Favorite Things: Toys for Toddler Boys 2 and Under

Just in time for Christmas is Favorite Things: Toys for Little Buddies.  I know, I know.  I just posted about a gift giving philosophy that involves less stuff and more giving.  I am still in agreement with that idea, as I believe we can have a beautiful and joyful Christmas with less stuff, and more giving.  In fact, I think it provides for an opportunity to be much more thoughtful with our gift giving.

So, here we go.  How exciting!  Sometimes, buying a toy for your little buddy in the store is just too much fun to pass up.  Let's face it, there are just those times that call for fun gifts for our little buddies.  I know I have been in that spot quite a few times!  :)  But there are also great opportunities to be a thoughtful gift giver without paying full price or going to a brand name store.  Actually, so far this year, we have been doing most of our Christmas shopping in thrift stores, and it has been a great experience and quite surprising (I have found some amazing things secondhand!).  I am almost done shopping actually, can you believe it?  Cooper has been so blessed by gifts, special sales, thrift store finds, and little splurges in his first two years, and the toys we have accumulated (We have really been purposefull about not going overboard.) have provided literally hours of entertainment for us as a family.  When it comes down to it, it just doesn't matter where the toys come from.  It just doesn't.  They are little buddies.  They don't care.  Cooper has learned so much in being playful, and it has been a blast watching him use and enjoy his toys.  We don't forget how fortunate we are.

Anyhoo, I thought I would pass along some of our very favorite toys or special somethings that have been great for Cooper through his first two years.  Random, simple, old, new, newborn, toddler...have a peek!

Baby Einstein Exersaucer
Craigslist Find


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Fisher Price Little Superstar Sing Along Stage

Borrowed from a friend...used by Cooper in learning 

to stand and walk before he was 8 months old.

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Bee Bop Band

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Kid Sized Vacuum
Great practice.  Now he loves to help me vacuum for real.
Train 'em  young.  :)

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Dump Truck
Found second hand. Christmas present for this year.
He is going to flip out!

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Mega Bloks

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Piggy Bank


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Playdoh
I had totally forgotten how entertaining this was.


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Tupperware
Especially helpful in summer while playing in the kiddy pool.
It was also a make shift drum set when we needed it to be.

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Drumsticks


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  Train Set with Tracks

Brio set previously owned by the Hubbs as a child.

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Tools...Specifically Hammer, Screwdriver, and Drill
Found at garage sale for oober cheap by my parents.

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Karaoke Machine
My old one from college.

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Melissa and Doug Train


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African Drum
Souvenir from Auntie's trip to Africa.

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Spray Bottle
Dollar bin at Target.

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Cardboard Boxes
This is Super Cuper Cooper at 10 months old.  He walked before
turning 8 months old, and was a Super Hero just shortly thereafter.

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Hope this list makes you smile with memories of your own little buddy and get creative with gifts this year.  Don't be afraid to think outside the box and get resourceful when it comes to finding that special something for your little one.  Family members and thrift stores are GREAT resources!

Blessings and Happy Christmas Shopping!