tell they were trying not to take advantage. I have also had the kids pic put on an ornament.


8month old- Will be walking soon, so how about something they can play with now/push later? This one is out of the price range you said, but I know there are less expensive versions. I got my lil' one this activity walker and she loves it

She also likes the Little Tikes Mower

Or type "ball popper" into Amazon. Just about every company makes some version of a ball popper and the kids usually have fun chasing balls all over. She may be too young, but this is great too

For the 2.5: My son had this food set when he was little It is so much fun. by Melissa&Doug. It comes with a play knife and you "cut" through the velcro holding it together. Even I liked playing with it..lol

For unique instruments, how about something like this I had to look up the name. There are lots of versions

I thought of it because my son has this one you take the stick out and run it along the back :)

Other ideas for different instruments: maracas, xylophones, recorder or flutophone, ocarina, harmonica. I found a tiny Ukulele at the dollar store the kids couldn't get enough of it.

the duck is alive

So this (from my For the Girls wishlist) makes me happy because loooook at how cute it is. My 2 year old is super into "gardening" (playing in the dirt) and I can see her having a ball with this.

PS welcome baaack even though I don't know you 💖💖

I've found that Step2 is pretty good about having gender neutral colors and themes for pretend play toys, like kitchen sets, tool sets, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Step2-Lifestyle-Custom-Kitchen-Black/dp/B00A2N867E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395184811&sr=8-2&keywords=step2+kitchen

http://www.amazon.com/Step2-762700-Real-Projects-Workshop/dp/B000FHQJLW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395184833&sr=8-3&keywords=step2+workbench

Melissa and Doug is another good source for sturdy pretend play items. And even using real-life items for pretend play, like an old set of pots and pans or used adult or big-kid clothing can be used.

I'm in Australia too so I know the pain of trying to find those toys! This completely depends on your budget so I can give you a few suggestions and you can see fit on what to do with them.

I think buying the Morpher (its the gun looking one) http://www.amazon.com/Power-Rangers-Dino-Charge-Morpher/dp/B00PNJYS8I and a few of the charger packs (its the battery sized cylinders with a dinosaur figure) http://www.amazon.com/Power-Rangers-Dino-Charge-Charger/dp/B00PNJYSIS/ref=pd_bxgy_21_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1GET67YE95ZVZF02VJ8D is a good place to start. Maybe ask him which colour ranger is his favourite and get him the action figure of that with their dinosaur figure with the charge packs. The dinosaurs are also colour coded to help with that selection.

If he says his favourite is the gold ranger than the sword morpher or this pack in the link http://www.amazon.com/Power-Rangers-Dino-Charge-Ranger/dp/B00Y8CWFBI/ref=pd_sim_21_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41IzIEOfYbL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1HMRYNVW4QV1J8W0HXXZ might be better for him. If you want to be sneaky maybe just watch him play Power Rangers to see which one he is or watch for a reaction to a certain ranger when he watches them on TV. Good luck and I hoped this helped you

There are some really awesome toy tools out there that actually work but pretty much are only useful in their own set and safe.

I could probably drive a nail with my daughter's hammer but it wouldn't be pleasant. She has https://www.amazon.com/Hape-Kids-Wooden-Tool-Accessory/dp/B0076O6G60/

I'm not entering, instead suggesting a Disney Amazon item. I bought this when I got my first car this May (woo!!). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0752992X7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OpaADbBZA39MG

This adorable little Pascal hangs from my rear-view mirror and sparks much more joy than any Marie Kondo special would ever do for me.

You can start her learning to use tools at least, like get her a toy like this or something? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07915ZMHH/ Or even a real small screwdriver, hand drill, screws, let her build stuff with you (a toy box to start?).


Can she build a Lego kit without help? Those sorts of skills would help ramping up to building a PC, also.


You could also have her assemble the tower and peripherals with you. Monitor plugs in here, WiFi adapter, keyboard, and mouse plug in here, speakers/headphones go here, power cords go here and here, etc.

The nicest thing on my list is this advent calendar for my son. His Elf on the Shelf usually brings one but I can't afford it this year.

Thanks for the contest 💝

This is actually the one we're hoping to get but the one he fell in love with at the store was this: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Junior-Workshop-Closed/dp/B0016DE80I/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1481251626&sr=1-2&keywords=black+and+decker+tools+bench

They look like the ones that came in the Fischer Price Drill set.


http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Drillin-Action-Tool-Set/dp/B00CQHZ0FU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

My kid loved that thing.

I need to teach my son how to tie his shoes. He's 7, it's time. He has these awesome Converses he won't wear because he would have to tie them.

It's an old magnet toy. You hold it such that the balls wrap around the end and come back the other way. Like an older version of something like this

BQ Cabbage Patch Dolls, though I never had one. People beat each other up trying to get those for their kids. Crazy. The crazes that I participated in were clackers and Magic Rail Twirler (though I don't think we called them that).

