Hellobee

During the first year of Charlie’s life, I felt like I had to keep him entertained at all times.  Knowing how to play with Charlie didn’t come naturally to me, so I was always researching the best toys.   Luckily I was able to purchase many toys used off my local listserv, and regularly sold any he didn’t play with enough or outgrew so I saved a ton of money.  I’ve  become a lot more laid back now, but I certainly learned a lot about baby toys in the past 21 months!  This guide features the 20 toys that Charlie played with most the first 18 months of his life.

1. Sophie the Giraffe (2 months+) – As soon as Charlie was able to control his hands, he loved chewing on Sophie for as long as an hour at a time!  It’s clear why this is the most popular teething toy!

2. Baby Einstein Take-a-long Tunes (Newborn+) – Rainbow lights flash across the Take-a-long Tunes screen as it plays various classical melodies, so even newborns with their poor vision can enjoy this toy.  I like that it has two volume modes and isn’t obnoxiously loud.  Charlie played with this toy well beyond the age of 1.

3. Exersaucer (6 Months+) – We had a Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo and an exersaucer (that has since been discontinued but they’re all pretty much the same), and while Charlie liked both, he definitely spent a lot more time in the exersaucer.  It only had a life span of a couple of months, and took up a ridiculous amount of space, but for the amount of time Charlie spent entertained in it each day it was definitely worth it.

4. Green Sprouts Stacking Cup Set (6 Months+) – It doesn’t matter what kind of stacking cups you get — we have three different sets and Charlie happily plays with all of them.  These upside of these cups from Green Sprouts are that they’re BPA, PVC and phthalate free, so you don’t have to worry about your newborn chomping down on these.  As your baby gets older he can stack them, nest them, and of course use them as bath toys!

5. Fisher Price Learning Home (6 Months+) – It’s easy to see why this is such a top rated toy — there is so much to do on it!  Charlie received this as a gift for his first birthday, but I can easily see it getting a lot of play from as early as 6 months on.

6. One Step Ahead Ball Pit Balls (6 Months+) – My mom bought these for Charlie when he was 6 months old and he still loves playing with them to this day.  We put all the balls in a big rubbermaid container and he loves sitting in it.  Ball was his first word after all!

7. Fisher Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s First Blocks (6 Months+) – These blocks become interesting to babies as soon as they’re able to put things in their mouths.  They continue to have a long life as Charlie eventually learned how to stack them, and then sort them according to shape (with some help) around the 1 year mark.

8. Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table (6 Months+) – Charlie was obsessed with this toy for quite some time.  When he was a baby, I sat him at the table in his bumbo.  The legs also come off very easily so your baby can also play with it on his belly.  When Charlie was a little older he would pull up on this to stand.  Once he’d mastered eating Cheerios, I would fill the lidded compartment them — much to the delight of his playdates when they would discover the hidden surprise!

9. Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube (6 Months+) – I think this is a neat little toy.  Each side of the cube lights up and plays a specific instrument (piano, flute, etc.) when pressed.  As you press various sides, a musical composition with your chosen instruments is created.  This is easy for a 6 month old to manipulate, but is interesting enough to keep children well into toddlerhood entertained.

10. Fisher Price Little Superstar Classical Stacker (6 Months+) – When Charlie was a baby, the flashing lights of this toy kept him entertained.  When he was a little older he was able to press the button to turn on the music.  And then when he was about 1 years old and had better manual dexterity, he loved stacking the stars.

11. Fisher Price Go Baby Go Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle (6 Months+) – Someone in my local parenting group was giving this away for free, so the price was just right!  At first I thought this was a stupid, huge toy that didn’t do much.  But Charlie instantly became obsessed with it.  I singlehandedly credit this toy for teaching Charlie how to stand.  He played with it for hours daily for months on end.

12. Kidkraft Red Retro Kitchen (9 Months+) – Play kitchens are usually labeled for 3 and older — perhaps when they’re better able to play make believe — but we bought this when Charlie was about 9 months old and he still plays with this consistently to this day.  At 9 months of age this kitchen would keep him entertained for hours – opening the various doors, moving his play food around, pulling himself up to stand.  It’s definitely a big toy that is going to remain in our home for many years.

13. Melissa and Doug Food Groups – (9 Months+) I bought this so Charlie would have something to put in his kitchen.  He’s loved it from day 1 and still plays with his play food all the time.

14. Melissa and Doug Wooden Magnetic Kitchen Bottle Collection – (9 Months+) I bought this after I saw that my friend’s one year old loved this toy.  When he was about 1, Charlie loved taking the lids on and off.  They still get lots of playtime in his kitchen, except he plays make believe, pouring the bottles into his play sink.

15. Alex Red, Set, Go Push Trike (10 Months+) – This is definitely one of Charlie’s all time favorite toys.  We stopped using  a stroller for local outings because he loved it so much.  It will have a long life because Charlie can eventually use it as a tricycle.

16. Little Tikes Shopping Cart (10 Months+) – We’ve owned a number of walkers including the Melissa and Doug Wooden Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy, Chicco Activity Baby Walker, and the Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon and Charlie loved all of them, but I think the Little Tikes Shopping Cart was really the one he loved and used the most when he was learning to walk.  The good thing about the Little Tikes Shopping Cart and the Radio Flyer Walker Wagon is that they have long lives as toys long after your child has mastered walking.

17. Yookidoo Flow n Fill Spout (12 Months+) – Charlie, like most babies, is obsessed with water.  I think bath toys are important because they will definitely get played with every single day.  There are some mixed reviews about this toy, but it has handled a lot of rough play from Charlie over the past six+ months, and it’s still in perfect condition.

18. Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Learning Piggy Bank (12 Months+) – I got this toy for Charlie when he was about a year old, and he instantly loved it.  Something about putting the plastic coins into the slot must be very satisfying.  He also loves to press the piggy’s nose and dance to the music.

19. Doll Stroller (12 Months+) – This is definitely at the top of Charlie’s all time favorite toys.  Even though he plays with it at the playground almost every day, he still likes to play with it at home too.  It’s inexpensive and folds up very easily.   Most kids at the playground have this stroller since most doll strollers tend to be pink, so it’s nice to have one that’s a little different so it doesn’t get confused for someone else’s.

20. Megabloks (12 Months+) – These oversized blocks are perfect for little hands.  I bought these around Charlie’s first birthday, but he didn’t really start getting into them until he was closer to 16 months.  But now at 21 months he plays with them every day and he’s kinda obsessed with them.

So there you have it — Charlie’s top 20 favorite toys from birth to 18 months.  What have been some of your child’s all time favorite toys?