Reddit mentions: The best toy vehicles playsets

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. 

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.

This is probably how I would spend the money, based on the provided curriculum:

1) Life Science - Ecology to Intro Cell Biology:

I would buy around 6 compound microscopes. They are not very expensive and I found a decent model for roughly $280.00 a piece (free S&H). With this, you can cover both ecology and cell biology. If you have prepared slides of plant cells, it would be nice to see those under the scope (xylem, phloem, root tip structure, stomata, etc.). If you have H&E stained slides of animal cells, it would be nice to see different phases of the cell cycle when going over something like mitosis.

2) Physical Sciences - Electricity and Newton's Laws

In my mind, this will probably not be too expensive to cover. For Newton's laws of motion, you can probably buy a bunch of hotwheels car tracks and do simple group experiments with those. I had something like this in mind (~ $15.00 a piece). With these and a bunch of sweet hot wheels cars, I think you can cover the three laws just fine. For electricity, I had
some simple kits in mind which would cover things like resistors, capacitors, power source and circuits but I don't know how much detail you would be going into in class. Nevertheless, on sciencekits.com, they have this, which is something like what I had in mind (~ $14.00).

3) Earth and Space Sciences:

For this, I would primarily want a nice sized globe (~ $550.00). With this, you can talk about continental drift, ocean currents, tilted axis on which the earth rotates, etc.

Some large maps of the world and the solar system would probably also be nice to have.

Earth Map (~ $15.00)

Solar System Map (~ $15.00)

For discussing geology, you can also look in to ordering a bunch of rock samples from here (~ $5.00 a piece)

4) Other Items:

If the class does not already have one, a nice projector would be great (~ $600.00). Hooked up to a computer, you can show videos and simulations of pretty much any topic you will discuss during the course. Maybe you can also get students to do mini-powerpoint presentations on whatever science topic - just to get them in the habit of doing presentations in front of their peers.

Also, if the class does not have one, a nice laptop would be great as well. You can hook it up to a projector and do whatever you want. From peering into the wonders of what Carl Sagan has to share on Youtube to whatever Jenna Jameson has to share on Xtube, it can all be done!

All in all, this should roughly come out to:

6 Microscopes: $1680.00

10 Hotwheels Car Tracks: $150.00

Hotwheels Cars: $10.00 (for a pack of a bajillion)

10 Science Kits (Electricity): $140.00

1 Globe: $550.00

Maps: $30.00

10 Rock Samples: $50.00

Misc. Items (Magnets, Timers, Crafts): $200.00

1 Projector: $600.00

1 Laptop: ~$1000.00


Total: $4410.00

p.s. i would spend the remainder on dry ice.

This would be for my 1yr old son Cody

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089W1IGQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=I2H27P77IAFQ&coliid=INFCLXZ1F7ZM7&psc=1

He loves cars and watching them go fast. He likes to say Vroom!! Vroom!! when he's really excited about watching them go. I would love this for him and know that he would love it even more.

Thank you for this amazing offer.

I have put in for registration and have been talking with Pookie so please feel free to speak with her about my registration if it doesn't show up by the time you choose.

Edit: I just received email confirmation that I am registered

It's God awful lol. I use a HDMI splitter and play on a 4k tv. I use the projector primary for editing and watching RLCS, or as a second screen for my friends to play on when they come over.

Edit 1: Wow! Thanks for the Gold kind stranger!

...And Silver

...Another Gold! You guys are making my night! Thank you!

...Holy smokes! Another Gold! Thank you!!!

...4 Golds!!! No Way!!!
https://m.imgur.com/r/goldgifs/SF6BDLq

Edit 2: Here's a link to the RC Rivals Series Set on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-Rocket-Stadium-Playset/dp/B07B8ZRMFG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=rocket+league+rivals&qid=1566955306&s=gateway&sr=8-1

And here's the App that controls it:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mattel.hwrocketleague

two years ago my oldest was three and his little brother was just starting to crawl. MIL calls up my husband and asks what to get the boys for Christmas. We tell her that the three year old is obsessed with rockets and would love a toy rocket. "Toy rocket! Gotcha!" End of phone call. Now, to be clear, when we said toy rocket for a three year old we were thinking something like this or maybe this, y'know... Toy rockets for three year olds.

