gifts for a 2 year old second-born

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

People are beginning to ask me what to get the boys (20 months and almost 4). I've put together a wishlist for DS1 with some educational toys and books and more "mature" toys (as opposed to the baby stuff).

I have 2 things on DS2's list. DS1 was given pretty much anything a boy could be given, so I feel like we have every toy out there, especially all of the fisher price/v-tech type of toys. I would like to find some different types of toys for him. Please give me some suggestions. Thanks!

[froggie83]

books, blocks, and other toy sets that are just his? i would think that a kid would like to get a toy thats not a hand me down from their sibling even if its similar to what they already got. (another option is to donate some of the unused toys and get similar toys for your ds2)

[ljs318]

I think this is a constant struggle when you have two, close in age, same sex, siblings. I have 2 girls 22 months apart. It's hard because my older DD constantly needs new stuff... clothes, shoes, bigger bikes and there is always one waiting for DD2. Now that they are a little older I'll ask for stuff that gets used up a lot for DD2... like new play doh, art supplies (Stickers, glitter glue, paper), new books. Sometimes she'll get a new stuffed animal or babydoll for just her. It's hard though.

[dunegirl]

drawing pad and crayons is all I can come up with at the moment.

[3andMe]

Dress-up clothes that are for sized for just for him and might pertain to his interests (we have fireman, cowboy, pirate, dinosaur, and doctor costumes that are more boy-oriented but I know my youngest would love an astronaut outfit to dress up in because he loves rockets), a toy truck or train or dinosaur just for him also. I know we have a boatload of toys and there are huge groups of animals and vehicles, but it's always nice for the younger one to have something to call his own, even though most of the toys are to be shared. My older two also had their own hobby horses, and my younger son got one of his own to gallop around on and join them, as well as a little cowboy hat. You might think that at 5 years old a hobby horse could just be retired and passed down to a younger brother, but they do plenty of playing all together this way.

I guess what I'm saying is don't be too quick to pass on single items from the older one to the younger one, even if you think they're being outgrown. Our younger one has gotten one of the same or a similar item as a present for many of the imaginative play items, and when they are not out all the time, they become a valuable commodity and very exciting to play with when they do come out of the closet or the back room.

[Suja]

If DS1's toys are mostly high tech, I'd go mostly low tech for DS2's toys. Lego Duplos and PlayMobil 1.2.3. are specifically for younger kids, and even if DS1 had some, you can always find new ones for DS2. Or try to find add-ons for existing toys, to make them more fun/exciting, and to change the way they play with the toys. For instance, if your DS1 has lots of toy cars, then get something like these for DS2:

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Car-Wash-...dp/B0009S5TYU/
http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toys-Seri...dp/B0001VV1GK/

Stacking/sorting types of toys can be used for a really long time:
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-5...dp/B0000658L5/

And so can pattern blocks:
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-B...dp/B00005O63Q/

And my DD (2 1/2 years old) loves this, and while she isn't using it the way it is intended, she will grow into it:
http://www.amazon.com/MindWare-44204...dp/B0037Z8DEK/ (And something like this, both kids should be able to play with)

[3andMe]

If DS1's toys are mostly high tech, I'd go mostly low tech for DS2's toys. Lego Duplos and PlayMobil 1.2.3. are specifically for younger kids, and even if DS1 had some, you can always find new ones for DS2. Or try to find add-ons for existing toys, to make them more fun/exciting, and to change the way they play with the toys. For instance, if your DS1 has lots of toy cars, then get something like these for DS2:

And my DD (2 1/2 years old) loves this, and while she isn't using it the way it is intended, she will grow into it:
http://www.amazon.com/MindWare-44204...dp/B0037Z8DEK/ (And something like this, both kids should be able to play with)

Yes, I will also agree with those and the similar Block Buddies. My older kids like following the directions and building the actual figures with them, and my younger one just likes stacking them and sometimes knocking them over. I also saw when I followed the link, this other toy:

http://www.amazon.com/Educational-In...ref=pd_sim_t_6

Which my younger son loves playing with on his own, and my older ones like to follow the pattern cards and do the included designs. All three of them can play together with it.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

Dress-up clothes that are for sized for just for him and might pertain to his interests (we have fireman, cowboy, pirate, dinosaur, and doctor costumes that are more boy-oriented but I know my youngest would love an astronaut outfit to dress up in because he loves rockets), a toy truck or train or dinosaur just for him also. I know we have a boatload of toys and there are huge groups of animals and vehicles, but it's always nice for the younger one to have something to call his own, even though most of the toys are to be shared. My older two also had their own hobby horses, and my younger son got one of his own to gallop around on and join them, as well as a little cowboy hat. You might think that at 5 years old a hobby horse could just be retired and passed down to a younger brother, but they do plenty of playing all together this way.

