When's a Good Time to Research the Best Toys for a One Year Old?

Can y'all believe we're already talking about Baby M's first birthday party? She's going to be 8 months old in a couple of weeks. I have no idea how this happened. I swear she was just born a week ago.

There is a FB group I joined last year that I have been enjoying quite a lot. The group is for moms but I like being a member so I can keep up with all the fun things to do with little ones around town. Many things have changed since the lovelies were coming along and, if I'm going to be the cool grandma, I need to stay on top of current events on the baby/toddler level and the moms don't seem to mind a grandma being a part of it all. Plus, checking out toys is so much fun! And this little face deserves the best, yes?

Some of you know that I do like to do my research before buying products for Baby M. I come at everything from an early childhood developmental standpoint coupled with a huge concern for safety. Of course, fun is a major factor and then there's the whole book fanatic part...

Baby M listening to Aunt Maggie read, THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES. FABULOUS book, BTW.
An absolute MUST HAVE.

Anyway, I have begun the search for toys the hip parents are buying for their littles in the 21st century. I'm not jumping on any bandwagons here. What they're buying has to fit into my developmental specialist realm but I like seeing the new ideas and technology that manufacturers produce to improve the fun playtime for our little precious ones. So, what are the best toys for a one year old? In other words, which toys are going to keep this little nugget occupied and smiling?

I loved reading Parents magazine when the lovelies were growing up. I found an abundance of fun, creative activities to do with them on rainy days, snow days, whatever days and kept up with the latest thoughts/ideas/current kid events so, I turned to them this time as well. It seems not much has changed other than the style and colors and, in some cases, the materials used to manufacture the toys. Seems we've had it right for some time now. Go figure. Ha! We're still sorting shapes, nesting, stacking, pushing, bapping, banging, playing music, and splashing in the tub. Of course, they do list a toy smartphone but that's just not happening at Grandma's house.

I hopped over to NYMag.com to read what they had to say about toys for one-year-olds and the list was similar. What I appreciated about their list, however, was the reminder that the wonder, fun, and importance of some toys do not change. Board books, a jack-in-the-box, wooden push toys, wooden pull toys, all favorites of mine. Especially when the 'Jack' that pops up is not a creepy clown face. Just sayin'. Did they even have choices when we were little? Cause I only remember the creepy clowns. Anyway...



Even Business Insider offered their thoughts on the subject which were more of the same: blocks, push toys, musical toys, shape sorters, cardboard books, and that stupid smartphone. Shame. They were doing so well until that popped up. I realize we're living in the digital age but, seriously, if we don't teach kids the basics with critical thinking skills, how in the world will they be able to be productive members of any society? I'm of the school that believes there is such a thing as too much technology when it comes to little kids and when it comes to teaching kids. Not that they shouldn't learn as much as possible about technology but that's not all there is to life. And that's all the soapboxing for today. You're welcome.

Between the 'experts' and that FB moms group, I think this little sweetie is going to be covered on her first birthday. Which is coming up way too quickly.

I wonder if any experts have figured out a way to slow down time...

What's your favorite toy for a little one?


This post is a partnership with Nakturnal.

10 Fabulous Handmade Toys

Y'all are either not going to believe how awesome these are OR, you're going to wonder if I've been living under a rock 'cause y'all have known about these for YEARS. Nevertheless, here are my top 10 favorite handmade toys. And you can bet that I'll be making some of these with or without grands.

1. Cut up worn out story books and turn them into fridge magnets (just click the picture for the link). Great way for kids to retell the story! I would so do this (and probably get carried away) if the lovelies were little again. Guess I'll have to wait for grands. Or, I could get started now. I do have all the books we read over the years!

2. Make an igloo with recycled milk cartons (just click the picture for the link). AWESOME! Kids or no, I'm seriously thinking about making one of these bad boys!

3. Recycled soda bottle sprinkler (just click the picture for the link)! How stinkin' cool is this?!

4. Cardboard slide from refrigerator box (just click the picture for the link). My brothers and I used cardboard to slide down a big, grassy hill but we just used pillows for the stairs. Wish we had thought of this. Oh, wait. It wouldn't have worked. We weren't even supposed to slide down on the pillows.

5. A doll house from old chest of drawers (just click the picture for the link). Another thing that might not wait. I have a true love for doll houses!

OR re-purpose a CD shelf (just click the picture for the link).

6. Fine motor skill board (just click the picture for the link). We had these at the center where I did my graduate assistant ship. I never thought about it for the lovelies. 

7. Story stones (just click the picture for the link). Too stinkin' cute! WANT!

8. Ribbon wands (just click the picture for the link)! Who doesn't enjoy a good ribbon wand?

9. Yarn and ribbon laser course (just click the picture for the link)! Oh yeah! I foresee this in our immediate future. No kids needed. 

10. Shower curtain play mat (just click the picture for the link). What a great idea! 

Dang, there are some creative folks out there!

Ok, what great ideas do y'all have?

Cool And Awesome

I have seen a few toys out there that I would love to have! Yes, I still enjoy playing from time to time. AND, one never knows when the grandchild fairy will wave her magic wand upon them. Plus, just because some of us live in an empty nest (or should be living in one), doesn't mean we don't enjoy a fun toy every now and then. SO---

1. Kinetic Sand. This stuff is awesome! I could spend HOURS playing around with it. This one is just for my own personal entertainment.

2. Shark Laser Pointer (just click on the picture to go to the site). OMG but couldn't I have some fun using thisas a pointer in my classes????? It would be AWESOME!

3. Chalktrail (just click on the picture to go to the site).. Got a bike? Then this is just perfect. Though I might get dizzy and bust my ass head open looking backwards at my designs.

4. Eco-Crayons (just click on the picture to go to the site). We all love crayons. These are so cool in so many ways!

5. Multi-Voice Changer (just click on the picture to go to the site). Oh yeah! Not only could we all have big fun with this gem but, just think of the power of retaliation you would have by giving it to a kid with obnoxious parents.

6. Punch Paddles (just click on the picture to go to the site). Talk about getting up off the couch! This would be way big fun! And it provides a means for venting! Not that I'd aim for anyone's face or anything. 

7. Marshmallow Shooter (just click on the picture to go to the site). A little on the tame side but fun nonetheless. They make them for the big marshmallows too. 

8. Bright Lights BBOP (just click on the picture to go to the site). Come on now. Do I really have to say anything at all about this one????

9. Supersized Light Doodler (just click on the picture to go to the site). Maybe it's just a throwback to my college days, but I find this one rather hypnotic. And fun. 

10. Foam Sports Disks and Rubber Ball (just click on the picture to go to the site). Another fun way to get up off the couch! 

OR this one, Smakaball:

I know you see kids in those pictures but I assure you that there is not one single adult in this family who wouldn't totally enjoy these items. 

Santa, if you're reading this....

Would y'all like any of these toys?