Favorite non-plastic toys for a young toddler

[AnnaBees Mama]

DD is 8.5 mo and we're always on the lookout for interesting, well-made toys to capture her interest. What have been your family's favorite toys for the 9 month-18 month age group?

[crunchy_mommy]

DS has never really been into toys, the only thing I can think of that he occasionally played with was his shape sorter (DS had one like this, though ours was not M&D). Oh and his grill set and some wooden bowls and tiny metal pots & pans. Sadly, I don't think anything else has held his interest for more than a day or two.

[Blessed1]

My little is into books big time right now! She has LOVED books from about 10months old. 

She also LOVES these things:

Radio Flyer classic walker : (the price is pretty steep right now, however in June we bought it for $59 through amazon.com)

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy

Wooden activity cube

And right now at 13months of age she is starting to get into a shape sorter cube.

[dancingflower]

IQ baby zoom zoom vehicles:
http://www.amazon.com/IQ-Baby-Zoom-Vehicles/dp/B000OZFP56
DS is 17 mo now and got these as a birthday present. They have been his favorites since about 13 mo. I love them because the figures and peek a boo windows have a LOT of vocabulary to be learned. He would come and show, cat, dog, flower. Now he talks those by himself when handling the trucks. He loves it because they are bulky in his hand and very light . He pushes and they go steady.

Well, DS is a particular case, appart from real kitchen stuff and water, he wont play with anything that does not have wheels. I have tryed puzzes with emergency vehicles figures, he got a truck shape sorter as a present... But the wheels, the wheels.

He likes to push tape rolls (masking tape, duct tape, packing tape) its a kind of ready set go game.

These are great too, Automoblox mini.
http://www.amazon.com/Automoblox-Mini-S9-T9-3-Pack/dp/B0010E6JLO
Oh, you will want to play with them too. So smooth, they ride far and preciselly. And I think it will grow with DS when he has the skills to put it appart and back. Even the tires can be changed.

Books are also loved by him. Only he wont play by himself (or not yet). I caught him here and there oppening them and saying words or making up words but most of his enjoyment of books is in the company of an adult. Every person who comes over receives a book in his hands brought by DS.

Push toys or push and ride toys. Unfortunatelly we have a couple of horrid plastic mosters (presents again) that he loves and spends a lot of time with. We introduced a doll (made by grandma for my "baby girl") to be put in his toy stroller. He hugs and kisses her. He Rocks her after nursing her on my chest.

I have my theory that the obsession with wheels is not a hard wired gender preference. Wheels and vehicles can be pretty fascinating to watch as a baby is just learning to be mobile himself. But it gets reinforced to boys as they are given so many cars as presents. It was out of me and DS control.