Reddit mentions: The best toy stacking block sets

I sent this email to my coworker about a little over a year ago. Hope it helps!!

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. 

Your house is probably already full of rat toys galore!
Wood chews are really popular and help with dental care. You can get them in the small animal and/or bird section. I bought some beads at Amazon for $3 and my girls love to chew them up. They sell them in fun shapes and sizes--stuff like letter blocks or vegetables. So cute to see a rat running around with a wood chew in her mouth, especially when it's shaped like a stalk of broccoli. Give your girl(s) at least a couple of places to hide and nap! Check the pet store for plastic igloos (get the medium-sized one, or if you get a bigger cage, get the guinea pig one) or even a space pod to hang from the cage ceiling. You can also make fabric hammocks for them to lie in. It's adorable!!!

In addition to lab blocks for feeding (the Kaytee is in my opinion not good; I'd feed until it runs out, then switch to Oxbow), be sure to supplement your girl's diet with fresh veggies! Here is a good list of safe foods. Give fatty foods like nuts in moderation. Dark, leafy greens are a must! At first, your little one will be wary of new stuff, so be persistent in presenting it to her. She'll soon be eating everything in sight. :) Oh! Rarely, as in maaaybe once a month, you can give your rats a cooked chicken bone. (Assuming you eat meat; sorry for assuming!) They love it and it is good for their little teeth.

Was your girl alone in the cage at the pet store, or did she have some siblings with her? If you decide to bring another girl home, have another cage ready. The one you have is pretty small! If you're going to upgrade, this one is a good starter house for two rats. While you're going through the introductions for the new girl and the old girl, keep them separate. You can keep your little cage as a hospital cage once the girls are integrated, or use it as a travel cage for vet visits. If you have a bigger budget and space for a bigger cage, you can look for Critter Nation (if you're in the U.S.) or Savic Suite (outside U.S.) Martin's cages are great too. I got my Critter Nation from Craigslist for very cheap, so look out for deals secondhand. Just sterilize the cages you buy secondhand with a bleach/water solution and rinse it thoroughly, and you should be good. :)

Phew! Sorry if that's a lot of information! To answer your question, you got a fancy rat. Her coloring is called "black hooded." She's beautiful! Get her a sister and you'll have two beautiful little brats to spoil. Good luck. :D

Preschool teacher here!

Expensive STEM stuff -- I've worked with all of them. If I had to get one, I'd probably do Osmo.

Bee bots

Dot and Dash

Cubetto

Osmo

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Other Manipulatives and Toys:

Reptangles - I found these at Savers and my students are super in to them right now.

Snap Circuits

Ikea Cars (not really stem but fun and high quality)

Mobilos -- can create cars but also so many other things

Marble runs of any style

"Pattern Play" Blocks -- We have these but I don't have the instructions, but kids still end up making fun designs out of them!

BIG Waffle Blocks

Architectural blocks sets -- for example

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I have a major soft spot for board games (and related) at this age. Here are a few I love.

Animal Upon Animal

The Little Orchard

Count Your Chickens

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

Snail's Pace Race

Rivers, Roads, and Rails

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Ultimately, though, your focus should be on having fun! Your 3 year old does not need to be reading and writing or doing basic math. He should be learning to play cooperatively, self regulate, and be independent. I would focus on language skills and his ability to communicate effectively and understand directions. I teach Pre-K (currently 5 year olds about to go into Kindergarten) and I do not care at all whether they can write their names or do simple math.

Ikea has a bunch of dramatic play toys and a whole kitchen set that isn't terribly expensive! Most of the toys and activities I've utilized are kind of out of my price range, ones we had at the preschool, but I can make some recommendations: "Gears gears gears!" is an excellent manipulative for kids that are, mmm, 2 1/2 or older. A basic set is $20 most anywhere. Magnatiles are great, and a more expensive step up from that would be Tegu blocks. Grimm's makes a ton of good structural toys, like Leonardo building sticks for older kids, plus a lot of stackers and block sets. They make sooo many different ones. For babies, Haba is another good one, they make a lot of toys for infants.
This toy here was always super popular with the toddlers and the preschoolers: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010VXSFM (The colors are a little more muted in person)

We gave my youngest these Rainbow Sound Blocks last year for Christmas. He was only 3 months old, so didn't use them for a while but he sure has gotten lots of use out of them as he grew. We'd use them to try to encourage tummy time and crawling, then as he was able to sit up he'd just grab and shake them. Now he loves stacking them and knocking them over, and loves looking through the coloured panels as though they are goggles.

(I linked Amazon for ease, but if you are interested you might be able to find them cheaper elsewhere)

My favorite site to go to for gift lists seems to be down, but we used gift cards from family/friends to get some things for my toddler from it. If you have an idea what your friend's kid has already, maybe some of these will work:

• stacking blocks or cups
  
  
• ring stacker
  
  
• shape sorter
  
  
• ball ramp
  
  
• a water table
  
  
• baby puzzles with pegs to pull the pieces out
  
  Board books are also always welcome. Look for Dr. Seuss or other classic titles that you might've enjoyed as a kid (if you remember what you liked).

