What did you get your DC for his/her 1st birthday?

[Anonymous]

DS's first birthday is coming up, and I want to get him a toy that he will enjoy and one that would last for years - perhaps something he can share with his own kids one day. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am thinking about something in the $100 range - I like the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn products, but was thinking about something non-plastic that might be more of a classic toy. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

We let grandparents get the toys and opted to get one of the PBK personalized bean bag chairs as a birthday present. Huge hit and still going strong 18 mos later. Not something to pass along to the next generation, but has a long useful life. DS loves to sit on the bean bag and read books.

[Anonymous]

blocks - nice quality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:blocks - nice quality

something like these

http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/HA1138/Haba-Sticki-Bausteine-%2827-Blocks%29.html?oompaItem=Haba_Sticki-Bausteine%20%2827%20Blocks%29

[Anonymous]

Do NOT go overboard. One simple and memorable gift that you can someday say you bought him. I like the beanbag chair idea BTW! We bought way too much plastic crap for our kids for their early birthdays. Now it is cluttering up my basement and they play with empty cardboard boxes. Keep it simple and make a nice contribution to his college fund. Far better use of funds IMO.

[Anonymous]

22:10 - I did not believe it at the time, no matter how many times you said so.

But it is so true!

[Anonymous]

Five years ago I got my son a playhut tent + tunnel combo (3 tents, 2 tunnels) and he still plays with the tents with his little brother. Over time, they've been sites of hide and seek, forts, second homes, time machines to visit dinosaurs, etc. Not something to pass to the next generation, but fun, not age specific, and especially no batteries.

They don't make the exact set-up anymore, but it's something like this.

http://www.brightandfuntoys.com/noname84.html

[Anonymous]

We got our daughter a doll and a book - it's the first six Madeline stories in a single volume, and we thought it was especially appropriate since our daughter's middle name is Madeline. I liked the combination of something fun and something more practical.

[Anonymous]

The Playskool Ball Popper. You can find it cheaper elsewhere:

http://www.amazon.com/Playskool-Busy-Ball-Choo-Train/dp/B001KKIHGI
But my son is 10 and won't let me retire it. He has more of these light balls and tries to run them through fast or toss them from a distance. I must admit it has been fun to play with him with this toy.

[Anonymous]

Little Tikes car-we keep it inside and he drives it around the house. This one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Little-Tikes-30th-Anniversary-Cozy-Coupe/10760039?findingMethod=rr

[Anonymous]

We got this:

All-Star Sports Climber
http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1499

It might seem like too much, but we just cleaned out our bottom floor and we were looking for something "gymboree-ish" for him to play with since he looooves to climb. He loves it, and he climbs up the stairs, sits at the top, and turns around to slide down. So cute. He also loves to crawl under it and hide. I hope we can keep it for a few years, and it's not that big!

[Anonymous]

07/02/2010 11:38 again.

A family member bought him this:

Mater the Truck Activity Ride On
http://www.amazon.com/Kiddieland-Toys-Limited-035162-Activity/dp/B000EX0GRK

At first I didn't really like it and was ho hum about it, but oh my gosh he LOVES it like crazy. As soon as he comes downstairs he points at it and goes crazy.