Would it make me irresponsible...

[AFWife]

to buy my 18mo some large-ish marbles or something to play with (supervised of course)?

He LOVES to pour things...this translates into water all over the living room (he does the "water" sign and will take sips while I'm watching and then pour it all over if I look away or step out of arms reach) or food all over the floor (just now he was pouring cereal from one cup to another)

So, in my mind, something like marbles would make sense. It would make a fun noise (huge plus), wouldn't get ground into the carpet, and would be easy to supervise.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Depends. Is he the type of child who puts EVERYTHING in his mouth?

For example.

I would have NEVER considered this for charlie until he was atleast 2. The kid would eat LINT off the floor. Whatever he found, it went in his mouth. He is still like this, just not as severly anymore.

Matthew has never been a "things in mouth" kinda kid, so I might consider it.

So if your son is like my Matthew, then youll probably be ok, as long as you dont leave him unattended.

[oliver's*mom]

I agree that it depends on your child and whether he's the type to try and eat marbles. And of course, supervision will be the real safeguard. I do think that our children are often ready for toys and activities beyond the "recommended age." If you think he would enjoy the large marbles and supervise him when he plays with them, I say go for it.

[peainthepod]

It's not a choice I would make, but that doesn't mean it's irresponsible. If you're comfortable with it and will be carefully supervising, why not?

[Geist]

No, I wouldn't say it's irresponsible. You know your child best. Is he the kind that constantly puts small things in his mouth? If so, then the marbles are probably a bad idea. If he doesn't, then let him have at it, with appropriate supervision, of course.

[crunchy_mommy]

Unless he NEVER EVER puts anything in his mouth, I would lean toward something less...round & slippery. I think even *I* might choke on a marble if I put it in my mouth. Something like small stones (would be fun to collect with him too!) have a slightly rougher texture & some shape to them so I feel like even though they are the same size, they would theoretically be safer. I don't really prohibit choking-size items for my 20-mo but I wouldn't do marbles (and I still cut up grapes lol).

[starling&diesel]

Wearing both my paramedic hat and mama hat with this reply ...

Depends on what large-ish means.
Our local health unit suggest that anything that can fit through a toilet roll is a choking hazard. Having said that, my DD is very fond of small, organizable things and has many. She's not a kid who I'd worry about, in terms of choking on small objects. She's not the type to put stuff into her mouth.

HOWEVER ... marbles are extra tempting to put in the mouth. They're cool, smooth, and fun to roll around over your teeth and worry with your tongue. And they are the absolute perfect shape to lodge fatally into your child's throat.
And they're a nasty tripping hazard too, especially for grandparents!
And I would be concerned with having them around with visiting children. "Under supervision" is one thing, but there are always stray toys that get lost in the couch cushions and are found by curious little ones who might immediately pop them into their mouths.

What about dry lentils? Cheap, fun to pour, would make a satisfying sound, easy to sweep or vaccum and not a problem, should he ingest one here or there. Or twig coins? Those are very cool! Or flatter, wide-ish beads?

Having said all of the above, I will add that my child is the type who loves to wrap things around her throat, and so that kind of choking is our safety consideration in this house. We were given a felt bird on a yarn necklace the other day, and I immediately cut off the string. She has to ask for the string for her wooden beads. That sort of thing.
So, it really depends on the kid.

ETA: love the rock idea crunchy_mommy mentioned ... or what about seashells?

[swd12422]

I was going to suggest dry beans or rocks, too. Maybe different sizes, like some lentils, some small beans, some kidney beans... I'm not sure I'd do huge beans like limas for the same choking-hazard reason.

Marbles just seem to be so slippery and easy to glide down into the throat, whereas a rock has rougher surfaces and won't get slimy.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I was going to suggest beans or rice. You could keep a bunch in a rubbermaid tub and give him some cups and such to pay with in it. Almost like a sand or water table, but with beans or rice.

[Belia]

Or maybe use dried pasta?

You may want to ask over on the Montessori board- I know my son's M classroom has a bunch of different materials for pouring.

I don't think its irresponsible to use marbles, but I wouldn't do it. And my kid's not terribly impulsive.

[Abraisme]

I'm another one that thinks it depends on the child. My DS stopped putting non-food items in his mouth by 10-11mo, by 18mo I would have totally trusted him with marbles. However, I have seen many, many other kids that put everything in their mouths until 2+.

[sapphire_chan]

Whatever you get, I highly recommend hitting the hardward store and getting one of the huge trays (4'x4') that they sell for putting under washing machines. Then it won't matter about spilling.

[EdnaMarie]

Re: beans: some dried beans can be poisonous if ingested.

Uneven rocks which do not have any heavy metals in them (because those get on hands, which later go in mouths) are probably better.

Or you could go outdoors and do the pouring thing out there. Rain pants, galoshes, raincoat, dirt... WHEEEE!

[Hedgehog Mtn]

My 2 most recent children to hit that age were totally fine with marbles and I felt comfortable with marbles. My youngest puts every.single.thing. in his mouth and I doubt I will feel the same when he arrives at that age. You know your child best.

[fruitfulmomma]

With regards to the beans - I let my daughter play with some and my husband found one stuck up her nose last night.

ETA: She is 22 months.