Yesterday well, I didn't do any acro. But, I was a good friend and helped J. pick out and buy the colors for her new place, because some times that is more important than getting a workout in. Also, B. made yummy salmon, carrots, and rice for me. And, I had my follow up with the integrated med person. We did a bunch more blood work (again) this time testing a fully thyroid panel (because my hair is falling out and my temperature is on a steady decline) and re-testing my iron cause if it didn't improve at least somewhat she's going to make me take stronger iron pills. And, we have the phase 2 plan in place - finish up these supplements this weekend and Monday starts hardcore probiotics and a starch-free high fiber diet for a month to feed all the beasties we want in there without feeding the bad ones. Not sure how the hell I'm going to do a starch-free diet. I'm going to live on chicken, salmon, carrots, greens, oranges and psyllium husks, I think. sigh

Today

• Work - more gulp. My Emma meeting.
  
• Exercise - gym at lunch, z-health this afternoon
  
• Life - Um, I'm not sure. Cook for the kiddo. Maybe make some cookies and pop them in the freezer for Saturday (birthday shenaningans but someone else is bringing cake). There was something I was thinking of doing while the kiddo was at class...but I can't recall what.

If you want to get clothes, go for 3T. If it's too big, at least he can wear it later; if it's too small, that's worse.

My daughter is turning 2 and some things on the wishlist we sent to family is:

• A magna doodle
  
• A toddler tool kit
  
• Magnet building bricks
  
• Toy lawnmower
  
• Various books about potty training, colors, numbers, ABCs, Daniel Tiger (her favorite show), and Moana (her favorite move at the moment)

Look at some pretend play toys and workshops. Black and Decker has an Amazon Exclusive workbench that is very realistic.

https://www.amazon.com/Decker-Junior-Workbench-Workshop-Realistic/dp/B0016DE80I

I am amazed of how much more I've been getting done since my little one has this to "help":

Melissa & Doug Toolbox Fill and Spill Toddler Toy With Vibrating Drill (9 pcs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U4CUHC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1hUJzbN80A6X3

You can never go wrong with a sonic screwdriver. Plus that's the new one that's just come out, so there's a good chance they don't own it yet.

You need to get him a bottle of syrup like this one and glue the big toy screw from something like this to it.

Cut the plastic screw in half, and glue one half to each side of the bottle so it looks like it's going through it.

Ortho, you say?

 

But in all seriousness I agree with what others have said for the most part

I would be a little worried about what the keys are made of, although I don't really know if there's anything to be concerned about. B. Toys makes a pretty realistic set of toy keys. I've seen them at Target, here they are on amazon

Battat Take Apart Toys have been a big hit in our house. Age-appropriate LEGO/duplo sets, 25 piece foam floor puzzles, doctor/vet kits, playsets (like Little People) have also gotten a lot of mileage at our house! we've picked up a few board games, like Chutes and Ladders, Gone Fishing, Candyland, and Yeti in my Spaghetti, but our kid is a little too wild for them still.

Science Gifts

• Glow in the Dark Space Puzzle
  
• Glow n’ Grow Terrarium
  
• Crystal Growing Lab
  
• Meteorite Dig Kit
  
• Grow a Hedgehog Kit
  
• Magnet Science Kit
  
• Volcano Making Kit
  
• Tin Can Robot
  
• Solar System Model Kit
  
• Glow in the Dark Slime Kit
  
• Crystal Mining Kit
  
• Magic Science Kit
  
  
  Shopkins
  
  
• Brush Buddies Toothbrush
  
• Fashion Spree Makeup Spot
  
• Season 3 2-pack Basket
  
• Season 3 Bundle
  
• Season 3 Basket Bundle
  
• Pop n’ Race Game
  
• Season 3 12-pack
  
• Poster Book
  
• Sticker Activity Book
  
  Dress Up
  
  
• Doctor’s Kit
  
• Disney Princess 300+ piece Jewelry Kit
  
• Doc McStuffin’s Dress Up Kit
  
• Disney’s Frozen, Anna’s Coronation Gown
  
• Disney’s Frozen, Elsa’s Snow Queen Gown
  
• 3 Pair Dress Up Shoes
  
• Tool Belt Pretend Play
  
• Kids Construction Vest
  
• Dress Up Tiaras
  
• Snow White Dress
  
• Cinderella Dress
  
• Sofia the First Dress
  
• King Costume
  
• 12 Animal Masks
  
• Sheriff Callie Dress Up Set

If anyone is interested in buying a NASCAR impact gun, here you go.

Battat is the brand name you are looking for. They sell a series of vehicles that are meant to be taken apart and reassembled with simple electric tools.

Battat – Take-Apart Crane Truck – Toy vehicle assembly playset with functional battery-powered drill - Early childhood developmental skills toy for kids aged 3 and up https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAWF2D8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Z1W5BbBTRWSMP

https://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-Retro-Magic-Twirler-colors/dp/B0009XIF3W