A day or two later husband gets a call from MIL who is standing in the toy aisle at some store where she feels she's found the perfect gift. She begins to describe this toy to us and I'm just there emphatically shaking my head NO. Husband is in clear agreement. The toy she's describing to us is a this. A batman vehicle that spins and has pointy dagger like parts, shoots things, and sort of looks like a rocket, maybe? I guess? Kiddo doesn't even know what a batman is. I can picture the baby getting skewered by this thing, it's just not the toy for him, and it's crazy expensive for a hunk of plastic (it was a $40 toy at that point, batman action figure sold separately!)

So husband tells her that's not a great gift for all those reasons, but she's adamant that he'll love it. By that time we had ordered a plush Enterprise for him online and offered to wrap that up from her and Grampa. She freaks out saying that no kid would want a stuffed rocket, and all little boys love batman. Two weeks later guess what shows up in the mail? As predicted by his parents - who actually spend more than ten days every two years with him- he loved his enterprise and was thoroughly confused and then disinterested in the hunk of batman junk. He accidentally smacked his brother with it before New Years, it went up on a shelf and sent off to GoodWill shortly thereafter, never to be missed.

TL/DR: Sometimes they ask, then ignore what you tell them anyway! Oh well... This year it doesn't look like they're sending anything.

It’s a great time to introduce Lego Duplo to him. A basic set like this can provide endless entertainment for an 18m.

Fisher Price Little People sets are also great at this age. If he’s into cars, this set might be fun, albeit a little over the top.

My son was (still is) certifiably obsessed with cars, like the makes and models you see driving down the road. He wasn't as into these two engines as I expected but they were still cute high quality toys:

Theo Klein Service Car Station


Build Your Own Engine Kit

Not engines, but we also got a lot of miles out those take apart type toys that come with their own drills as well as Auotomoblox.

These books are for much older kids, but they're awesome:

How Cars Work: The Interactive Guide


Car Science

For a 5 year old I would look into HO scale. Tyco is not around anymore as far as I know, but I've heard that AFX is a reputable brand for HO scale. Check out this huge set on Amazon for example - 4 lanes, 4 cars, 4 controllers, plenty of track to build many different layouts. They have smaller sets too.

Carrera is an excellent brand as well, but might be slightly too advanced for a 5 year old. Their "Go" brand is 1:43 scale, while the "Evolution" brand is 1:32 scale. Check out our FAQ for more info.

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!

Unfortunately right now Dive Olly Dive doesn't have a toy line, so the best bets i can find off hand would be
This Huge Monster
or if you want a better price point
Fisher Price Imaginext

Hope that helps.

I had one of these when I was a kid. It was awesome, played with it for hours on end. I think my parents ended up selling it at a garage sell or something.

I bought my 2yr old son this one which is an absolute piece of garbage.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Little-People-Racin-Garage/dp/B000NWTHUY

The elevator is next to impossible to raise without some sort of coordination and strength that most 2-4 year old don't possess. The red portion of the ramp continues to fall off with little use. They just don't make them like they used to.

sure , i based it around an actual merry model thats being sold like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Going-Merry-One-Piece/dp/B007EMQRCM

Have you seen This road tape that they have? I've never tried it but I've heard great things.

28 months - Lego Duplo and Vtech Go! Go! Smart Wheels. He also loves this Melissa & Doug Easel - especially the dry erase board.

50.99 prime. Currently Freewheel is 2 dollars on sale: https://smile.amazon.com/Anki-OVERDRIVE-Supertruck-Freewheel-Vehicle/dp/B01FM8ZGVC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480454272&sr=8-2&keywords=anki+supertruck

Careful buying stuff on ebay - I guess that isn't an authorized seller so they don't provide support without receipts. Only bad thing about them IMHO.

