Please post your reviews of toys/equipment you have loved/hated

[SnowBirdie]

Please tell us what toys/equipment you have loved, hated, thought was dangerous, and if you can add a link that is nice too. thanks so much!:)

[Twingles]

This is easy. The very best gift I received at my baby shower was the Ocean Wonders Aquarium cradle swing.http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kw=cradle%20swing
I could put one of the twins in that and they were content and would sleep for hours, it was so wonderful we had to go out and buy another one. We even took them apart and packed them 500+ miles to the beach when they were 1. I would recommend these to anyone, we definately got our use and $$ out of them and they used them until they were over 2yrs.

[Sofa King]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4781783.stm

This is a WARNING!!! Against those rubber yo yo type stretchy balls, etc with a long stretchy string. Our daycare/schools have banned them as there have been several incidents of near strangulation, and I believe they are against the law now in England. They are very popular because they are inexpensive and appear as harmless fun, but the rubbery stretchy substance sticks to itself, so if the child plays with it and it wraps around their (or someone else's) neck, it's VERY difficult to get off.

[Sofa King]

Another WARNING!!! Against Magnetix toys!!

http://www.playlibrary.com/2006/03/20/toy-warning-magnetix/

Not only are the small pieces a choking hazard, but these are more dangerous than that. If two of the strong magnets are swallowed, they can join together inside the body......UGH This is just horrible!

Even Kebs had a scare with these ! Get rid of them...don't buy them. It's SOOOO not worth it!

[Iggy]

Equipment I loved: The double Snap-n-Go stroller. The greatest invention EVER. It's a frame that you put the carseats on, so you don't have to take your babies out of their seats to put them in a stroller. Fabulous. Easy to set up and take down, lightweight, inexpensive (I got one from another twin mom for $40 and resold it when I was done with it), and folds up small enough to fit in the trunk of our 2-door Chevy Cavalier with room to spare. Loved it. I miss that stroller.

[gypsymom]

Another WARNING!!! Against Magnetix toys!!

http://www.playlibrary.com/2006/03/20/toy-warning-magnetix/

Not only are the small pieces a choking hazard, but these are more dangerous than that. If two of the strong magnets are swallowed, they can join together inside the body......UGH This is just horrible!

Even Kebs had a scare with these ! Get rid of them...don't buy them. It's SOOOO not worth it!

That is awful. Just thinking about that makes me feel sick...

[SnowBirdie]

perfect, everyone! those are great posts, and thanks for the warnings, too! keep 'em coming !:clap :clap :clap

[Twintastic]

I am up to this point in submissions

[Master~Debator]

TOYS - 0-6 Months

Toys for this age are primarily for looking, listening, sucking or feeling. Between 0-2 months infants enjoy seeing (visual focus) and hearing (localizing sound) interesting things. From 2-6 months there is a growing interest in touching, shaking, holding, turning, batting, mouthing, kicking, and tasting objects. Infants like to see human face features (especially the eyes), simple designs, bright primary colors, clear lines, bull's eye patterns and high contrast. They are easily entertained by mobiles, other hanging objects, wind up action or their own activity.

Toys for watching should be suspended only 8-14 inches (200-160 mm) from the infant's eyes and angled toward her eyes, then moved up out of reach when she can reach them. The toys for watching are much more appealing, especially if they move slowly and make a soft musical noise. Be careful that the noise is not too sudden and loud. Infants also enjoy variety, and they enjoy producing effects on toys by activities of their their own. Remember that all 'holding' toys should be easy to grasp and light in weight.

Mouthable toys should have all safety features recommended for infants, such as:

No small parts
No sharp edges or points
No brittle plastic
No glass
No long strings
No electrical pans
No pans which would entrap hands, fingers, toes
And made from non toxic material

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

6 to 8 weeks

~Simple rattles.
~Teethers.
~Sturdy and light cloth toys.
~Squeeze toys.
~Suspended Toys

About 4 months onwards


MANIPULATIVE/ACTIVITY

~Crib gyms (children who can push up on hands and knees can strangle on crib gyms - be sure to remove crib gym from crib or playpen at this time)
~Keys on rings, Discs
~Toys on suction cups

Construction Type Toys
~Soft blocks

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

Dolls
~Rag dolls with molded hair
~Soft bodied dolls or soft baby dolls

Stuffed Toys
~Grab-on soft toys
~Small plush toys

Puppets
~Hand puppets (soft, held and moved by adults).

ROLE-PLAY

~Mirrors - unbreakable and large (peak interest in mirrors is from 4-6 months) fastened to playpen, crib or wall.

