Toys for Boys???

My son loves anything with wheels. He especially loves his fire engine. It has buttons on it that make loud siren noises and ladders that extend. It's very exciting for a one year old!

three words for you (if he doesn't already have them) Thomas the Train. Some items can be pricey, but they are worth it. My boys started getting them at that age they are now 5 & 6 and still enjoy them.

I agree with Stephanie: Thomas the Train. My son got the starter set right before he turned one. He will soon be two and he LOVES it. If you don't want to start with the track, they make a felt rug with tracks on it that he can use the trains on. He also loves those large lego blocks.

* Toy Cars, Trucks, Tractors, Airplane, Trains, etc.

* Ball Popper Machine - It's a Wal-mart for 19.77 or something like that

* Sand table/water table for backyard

* Kind of pricey - but maybe a semester or a few weeks of mommy and me classes such as Kindermusik (www.kindermusik.com) or classes at gymboree/little gym if they have one near you.

* Fingerpaint

* Playdough - (I know its really not for that age but you can watch him closely to make sure he doesn't eat it)

* BOOKS such as touch/feel type

Hope this helps :D

It is so easy to go overboard...for girls especially. So I would say that if you've already purchased things for your daughter, it might be a good idea to save some of them for a few months after Christmas for "treats" or a special day/reward. When kids get too many things at once they're overwhelmed. They don't really know what to do with any one thing and are usually more interested in the wrapping than the toy itself. Also, adults will no doubt get their feelings hurt if the kids don't just LOVE the toys they're given. So it's best, in my opinion only, to limit presents. The season doesn't have to be about Jesus unless you believe that, but it is certainly about the joy of being a family. The emotional gifts we give our children are sooooo much more important. That said I do have trouble myself limiting what I get my kids. We're trying to start out well by just having one special gift from Mom and Dad and only one more from Santa. They still get a stocking filled with little treats also. A friend of ours asks her kids to pick out a toy or two that they no longer play with, but is still in good condition to donate to another child. We're planning to try this too. Also, I'm encouraging my parents not to go overboard with their only grandchildren (I'm an only child). One or two things is plenty. Inevitably the kids will pick the least expensive and least anticipated gift to cling to anyway! As far as toys for boys goes...my son, also turning one, loves balls of all shapes and sizes, wheeles of anything (sister's toy shopping cart, trucks, strollers, any type of wheel). His favorite "toy" right now is a set of plastic coasters that we put out so that the sandstone ones we normally used wouldn't get broken or cause a smashed toe. He picks them up and drops them over and over again all over the house. Sorry this is so long...I'm writing for my own benefit as well. I need the reminder not to go crazy and broke trying to give my kids everything I think they'll love!!!

Little people toys are safe for that age & have a number of boy-type cars etc.., They also have sets that both children could play together.

I know it's fun to buy for your 1 year old, but honestly he won't remember this Christmas, so take advantage of the only time you won't have to buy him presents. I gave my son socks and a toybox for his first Christmas and he didn't know the difference.

Blocks, cars, puzzles, interactive books - things that move...

My son absolutely loved tractors at that age. You can buy some pretty cute ones that make noise. Also, my parents gave him a mini tool set with a hammar, screwdriver, etc, and he loved that as well. Just make sure you give it to him outside!

I agree with Julia, take advantage of the fact that he will just be excited to open gifts. He won't mind what the gift is so get him something practical, stuuf he needs. Maybe a giant play rug for his room, storage, bath stuff, clothes or shoes. Of course, I always feel like a boring mom when I tell people to get my kids clothes (they have so many toys) so books are always a good idea. There are so many activity books now, stuff with noise, wheels, flaps. I think every child should have more books than they do toys.

I only have one son he just turned 1 a couple of weeks ago and he seems to like anything that makes noise (yay). I do know that we went to Toys R Us and let him play with all sorts of things so we could get an idea of what he really liked that it seemed to help. The Little People play sets are always a good choice no choking hazards and the Mega Blocks are fun they really can't build anything quite yet but seem to have fun. We puchased the Mega Block set that came with a huge dump truck and our son loves to push it around all over the house and then there is always the John Deere tractor ride on toy it comes with animals and plays animal noises and Old MacDonald. I don't know if any of this helps but good luck.
A.

Hi, S.! Happy birthday to your lil' guy! I have two sons; one just turned four and the other will be three in December. It's sometimes difficult to come up with ideas for a younger children. You don't want to get all "baby" toys, but it's still a little early to figure out the little tot's interests will be!! I don't have any SPECIFIC toys in mind, but we went online to Discoverytoys.com and found the geographically closest representative for Discovery Toys. From there, I made an appointment for her to come over. We went through all kinds of really cool toys! Their toys are fun and functional as far as being educational. Also, when she came over, she brought two bags of toys and I was able to see which toys were the most motivating to each of my sons. I was able to see what toys would keep them engaged for a long time and which toys were interesting for only a few minutes until the "novelty" wore off. This way, we were able to do the "try before you buy" thing! The toys we ended up deciding to buy turned out be money well spent! I hate going to the store, buying something I think they would like, then they like it for two minutes, and it goes into the "Goodwill bin"! Take a look at the website, and see what you think. It's a little extra effort than just "stopping by the store on the way home", but, in my opinion, this was well worth it and much more fun!! Good luck on your "toy finding expedition"!

S.,
Balls are lots of fun. Bright colored and soft for little hands. Thomas the Train is great, but more for 18 months and up. I have 4 children, three boys and a girl and have since opened a children's store with tons of toys and clothing as well. We spend a lot of time searching for those perfect items that will be the one or two great gifts rather than the 200 that will get thrown away.

We have just gotten in a ton of wonderful award winning toys for toddlers and your son would love the steering wheel that has real car sounds and music with all kinds of fun noises as well as a rocket ship that is a lots of fun and all of the little guys love it. It says GROUND CONTROL READY FOR LIFT OFF...5..4..3..2..1 and then the bottom lights up and makes rocket noises. It has soft pieces and a little space ship that rolls out of it.

I agree with other moms that a small gift or lovie, board books and chunky cars have been my boys favorites. If you are interested in seeing what we have, I would love to meet you and any other moms who are intersted in great, educational, award winning toys, gifts and games.

Come by and see me at Sugarplum Dreams 19 Brees Blvd 78209. We are just across from Sunset Ridge Shopping center. ###-###-#### We donate 15% of all of our sales to children's charities in San Antonio.

They have the little tonka trucks that make noises when you push on them. They also have the little blocks then are peeka blocks and my little boys like them.