Top Toddler Gifts for Christmas

With a two year old toddler in the house, we are on the look out for the perfect Christmas gifts and we have been busy testing some top toys that will be hitting wish lists this year.  I am delighted to share with you some lovely gift ideas that we have personally tested, and I would love to hear what you would add to this list? Here are our top ten . . .

Rocket Tent

Read more ⇨

Brio Farm Railway Review

As with most toddlers, Dylan has developed a bit of a thing for transport.  He loves the airplanes that fly incredibly low over our house, the buses we go on every week and his favourite has to be trains.

He loves going on the train, spotting the trains, books about trains, Thomas the Tank, and of course he loves his new Brio Train Tracks that we were sent from The Toadstool.

These are Dylan's first wooden trains, and we have had great fun playing with them and testing them over the last few weeks.  The tracks are easy to put together, and Dylan can manage it himself, although not into a circle yet. The Farm Railway set comes with everything you need for imaginative train play, and there are plenty of sets you can buy to add on and link up with it.

Read more ⇨

The Toadstool - Haba Toys Review

With Christmas looming, I think we are all starting to think about what to buy the little people in our lives.  As both our boys are still so young, we have decided not to go overboard this year and choose a few special things to buy.  I know they will be spoilt by family and friends but I love choosing things that I know they will love and I have been keeping an eye out for the perfect gifts.

As Toadstool Toy Testers, we were sent something to review for each of the boys and they have both enjoyed their wooden toys.  Dylan is puzzle mad and always have been, and this wooden pirate puzzle from Haba is exactly the kind of thing I will be getting him for Christmas this year.  He has progressed from the wooden board puzzles, but often the next stage puzzles are flimsy and easily broken (especially with a teething baby around).  This puzzle features 9 wooden pieces which are much more robust and can handle a little chew now and again (although we will be much more vigilant once Archie gets some teeth!)

Dylan loves all things pirate so this was an immediate hit.  The puzzle says suitable for ages  2+, and at 26 months this is perfect for my little man.  He is particularly interested in puzzles though so I would say that this would be a perfect present for a 2.5/3 year old this Christmas.  The pieces are easy to slot together and once you have the puzzle mastered, you can play spot the difference between the completed puzzle and the image on the board.

 What I really love though, is that as the puzzle fits into the board it is easy to store, with no loose pieces or bulky boxes.  The puzzle is a great price at £8 which I think is very reasonable as this is a puzzle that will last through several children.  For parents like myself that want to choose a few special gifts, I would highly recommend this.

Archie is well into teething territory yet his smile is still gummy.  Every toy is thoroughly explored with his eyes, hands and mouth and he has been testing a  toot toot clutching toy from Haba.

This wooden ring features cars and signs and has a little bell that rings when it is shaken (or thrown as he has a tendency to do).  Archie seems fascinated with it and it is not exciting enough for his big brother to decide he 'needs' it as soon as it comes out to play.

It is an easy toy to pop in the changing bag and great for little gums.  I really love wooden toys and this is no exception.  I have no idea how it will hold up once teeth are added into the equation but we haven't had to worry about that yet.

If you are looking for inspiration for the little people in your life, then these wooden toys are beautiful and well made and I certainly prefer them to their plastic equivalents.

Disclaimer:  We were sent these products for the purpose of this review as part of our role as Toadstool Toy Testers

 but all thoughts, opinions and photos are completely my own.

Read more ⇨

Time for a BBQ!

Finally the weather seems to have improved and we have been busy having BBQs in the garden - pretend ones that is.  Dylan's imagination is growing by the day and he is loving role play and pretend at the moment. The Toadstool sent him a Haba BBQ set to play with and he has been enjoying cooking for his brother and I and attempting to feed chicken drumsticks to poor Archie.

The set comes as a selection of barbecue foods, all made with felt and soft materials and incredibly high quality.  I love the fact that they are not plastic like most children's toys and the colours are vibrant and fun.  It also comes with a BBQ grill and I was very disappointed with this as it was made of thin cardboard and not sturdy enough to withstand a toddler.  We have made sure that the set goes back in the box after every play but the grill is already looking crushed and battered and certainly won't last until the end of the summer.

I am going to attempt to make my own grill out of some stronger materials as the toy food is fantastic and Dylan loved practising picking things up with the tongs (included). I think this toy is perfect from when they start with imaginative play and will last a long time as the food is great quality.   

All the food items are machine washable which is brilliant for my house as it won't be long before Archie is crawling around and chewing on everything he can find.  The fact that the food is made of soft materials is also great for having a baby around as should anything accidentally get thrown, it isn't going to cause any harm.

It is sold at £26 which seems a little expensive when you would have to replace part of the toy but if you have a toy kitchen or grill already then this would be a great addition.  Dylan loves playing with it and it is great watching him explore, learn and develop his imagination.

Amendment : This toy has now been discounted as the quality of the grill is in question.  You can also buy the food separately at a considerably cheaper rate which is a real bargain.

Disclaimer:  We were sent this toy free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Read more ⇨

Lilliputien Toys Review

Archie is nearly 4 months old and getting more and more interactive by the day, both with the people around him and with his toys.  He has the motor skills to bat and pull and the co-ordination to reach what he wants.  The Toadstool sent us some toys from their gorgeous Lilliputiens range to try out and Archie is really enjoying playing with them.

After

Read more ⇨