Welcome to the 2010 updates of Baby Cheapskate’s “Toys That Get Played With” lists. The twelve toys on this list are here for one reason and one reason alone – because kids love them and continue to play with them long after the holiday decor is boxed up.
There’s no one toy that every kid likes, but the 12 toys on the list have proven track records. Hundreds of Baby Cheapskate readers have responded to more than half a dozen polls posted thrice yearly over the course of three years about which holiday toys their kids are still playing with. I’ve pored through the responses to compile this list. Each toy is linked to its listing on Amazon so that you can learn more about it.
Most Loved Toys for Babies 13 months to 24 months:
- Play Kitchen
- Trains (GeoTrax (below) wooden, etc.), Train Table
- Musical Instruments
- FP Doodle Pro (above)
- Doll Stroller
- Little People Sets
- Toy Shopping Cart
- Mega Bloks, Duplo, other building sets
- Play House (Step 2, Little Tikes, etc.)
- Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
- Wooden Puzzles
Related:
- Toys That Get Played With 2010: 6 to 12 months
- Early Shopper’s Guide to Holiday Shopping: 10 Tips to Help You Save Big
- See more Black Friday | Holiday Shopping posts
Coming later this week: More Toys that Get Played with lists:
- 25 to 36 months
- 3 to 4 years
My 2.5-year-old daughter LOVES the doll stroller that we got her for Christmas last year. I bought a $10 model by Circo, but I wish that I had gotten something more durable because she plays with it ALL THE TIME.
This is a great list. My daughter has had and loved many of the toys on it. I’m looking forward to seeing what is recommended for her age now.
I don’t know what it is about those darn shopping carts, but — yeah, that is definitely on my “can’t believe she’s *still* playing with it list for this age group. Nice roundup!
I would recommend the following brands/types for the toys listed above:
- Play Kitchen: Wooden Toy Kitchen by KidKraft (Model 53195 or 53194)
- Doll Stroller: Chicco Doll Stroller
- Little People Sets: Happy Sounds Home and Zoo Train
- Play House: Step 2 Doorway Playhouse
I would consider these some of the best in terms of price and quality.
My 22-month old son has loved most of these, but musical instruments have definitely had the most staying power. He got the Remo floor tom for Christmas last year and loves it, uses it as a drum, echo chamber, beanbag catcher, etc. It’s got a great quality sound and he’ll play on it much more than the cheap-sounding plastic Parents brand/B. Parum Pum Pum (looks like the same set) drum that also shows up on the Amazon search results. It’s also a drum that will be just as age-appropriate for him to play with in a few years. He also loves his egg shakers and a little plastic echo microphone I picked up at Target for a few dollars.
FYI, West Music (westmusic.com) and Music Is Elementary (musiciselementary.com) are other good places for instruments and are sometimes cheaper than Amazon.
FP Doodle Pro has stampers that are fun but listed as choking hazards for under 3 years old. The one pictured above is the FP Doodle Pro Classic that does not come with the stampers.
Thank you! I was just going to ask what the difference was between the different models.
I’m looking to buy my 15 month old son a toy for $50 or less. He has some puzzles, a drum, and a push car. Any recommendations? I”m leaning toward a little people set (but which one? an airplane?) and/or a shopping cart…
As grandparents we’re looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for our nearly 14 month old grandson. Suggestions?
I’m surprised that the Manhattan Toys Rumblie Garrett Garbage Truck isn’t on here. That is a major hit with my daughter and her friends. They love the sound of the wheels and hiding stuff in the “trunk” that opens up. It’s prime eligible on Amazon, too. Best toy car ever!
http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Toy-Rumblie-Garret-Garbage/dp/B001650SO6