I guess what I'm saying is don't be too quick to pass on single items from the older one to the younger one, even if you think they're being outgrown. Our younger one has gotten one of the same or a similar item as a present for many of the imaginative play items, and when they are not out all the time, they become a valuable commodity and very exciting to play with when they do come out of the closet or the back room.

thanks. a truck or animal/dino would be good. i feel like DS1 does not have too many imaginative toys. It's hard to get grandparents to buy those types of toys, and that where most toys come from.The ones he does have, he rarely plays with, and DS2 does play with them.

drawing pad and crayons is all I can come up with at the moment.

a drawing pad that can be all his own is a good idea. I have about a million crayons. I have huge boxes leftover from when I taught. I bought all my materials and I brought them home with me (with the intention of returning)

books, blocks, and other toy sets that are just his? i would think that a kid would like to get a toy thats not a hand me down from their sibling even if its similar to what they already got. (another option is to donate some of the unused toys and get similar toys for your ds2)

I do wonder if he knows what is his and what is his brother's at this age. We are big into sharing everything. I know he knows that the ride-on fire engine is his and the train is michael's. I imagine this will only get harder as he gets older!

Oh, and we have too many books, too! I never thought I would say there is a such thing, but there is! His favorite are the vehicle ones, and DS1 was obsessed with vehicles at this age, so we have a ton of those.

If DS1's toys are mostly high tech, I'd go mostly low tech for DS2's toys. Lego Duplos and PlayMobil 1.2.3. are specifically for younger kids, and even if DS1 had some, you can always find new ones for DS2. Or try to find add-ons for existing toys, to make them more fun/exciting, and to change the way they play with the toys. For instance, if your DS1 has lots of toy cars, then get something like these for DS2:

http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Car-Wash-...dp/B0009S5TYU/
http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toys-Seri...dp/B0001VV1GK/

Stacking/sorting types of toys can be used for a really long time:
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-5...dp/B0000658L5/

And so can pattern blocks:
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-B...dp/B00005O63Q/

And my DD (2 1/2 years old) loves this, and while she isn't using it the way it is intended, she will grow into it:
http://www.amazon.com/MindWare-44204...dp/B0037Z8DEK/ (And something like this, both kids should be able to play with)

Thanks for those suggestions. I actually have some of those (or similar) on DS1's wishlist, but maybe I'll move some to Anthony's since his has only 3 things. I never thought of duplex. I am don't have any playmobil, but I am hoping DS will get one for his bday, but I will look to see if there are any with some that don't have such small pieces (like the ones I looked at for DS1)

Yes, I will also agree with those and the similar Block Buddies. My older kids like following the directions and building the actual figures with them, and my younger one just likes stacking them and sometimes knocking them over. I also saw when I followed the link, this other toy:

http://www.amazon.com/Educational-In...ref=pd_sim_t_6

I love that!! We have a couple of drills here, and DS2 likes to play with them. I'm definitely adding that.

Which my younger son loves playing with on his own, and my older ones like to follow the pattern cards and do the included designs. All three of them can play together with it.

[MommyShannon]

Aqua doodles are great for that age. DD2 is 2.5 and loves our toy kitchen and doll houses. DS liked them at that age too.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

Aqua doodles are great for that age. DD2 is 2.5 and loves our toy kitchen and doll houses. DS liked them at that age too.

those are great ideas! we have a toy kitchen, and both my boys play with it on a daily basis. I'm gonna search for some gender neutral doll houses. I know DS1 would love it, but I could get it for DS2

[babykenny]

Puzzles, something personalized (so later he will know for sure it wasn't a hand me down), books to his interests....I loved the dress up clothes idea...

[MommyShannon]

I agree with dress up clothes too. The best way to get those will be right after Halloween when they are 50-75% off at Walmart. We buy all different sized ones and the kids don't really care. We have tons that cost just a few bucks after Halloween.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

Puzzles, something personalized (so later he will know for sure it wasn't a hand me down), books to his interests....I loved the dress up clothes idea...

something personalized is a great idea!! I recently saw puzzles with kids' names.

Do I have the only kids who don't like dress up?? DS1's interests are not typical, so maybe DS2 will like it one day!

[Suja]

I had to post this, because I just gave this toy to Mira, and she is having SO much fun with it. I think this is one that both your kids will enjoy.

http://www.amazon.com/Play-Doh-Cooki.../dp/B0043WCH3Y

She isn't particularly interested in making all the shapes, but keeps feeding Cookie Monster the "noodles" she makes. For hours together.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

I had to post this, because I just gave this toy to Mira, and she is having SO much fun with it. I think this is one that both your kids will enjoy.

http://www.amazon.com/Play-Doh-Cooki.../dp/B0043WCH3Y

She isn't particularly interested in making all the shapes, but keeps feeding Cookie Monster the "noodles" she makes. For hours together.

Thanks Suja!! I have actually eyed this a few times. It was even on clearance at a supermarket, but I didn't get it. DS1 loves play-doh and DS2 is just getting into it. They both love sesame street characters. I think I'll add that to the list.