Edit: Looks like amazon's pricing just changes like crazy this time of year... your YMMV. :)

It’s the fisher price little people sit n stand skyway. We got it in 2016 and ordered two by mistake (one went to my mom’s house). They were closer to $50 then. If you search amazon for “little people ramp” you’ll see more that are probably newer versions of this concept and better priced. We also bought extra cars because it only came with two. And to think I said to my husband last week “we should probably give this away since he doesn’t play with it anymore.” Glad it’s still here!

Fisher-Price Little People Sit 'n Stand Skyway https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ASVCW1U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_n8hpDbR0HX25A

In addition to the safe candies already mentioned (skittles, sour patch kids, life saver gummies, starbursts), I gave out these mini gliders last year and the kids loved them.

FYI from yesterday: I only say this from experience but when the cars say 3+ sometimes they mean it. I have a young one and he used to put many a car in his mouth. Some cars have small parts that can come off (see Chevy Pickup Surfboard) or can pop off (see Toyota off road trucks spare wheel). Just an FYI.

On the track set up: This set from Target might be a good start. Its around $20 and decently sized.

You can also get Track bulider for under $10. Not sure on shipping.

Both sets can be combined as all HW track matches up with other sets.

Cheaper on amazon

Tawcal Creative car Toy - Kids Rail Car Race Track Parking Lot Kit - Parent-Child Interactive Racing Toy - Urban Rail Car Toy Macarons Train Set for Toddlers Kids City Cars Learning Play Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNLLMFZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kzzFDbA931Q9M

I had a flashback to when I was a kid and my dad bought me this toy, where the penguins went up the stairs to slide down.

https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Race-PLG-2/dp/B000GX40PW

It's a memory I totally forgot, but this GIF reminded me. My mom and dad were divorcing when I got it. It brought me a little joy to watch the penguins go on their little adventure. :(

Wait, I hope you didn't buy it already, cuz it's $85 on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C3FXAM/ref=s9_simh_gw_p21_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZV2GSWSNP3F9ZS94S22&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

Hijacking top thread for everyone asking for a link to product:
Tawcal Creative car Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNLLMFZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YsLUDb7ZG17PQ

My parents still have this at their house. I tried to "borrow" it for my own kids, but they refused since the other grand kids like playing with it. I ended up buying the new version of it from Amazon and it is crap.

Congratulations, you have hand-eye coordination that’s better than a five year old. The toy is found here so now you can link it instead of your shitty adult version.

/u/Sp3cia1K

This thing looks so fucking cool. I couldn't resist organizing a group to get it for Loki. I'm legitimately a little jealous that I don't get to play with it. Hope you can forgive me. ;)

(Seriously, check this shit out.)

It's like a real life version of the penguin race toy.

Amazon has a couple in stock. Also, right now you can sign up for Amazon Prime for 30 Day Trial which gives you 2 day shipping.

Cheaper on amazon. Not a referral link. Theo Klein Service Car Station https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005C3FXAM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_mlXcub08JZNS2

I'll see your little ring floaty game and raise you one penguin race

Significantly less expensive on Amazon

Edit: Changed link to desktop site.

Penguin race!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNLLMFZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YsLUDb7ZG17PQ

Here it is!

Here's the link for those interested.

Here it is for half the price of the other post.

They sell the whole stadium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8ZRMFG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_upB-BbKDK76TD

Hot Wheels Rocket League Stadium Playset https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8ZRMFG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_RaZ8Bb7QQMX56

[That's actually a thing.](Hot Wheels Rocket League Stadium Playset https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8ZRMFG/)

https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Race-PLG-2/dp/B000GX40PW

https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Race-PLG-2/dp/B000GX40PW

Not exactly the same. I think this is the second incarnation.

You can do it!

http://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Race-PLG-2/dp/B000GX40PW

For some reason it reminds of this game.

They're made by Fisher Price and the line of cars are called "Wheelies"

Fisher-Price Little People Sit 'n Stand Skyway

here you go, amazon

http://amzn.com/B000GX40PW