What toys would you recommend for an 18 month old?

[Anonymous]

I feel like my DS is outgrowing many of his toys. It's been a while since we've bought any new ones. I'm wondering what toys grabbed your 18-2 year olds attention -- and will work in a small apartment? We can't do a trike or the ride on toys b/c there's not enough space.
Thanks for the suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Right now my 18 month old DD is obsessed with the Ikea popsicle molds - i.e. the actual ones for making popsicles. I just washed them, and they stack together, so she's been stacking and unstacking them - may need to buy a 2nd set to actually make pops with!

Other toys she loves at the moment that would work in a small space include the $1.59 (or something like that) big bouncy ball - she carries it around, kicks it, etc., and a $8.99 toy stroller - she loves pushing it around. That might be too 'girly' for your son, but something like that to push around seems to be a big hit with this age group.

She also loves books, and really just entertains herself mostly with *our* stuff and ignores her toys!

[Anonymous]

My 19 month old DS loves his older sister's doll stroller - it's not just for girls! he also loves cars and trucks of any kind, from matchbox ones to the bigger ones that have buttons and make noises. Also, haven't tried this yet, but at Target, they sell a Matchbox toy set that folds up and then unfolds into a construction set, or garage, and they can run the matchbox cars in them. DS also loves board books, especially about trucks. And definitely agree with the stacking toys and balls.

[Anonymous]

PP 11:42 here, I forgot to add Duplos are a big hit here too.

[Anonymous]

Some high quality wooden blocks?
(not made in China)

[Anonymous]

We had the same issue and just took our 14 mo old to Toys R us. She loves books, stacking cups and balls and we thought we would get her a first role play type of toy (little people maybe). It turned out that she loved thomas the train and a drawing pad.... so this is what we got plus a flute.

[Anonymous]

my 18 month old loves a baby stroller and - believe it or not - brooms (and mops, vacuum cleaners, etc.). He is big into "pretend" cleaning.

[Anonymous]

11:31 again - agree with the pretend cleaning implements (when other kids are here, the brooms seems to be THE toy that gets fought over.) Also crayons for drawing. Got this big roll of paper at ikea for like $5 - I'll just roll out a fresh strip and let her have at it. She gets a big drawing surface, but rolled up it doesn't take much space.

[Anonymous]

I agree about the broom and books. My 18 month old DD also loves her little pull toy, it is a wooden clacking alligator/crocodile on a string and she can't get enough of it!

[Anonymous]

My 18 month old loves kitchens, shopping carts, strollers (not dolls though), cars and puzzles. She has outgrown the pull toys and the corn popper type push toys. She has never really been into blocks even though we have several different types. I just got some Little People things, but I don't know yet whether she will like them.