I was struggling a lot to find toys that will keep kids engaged for some time. After trying a lot of toys, I can now clearly say which toys work best to keep a small kid engaged. Let me start the list:
Electric rotating crib toy with different shaped creatures. The one I got had sea creatures like fish, crab, seahorse etc. There is a huge list of musical tones that play one after the other. I had got this gift for my 6 month old baby. And it worked wonders even when the kid was 3 years old. It immediately draws attention and makes them stop crying. So many different musics always makes them wait for whats next.
In our childhood, our parents were probably using something very similar that is rotated mechanically abolve baby’s cot. Same overall idea.
You buy one if you are struggling with options to soothe crying baby.
Musical/Dancing Cactus: This is now all over the internet. This is also battery operated or rechargeable. It has many inbuild musical tones, songs etc. Also it mimics your voice in a funny tone. Small kids get glues to this toy as it repeats all the different things they try saying. Also the lights and movement of the toy hands and body looks attractive. My 2yr old kid spent days playing with it. But it is even more suitable for 1 year old as it promotes speaking and making some sound.
Let me pause here and ask you – what worked best for your 1 year old?
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My 1 year old baby was happy with spin again type of toys and musical toys which kept her wondering where these sounds come from
Sorry? What did you mean by a spin-again toy? This is what I found and it is so costly! https://www.amazon.in/Fat-Brain-Toys-Again-Multi/dp/B016F5QJQW
Goyal’s Plastic Push and Spin – Bear Spinner Toy Multicolor for Toddlers & Kids (Made in India) https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07Q14YLM8
You needn’t go for costly toys for a growing child
I recently bought the musical dancing cactus for my nephew. I got it from Amazon and I feel it was something unique product. But my nephew was not happy and he started crying after seeing the cactus mimicking the same thing. I was totally upset after that. The cactus dance is a bit horrifying for the toddlers and I feel bad for him. I will go with some other kids’ products next time.
That’s true. The cactus toy is fun once kids start playing. But it is scary as hell to start with – for some kids. You need to smoothly introduce the toy in a funny way. Try holding the baby in your arms and then introduce the new toy. Always works 🙂
I remember a similar experience when I bought a toy for my niece. It was a cute robot that was supposed to dance and sing, but when we turned it on, it made such loud and erratic movements that it frightened her. It’s tough when you’re excited to give a gift and it doesn’t turn out the way you expected. Don’t worry; there are plenty of other great toys out there for kids, and you’ll find something that suits your nephew perfectly next time.
Yes, this toy can be too noisy. But we had a different experience! This was exactly the toy we gifted a 1 year old boy of our friends. He got so excited he picked it up and threw on the floor. Toy broke and that was the end!
Still i think the dancing robot is a good attention grabber which is most important for small kids like 1 year and less.
This one is nice: https://www.amazon.in/Galaxy-Hi-Tech%C2%AE-Colorful-Direction-Movement/dp/B08LVRXMSS/
Noise can be reduced somehow by applying some stickers on the openings?
Other similar toy that keeps small kids glued are the rotating tops with light and sound. They are noisy too.
Here are some examples, and you will get a lot of varieties both online and in offline shops. Offline price is usually 150-200 per piece.
https://www.amazon.in/AASTHA-IMAGINE-Musical-Spinning-Multicolor/dp/B09MBT7W3F/
dancing toys can be beneficial for kids in the age group of 3 to 6 years.
less than that they get their utmost fear.
what do you think of this