GENERAL

Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)

~Music boxes
~Tapes and CDs with gentle rythms, or lullabies
~Books (may enjoy listening to stories and looking at bright pictures)


TOYS NOT SUITED TO AGE GROUP
~Specific Skill Development Toys
~Sand and Water Play Toys
~Play Scenes and small figures
~Projectile Toys
~Musical Instruments
~Transportation Toys
~Games
~Art and Craft Materials
~Lacing, Stringing, Dressing Toys

[Master~Debator]

TOYS - 7-12 months

Infants at this stage begin to show an interest in more extensive exploration of toys. They like to poke, bite, shake, drop, bang, throw, empty and fill, open and shut and insert one thing into the other. By 10-12 months begin to show mastery of objects and enjoy exploring. They find entertainment in fitting one object into another, opening and closing boxes etc. stacking, pushing cars and balls, turning things, pouring things out of containers, putting in and taking out and pressing buttons and levers. They show an interest in appearing and disappearing objects, containers and operating toys with simple mechanisms.


ACTIVE PLAY

~Push and Pull Toys (without rods)

Outdoor or Gym Equipment
~Infant swings (with adult supervision).
~Soft low climbing platform for crawlers.

Sporty Toys
~Chime balls
~Action balls
~Transparent balls
~Flutter balls

(All balls sould be at least 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) in diameter. If any object appears to fit easily in the child's mouth, do not allow it for play)

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Construction Toys
~Soft blocks
~Round edged wooden blocks
~Rubber blocks

Puzzles - 10 months +
Crib and playpen puzzles in bright colors and 2-3 pieces (lightweight)

Manipulative Toys (Sand and Water)
~Activity boxes for bath time
~Simple squeaky bath tub toys
~Floating bath time books
~Stacking ring cones
~Containers with objects (to empty and fill)
~Squeaky squeeze toys
~Teethers
~Tight sturdy cloth toys
~Keys on rings.
~Cubes and activity boxes
~Easy to operate pop-up boxes

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

Dolls
~Rag dolls with molded hair
~Soft bodied dolls or soft baby dolls

Stuffed Toys
~Big soft toys (not large)
~Grab-on soft toys
~Small plush toys

Puppets
~Hand puppets (soft, held and moved by adults)

Role Play Materials
~Wall-mounted mirrors (placed low)

Transport Toys
~One piece push cars

CREATIVE PLAY

Arts & Crafts - 12 months and up
~Large crayon (non toxic)
~Large paper.

Musical Instruments
Wooden or rubber blocks that rattle

GENERAL

Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)
~Music boxes
~Tapes and CDs with gentle rythms, or lullabies
~Books (small cardboard books, cloth or plastic)

TOYS NOT SUITED TO AGE GROUP
~Specific Skill Development Toys
~Ride on toys
~Pattern making toys
~Play Scenes and small figures
~Projectile Toys
~Musical Instruments
~Transportation Toys
~Games
~Lacing, Stringing, Dressing Toys

[Twintastic]

The things that has helped us the most is having 2 bouncy seats. Since my girls had reflux this helped keep them upright after eating.

I only bought one swing as only one of mine enjoyed being in it. I got a portable one that took up less space.

I definitely had 2 high chairs and got the kind that could fold up.

The bumbo seats worked for us because we could incorperate it into our physical therapy sessions.

[Sizzle Muffin]

Loved:

1. Fisher Price Intellitainer. This exersaucer cost me $64.99 on sale at Walmart, regular price was listed at $99.99. It is great! Seat slides back and forth, so baby can play with all things and swivels 360 degrees.
Promotes learning such as number counting, ABC's, Colors, Telling time, Nursery Rhyme sing along, etc

There are two settings. I find one setting is more geared toward younger babies. The nursery rhymes are sung, etc and the other setting is for older babies, nursery rhymes are spoken and baby can follow along in the plastic book etc.

We used it at 4 months - current. Weight restriction is 25lbs. Seat adjusts to 3 heights. Fabric of seat is machine washable.

More detailed review by me: http://www.epinions.com/content_305720692356


2. Jolly Jumper Airflow Bumper Pads. These were $19.99 each at Walmart. Reduces SIDS, machine washable. They are 'mesh type' and breathable. They had enough padding to prevent

bonks on the head etc. http://www.babyproofingplus.com/item5253.htm

3. Fisher Price Miracles & Milestones Playful Puppy Gym. I'm getting lazy, my review can be read at:

http://www.epinions.com/content_306095754884

4. Over the shoulder baby holder sling. Review can be read here --> http://www.epinions.com/content_305358278276

5. SwaddleMe Blankets by Kiddopotamus . Review can be read here --> http://www.epinions.com/content_305738124932

6. 4. Avent Isis Breast Pump. Review can be read here --> http://www.epinions.com/content_305243917956

7. Fisher Price Flutterbye Dreams Lullaby Birdie Mobile. Loved it, comes with remote control. Birth - 5 months

8. Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Mobile. Loved it, comes with remote control. Birth-5months after 5 months can be converted to a "night light". Sits on a table (end table, dresser) and projects light shapes onto the wall and ceiling.


Hated:

1. Safety 1st Double Stroller. Should be RECALLED. My review is here --> http://www.epinions.com/content_305202237060

2. Safety 1st space saver fold up infant bathtub. The frigging thing leaks so bad! My review here --> http://www.epinions.com/content_305241886340

3. Infantino Baby Carrier. Review can be read here --> http://www.epinions.com/content_305219735172