Farrar Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) My brother says that I should get the nephews (who are almost 2 and 3.5 yo) some building toys for Christmas. The older one is whip smart and has good motor skills for his age for stuff like that. Like, he could put together a wooden train track, I'm sure. Or build a decent block tower. The younger one doesn't try to eat everything anymore and rarely tries to peg you in the head with it anymore. So, progress. Favorites? Ideas? Anything new that's out there now? We loved the Haba Ball Track... but for a family that's not excited about it, it's a lot to spend. We also loved our Kapla Blocks (I still have both of these things - the Haba and the Kaplas)... but I'm not sure if they're a bit too small and shouldn't wait for that. Or if they might not be flashy enough. I got them a set of Magnatiles last year and they were a hit. I could do more of them, I guess? I considered starting them on a wooden train track... but I'm not sure if it would be "the thing" ya know? But they do like cars and tracks and don't have one yet. Edited December 12, 2019 by Farrar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 Are Bristle Blocks too dorky? I'm remembering now that they really had a moment here for us at around those ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 The best toy my kids ever had was unit blocks. They played with them for years and years. I would buy the biggest set possible and add to it every year. They work beautifully with the Haba Ball Track later as well. https://www.barclaywoods.com/standard-wooden-unit-blocks 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 We still have them. I am storing them for grandkids. They are definitely heirloom quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Lego Duplo was a favorite here 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 Those Barclay Woods blocks are gorgeous but probably beyond my intended price range. I was more in the $100 level to give them a joint. I was told no Legos. So... yeah. I was like, even Duplos, but apparently. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I was going to suggest magnatiles. Maybe a set with wheels since they have some tiles already? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 I didn't know there were Magnatiles with WHEELS! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I think Bristle Blocks are cool, but if Legos/Duplos are a no go I don't know how they would be received. My DD11 just got out her wooden train set today and set up an animal rescue train. Truly! I'd definitely consider a nice starter wooden train set. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 Yeah, I'm not sure why no Legos. They are definitely NOT a no plastic family. If anything, they have more of that sort of stuff than we did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 1. Magnatiles with wheels! 2. Lincoln logs. The train set is actually our second favorite, but you don't seem to be too interested. We have the table and extra pieces. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeless Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I say Bristle Blocks with a gift receipt, in case mom and dad feel prickly about it. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 blocks, Lincoln logs duplo age appropriate erector type set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Maybe they've stepped on too many Legos in their time? When the kids were little I really wanted those Waldorfy natural blocks that aren't cubes and look like you just cut them off the tree, but the kids never did quite enough block play to justify the cost and the shelf space. Say what you want about Waldorf schools, sometimes their toys are really cute. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Right-brained Mom has lovely block sets she makes herself. This is my favorite. But a train is great, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medawyn Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 My kids (ages 1-6) play daily with MagnaTiles paired with small plastic animals from Target. As in, almost daily for at least 2+ years. We have two sets of bristle blocks that also get played with frequently. Very good for making vehicles/people/robots, less good for structures. Our classic wooden blocks get played with if I have them displayed right, but still get ditched for the Magnatiles. We are recently into Plus Plus blocks. I keep them in my bag for being out and about. They have a large size that would work for those ages. My almost two is definitely frustrated by the little ones right now, and my 3.5 is only just getting the hang of them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 5 hours ago, parent said: We have magformers, not magna tiles. My kids don't play with these often. ETA: I never bought magnatiles because a local children's museum has them and they never play with them. I went with magformers as they seemed to have more options. ETA: My kids still also play with unit blocks, I had a couple of the Melissa and Doug sets. On the Magformers, they aren’t as popular here as Magnatiles, but we have a lot more Magnatiles? I bought a car/robot kit for Magformers this year for our 5yo and I’m hopeful it will be a hit. We have the wheels for Magnatiles and I was surprised at his reaction of meh. He’s a wheels kinda guy. Tegu. If $$ was no option, Tegu blocks are my perfect idea. I will second the M&D unit blocks. We had a set from when M&D first gained popularity and my other option was expensive Lakeshore. Those blocks saw a lot of play. I just bought a set for my grandson for Christmas! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabercro Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I would definitely vote add to the magnatiles. Wheels, different shapes, clear, glitter... there's all kinds of expansion packs out there now. And the bigger they get the bigger and more complicated stuff they'll want to build. If they have room for it, a light table or light board might also be a cool gift to use with the magnatiles they already have. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 https://www.target.com/p/melissa-38-doug-standard-unit-solid-wood-building-blocks-with-wooden-storage-tray-60pc/-/A-47994137 Target has a toy special, spend $100, save $25. At $55 apiece for the Melissa & Doug Unit block sets, you could get one for both kids for less than $100. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caedmyn Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Magformers. My 3 yo has played with these a ton since he was about 2.5. My 6, 9, and 11 yo’s still love them. If I had to pick only one toy those are what I’d pick. If your nephews already have and enjoy Magnatiles, I’d say get more of those. Or maybe some of those big cardboard blocks for building houses. My boys loved Duplos and then Legos when they got old enough, but for whatever reason wooden train tracks, Lincoln logs, and wooden blocks never really caught on here. They’d get some, play with them for a bit, lose interest, and they’d get scattered everywhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matrips Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 10 hours ago, Farrar said: My brother says that I should get the nephews (who are almost 2 and 3.5 yo) some building toys for Christmas. The older one is whip smart and has good motor skills for his age for stuff like that. Like, he could put together a wooden train track, I'm sure. Or build a decent block tower. The younger one doesn't try to eat everything anymore and rarely tries to peg you in the head with it anymore. So, progress. Favorites? Ideas? Anything new that's out there now? We loved the Haba Ball Track... but for a family that's not excited about it, it's a lot to spend. We also loved our Kapla Blocks (I still have both of these things - the Haba and the Kaplas)... but I'm not sure if they're a bit too small and shouldn't wait for that. Or if they might not be flashy enough. I got them a set of Magnatiles last year and they were a hit. I could do more of them, I guess? I considered starting them on a wooden train track... but I'm not sure if it would be "the thing" ya know? But they do like cars and tracks and don't have one yet. Duplo blocks with the duplo animals and trains (the duplos with the wheels) were my kids favorite! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 My dc loved (and still do) the larger size plus plus blocks. The ages of my youngest dc are 3 and 5. My ds8 still plays with them, and dd10 and dd12 still make things out of them occasionally, esp. to make things to supplement their play with others toys. Dd10 and dd12 have requested the smaller ones to make more intricate items. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 13 hours ago, Tanaqui said: Maybe they've stepped on too many Legos in their time? When the kids were little I really wanted those Waldorfy natural blocks that aren't cubes and look like you just cut them off the tree, but the kids never did quite enough block play to justify the cost and the shelf space. Say what you want about Waldorf schools, sometimes their toys are really cute. If you have someone near you take down a hardwood tree, you can make some nice ones by cutting a few branches up and sanding the surfaces. I have a nice set of hardwood rhythm sticks and a few log drums (big chunks, hollowed out on one side) that came from an oak that got blown down-the kids always find it amazing that we are making music with pieces of a tree. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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