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parents panel
Toys that under-threes won't get tired of - as recommended by real mums and dads
‘She has loved it from day one.’ Our Parents Panel share their best ever purchases.
AS PART OF TheJournal.ie’s weekly Family Magazine, we wanted to create a space for parents to share their views. A place where mums and dads could share their experiences, lessons learned, and even mistakes along the way.
When it comes to toys that keep your little one entertained, some can be worth their weight in gold for the peace that they bring, while others do nothing more than gather dust in the corner. This week as asked our panel what toys they’re glad they parted money with for.
What toys for under-threes were absolutely worth the money for you?
Here’s what they had to say…
A mini kitchen: The two biggest investments in our home are a good three-wheeled scooter and a wooden play kitchen, which my son Tymek loves. He has used his scooter every day since he got it at two years old and the kitchen has its place in the living room and is also played with a lot.
- Marta Lisiecka
A long-lasting food truck: For Clíodhna’s first birthday we got her the Fisher Price food truck. It is designed to be used from sitting to standing, which was perfect as Clíodhna didn’t start walking until 14 months. She has loved it from day one and it is played with on a daily basis. It is a great toy, very entertaining but excellent for developing minor motor skills, role playing and understanding of colors and numbers. Though not cheap at €79.49, it was still a great buy.
- Ríona Flood
Mega Bloks: Having worked in the toy industry for over 20 years, any toy that captures a child’s imagination is worth investing in. There have been a lot of great toys over the years, but the one that went down well in my house was from the Mega Bloks First Builders range. It’s a large bag of colourful chunky building bricks, suitable from one year upwards. The lovely bright colours capture the eye while learning hand-eye co-ordination skills with the bricks. Best buy ever.
- Denise Cumiskey
A Paw Patrol collection: It pains me to say it, but we have the whole crew from Paw Patrol and their vehicles. My one-year-old son is a big fan of Ryder and his team of pups, and although I initially didn’t want to get all the paraphernalia, I have to say he gets loads of time with each of the toys and hasn’t tired of playing with them.
- Kait Quinn
LEGO Duplo: It’s the only toy that’s worth having. It’s expensive but it lasts the test of time! All kids, age irrespective, love LEGO!
- Ross Boxshall
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