Looking for a train set for 2.5 y.o DS

[mom2evan]

I know it's early to be thinking about Christmas, : but my SIL has asked about presents for DS, so we got to talking about train sets. SIL and my brother want to buy one for DS, and I know he would love it, but there are so many out there... how do we choose?

I'd appreciate any suggestions or links from mamas with train-crazy DCs! I can say, with certainty, that we don't want a Thomas train set... we'd like to stay away from the licensed character craze.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

[aprons_and_acorns]

My son has GeoTrax from Fisher-Price. I am usually more into the natural/wooden, battery-free toys, but MIL started him on collecting GeoTrax and I think they are wonderful. The start up set is $40 and includes two working trains stops that do different things, a bridge, a train with some chunky cargo and a remote controller, like a real train set. The start-up set is enough to feel like a real train set, but of course there are endless amounts of accessories. The trains run on batteries but can also be push-powered no problem. And they are very sturdy, which is great because ds is notoriously hard on his belongings.

Ds LOVES his train set, and since MIL gives him a new piece for every occasion, he is beginning to have quite a collection. It has been great for helping him develop his fine-motor skills (putting the tracks together) and for his awareness of cause and effect. It also is a fun family activity, because dh is always trying to figure out new layouts. When he comes up with a particularly good one, he takes a picture of it

[lilyka]

we avoud most characters but ther eis just something about the thomas trains that are appealing to kids.

I recommend cheap tracks as they are almost all compatable. Just look for ones that are brio/thomas compatible. brio and toys-r-us have generic trains that work ith most wooden tracks. the toys are us tracks are decent quality and have some fun peices. the Ikea ones are good too. I have basic ones from target and they are also good. we got them used ad they have held up well and are compatible with our tracks from toys r us as well as our thomas trains.

[newmommy]

Here is the one we are getting DS for Christmas.

[Squeakyneedle]

I second the recommendation for wooden sets, regardless of brand. We have a (I think Fisher Price?) plastic set, and while it's fun, the tracks are really hard to snap together. And yet they still seem to come apart easily while playing! : Then we have a generic wooden set (SIL bought at Target?) that is great...so easy for the kids to put together and they have a lot of fun with it. They play with it way more than the plastic set...The little cars have the magnetic connections so those are easy too. And it's expandable with more pieces because it's compatible with other brands.

I love wood toys!

[Mavis]

I third the wooden train set . Last year we got my son one from Target. Today I saw a nice one (in Target) that comes with its own storage container

[Mama Dragon]

Originally Posted by newmommy

Here is the one we are getting DS for Christmas.

Us too, as well as a table to put his (generic) wooden set and Thomas trains on. He's a train snob, but doesn't care about the track

[alaska]

we got this for ds and dd for Xmas - it was only $138 at our local store...
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1

[jamsmama]

We're getting this one for our son. Only $89.99 and their standard shipping is $7.95 all of the time, but can be more if the item is large. F.Y.I........beware looking around on this website.........it could get addictive! They have lots of great wooden toys, waldorf dolls, HABA toys, etc. They are a surplus (closeouts) company for kids stuff, clothing, toys, lots of books, baby gear, and much more.
http://www.kidsurplus.com/lig2371.html


BTW, this site has more sets if you don't like this one. Look in the left column under Toys/Preschool toys