PLEASE!!!! Help me...

[sexysisam]

Help me pick out the perfect wooden, non-battery toy for my 2 year old.

I know he would love an erector set, but I can't find one that would even be safe for him - he still puts stuff in his mouth and I just want him to be able to explore without me saying "No don't do that" every second.

He loves turning on lights, fitting things together, plugging things in (yikes!), pushing buttons, flipping switches (like a surge protector switch that is hooked to a computer). Basically, he likes to have a result when he flips a switch. My sister suggested when he moves the lever/flips the switch to have something MOVE instead of light up or make noise, but I was even thinking a noise would be okay if it was a bell or a ding, etc...just not anything mechanical sounding.

I know there are a bazillion plastic battery toys out there that would fit the bill, but I'm really looking to buy a hardy wood toy. We make a lot of the boy's toys, so if there is something we could make shout it out.

Thanks.

[StrawberryFields]

My 2 and 4 year old like their Tinker Toys. I just kept the bag of really small pieces out of the set. They aren't necessary and I will add them back in when I trust dd not to put them in her mouth. So they build all sorts of things just using the sticks and the rounds.

[mamadelbosque]

I know you asked for wood, but what about duplos? DS1 has had duplos for a good year or two now (just turned 3) and he's always loved them.

If your dead set against plastic, what about lincoln logs?

[PlayaMama]

my dd has spent HOURS playing with this one

http://www.nova68.com/Merchant2/merc...egory_Code=502

if the link doesn't work, you can google "konrad keller family van"

she calls them her peoples and drives them everywhere and loads and unloads the people all day long.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

I know you asked for wood, but what about duplos? DS1 has had duplos for a good year or two now (just turned 3) and he's always loved them.

If your dead set against plastic, what about lincoln logs?

Oh my yes I agree! Our Duplos get played with for hours a day, every single day!! They are a miracle toy!!

[littlemizflava]

wooden train set they have parts that can make noise or a cause and effect. there is many sets out there that can be used together since they are universal fit.

[butterfly_mommy]

Originally Posted by littlemizflava

wooden train set they have parts that can make noise or a cause and effect. there is many sets out there that can be used together since they are universal fit.

Yes to this. My DS will play with his trains all day long. He loves to put the track together and has been playing with his trains since he was about 14 mons or so and is still crazy for them at 25 months.

[34me]

I just suggested automoblox ( www.automoblox.com ) on another thread. We love the minis but the regular size would probably work for you.

[SkyMomma]

Originally Posted by StrawberryFields

My 2 and 4 year old like their Tinker Toys. I just kept the bag of really small pieces out of the set. They aren't necessary and I will add them back in when I trust dd not to put them in her mouth. So they build all sorts of things just using the sticks and the rounds.

Yes! Tinker-toys! Look for the all wood sets, some of the current sets use plastic dowels rather than wood, remove the really small parts. My DS1 used these from age 2 on - they were microphone stands, windmills, etc. DS2 (18mos) loves them - he just likes to stick the dowels in the little holes.

[Just1More]

A lock box.

If you are making it, it would be much cheaper. Or you could probably find one cheaper...this one is horribly expensive...
http://www.amazon.com/TAG-Lock-Box-M...678916&sr=8-11

[Just1More]

Or a jack in the box (metal) or music box (wooden).

Or a top...or several so they can battle. We had some when I was little that were wooden and you had to wrap a string around them. Granted, you'd have to do it over and over. Or a gyroscope.

[*Erin*]

another vote for tinkertoys-we have the schylling brand version of them, they are a bit larger scale than the tinkertoy brand. my 2 yr old LOVES them.

[gagin37]

Originally Posted by Just1More

A lock box.

If you are making it, it would be much cheaper. Or you could probably find one cheaper...this one is horribly expensive...
http://www.amazon.com/TAG-Lock-Box-M...678916&sr=8-11

I was going to suggest this http://www.melissaanddoug.com/dyn_prod.php?p=3785 which is a similar and a lot cheaper.

[sexysisam]

THANK YOU!!! for all the replies. I'm not totally against plastic - we have the Mega Block wagon, Duplo farm, and legos, etc. I was just really wanting something manipulative for my figure-outer boy.

I read some pretty bad reviews on amazon.com for the "classic" tinker toys that said they weren't as hardy and just broke all the time. I'll have to check out the schylling brand.

Playmama - are those people in the van small enough to be swallowed? How do they compare in size to the vintage little people? He loves those but puts them in his mouth and that scares me because they are so small. I think he would totally love that van.

Just1more - I love the idea of the lock box. I think I saw it on the Montessori Services website...maybe it's cheaper there.

gagin37 - that flippy thing is really cool and I think I could probably make one on my scroll saw. I'll have to ask my husband to look at it and see if he can help me figure out how to make it.

Thanks for all the replies, again. It definitely got the wheel turning.

[yasinsmama]

Originally Posted by 34me

I just suggested automoblox ( www.automoblox.com ) on another thread. We love the minis but the regular size would probably work for you.

We got one of these for DS (2 years old) and I put it up until later. The one he has, the wheels come off (to put on other cars), and he can still choke on them. DH did have fun playing with it though.

[sexysisam]

Oh my gosh. I just looked closer at that latches board. I think that's the ticket. He would go NUTS over that with all the different latches.

I wonder how hard it would be to line up all the stuff and make it myself....

Hmm. I won't sleep for like a week now.

[yasinsmama]

Originally Posted by sexysisam

Oh my gosh. I just looked closer at that latches board. I think that's the ticket. He would go NUTS over that with all the different latches.

I wonder how hard it would be to line up all the stuff and make it myself....

Hmm. I won't sleep for like a week now.

I think I want one too!!

[sweetcheeks]

That latch board is awesome. Our playgroup has one and DS2 (almost 2) absolutely loves it. He's a lot like the OP's boy . . . a "figure it out" kind of toddler. The latch board keeps him sitting in one place for a long time, which is not an easy task with that boy! LOL!