Looking for a "key toy" recommendation

[hrsmom]

My dd (just over age 2) is fascinated with keys. She loves to pretend to check the p.o. boxes at the post office, and would play with the door knobs more at home if she could reach them. I'd love to get her something where she can practice using keys. Are there good toys, or a nice box that has a key, or any ideas out there? So far all I can find are toy keys, that don't have locks or anything associated with them!

[reader18]

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-D...5092129&sr=8-1

What about something like this? We've seen these at the library and all my kids from 6 yo to 1 yo loved it. They have a couple different versions.

[hrsmom]

Those look fun! I think I've seen those somewhere.... thank you for the link!

[Nicole730]

Out and about today I saw a Melissa and Doug play mailbox with a key! Maybe look for that?

[hrsmom]

oh, that would be cool!!!!

[kdtmom2be]

There is a shape-sorter toy that you need keys to open the doors to get the shapes back out... The "shapes" are all farm animals I think and the keys have the same shapes. Not sure who makes it but I think fisher price?

[ellemenope]

http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-Ambi...5103047&sr=8-1

This is our favorite. It is plastic but very well made. The key fits in tight. It is easy to turn. It clicks real nice. And, it is a really nice shape sorter. DD (23 months) still loves it.

It is called the Ambi Lock and is made by Schylling. (In case my link does not work. It is my first time doing one.)

It is just a really well made thought out toy. We got ours at a one of those really nice toy stores.

[junipervt]

Originally Posted by Nicole730

Out and about today I saw a Melissa and Doug play mailbox with a key! Maybe look for that?

we have this & DD (25m) loves it

[crunchy_mommy]

If you wanted to go a simpler route, get a board (or a box or whatever) and buy a bunch of different locks from the hardware store & install them in the board. My DS isn't interested in plastic/imitation so I'm thinking of doing something like that with latches but he is obsessed with keys as well so maybe I'll add some locks to our latch board!!

[elleystar]

Originally Posted by reader18

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-D...5092129&sr=8-1

What about something like this? We've seen these at the library and all my kids from 6 yo to 1 yo loved it. They have a couple different versions.

We got that latches board for DS for Christmas and it was a huge hit. And whenever other kids come to our house to play, they are instantly drawn to it.