There's a building toy that I think your son would really love. It's this one, that allows 3d shapes to be put together magnetically:
Qubix

This toy is created by the Magna-Tiles folks, but I actually like their Magna-Qubix toy better than the Magna-Tiles line. I'm an adult and I own more than one of these sets, because I find it relaxing to put these 3d shapes together in different ways. (I'm an adult female somewhere on the spectrum, but not dxed by therapists until I was an adult.)

Edited: to add spacing

Not sure what it is, but it seems to be drawn by hand, I found a couple more variations here and here

Apparently it's from this set.

Also, there is one in this set and this one - I guess it's pretty popular.

Baby girl already has an extensive collection of stuffed animals, and I saw this and we must have it. Cute and functional! Though I don't know how comfy it would be... Oh, I love these awesome blocks, even though they look like they will break in a day.

>Yeah, she had that part covered. The other part, though... well, it was plugged into the network (RJ45) outlet of the computer.

Unless things have changed recently, I'm pretty sure that a laptop's power port is just a round hole. Being that an RJ45 port is a square hole, you should get her one of these as a birthday gift.

Pant pant pant.... WANT! I think I'm going to make myself a 3d wizard out of construction paper tonight to sit next to my monitor. Really cool :)

Edit: Or these babies: http://www.amazon.com/Pixelblocks-Imagination-1200-Block-Set/dp/B000BIX3BE

http://www.amazon.com/Pixelblocks-Imagination-Set-1200-Pieces/dp/B000BIX3BE You could try those. $0.03 per block, but without the ability to custom order the colors. They do look better than lego too IMO-- They're translucent and look really cool in the light

I don't have any good pictures of what I did with mine available, but just google image search for pixel blocks and you'll find much better work anyways.

Plain wooden blocks. I use them to lay out walls and the outlines of buildings. I dump them on the table to represent rubble or boulder strewn areas.

I use them to represent the dungeon by using them for the walls and rooms. I build platforms. I put flying creatures on top of a block (sometimes two or three to represent a lot of height).

Players love them because they make everything more solid than drawing lines on the mat. I like their flexibility.

I'd get one of these. Is there a screen door? If yes, I'd look at putting in a baby gate. If its screen windows, do they go all the way to the floor?

As far as play ideas, things that ride/like a trike. Things he can throw. Things he can climb. An art easel maybe.

I had one of these when I was that age. Kept me entertained for hours because of all the cards that come with it. Here is another one that I highly recommend.

The other ideas are good, IMO, but I want to add TinkerToys. The price is higher than I expected, but this was what came up in a search. When he is older, he might like Erector.

I built some simple trains and provided the instructions and parts list here. https://onedrive.live.com/?id=DAB0C6EDB39FA749%21125512&cid=DAB0C6EDB39FA749 I would caution against trying to build a train set from scratch. The parts are a bit expensive on their own, but this https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Cargo-Train-Amazon-Exclusive/dp/B07C39LCZ9 has everything he needs, then he can just not build it. Or look for LEGO's 60197, a passenger train that has everything, cheaper. I mean, you can get the new control platform from LEGO, but it's $80 for it all individually, whereas the train sets have wheels, bogies, couplers, and all the stuff to get started. I actually used my Cargo train to get the guts for my Casey Jr. model, which ended up being the better value, even though I had no intention of using the set as is..

We love these wooden blocks!!! https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Goose-Periodic-Table-Blocks/dp/B01E7AP4JU?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=AKIAJIQYQPAF4BGEPEZQ&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01E7AP4JU&linkCode=xm2&tag=geekgifts03-20

I’m sorry I couldn’t help :( ... but I literally saw these a week ago in a store - maybe you’d be interested!

planets

This is a good one

What sort of train accessories? Anything like item B00DYRKR40 on Amazon? These also seem to be Jumbo Blocks.

My son's favorite is blocks. Ones he can stack, ones he can sort.

Stacking blocks

Sorting blocks

More sorting

You can still get the old-school wooden kind - but at $240, you'd have to want them pretty badly.

https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-54809-Tinkertoy-Classic-Jumbo/dp/B00004TFRN

Pixelblocks

Maybe Tinker Toys?

A pen.

Ever since I was a kid I have used a pen as a way to alleviate boredom, while it also became how I coped with getting off of my ADD medication when I was around 10.

And I don't mean that in a figurative way, as in I write or draw with a pen, I mean literally. I'll try to explain:

When I get too antsy and I'm feeling bored by the current subject I pull my pen from my pocket, and being to act out whatever scene is in my head, with the pen becoming a character's arm, weapon, whatever it needs to be to describe the rest of the scene to my mind.

I have no idea why I do it or if anyone else does. I do know it started when I used one of my Tinkertoys (just a normal round yellow piece and a straight piece) and I pretended that it was a robot's arm.

I still do it to this day, and it's how I become inspired for my stories or my D&D plotlines.

Does anyone else do this, by chance?

This might do the trick for Trump, but I'm not sure if he'd pass or fail. Some of those shapes are tricky.