Well, I officially have two toddlers. Jacob is 12 months (yes, I know, that’s a year, but I’m still counting him in months), and TJ is 2-and-a-half. Since our boys are exactly 18 months apart, I knew there would come a day when their interests started to align but I honestly didn’t think it would happen so quickly.
It feels like the days of activity mats and teething toys really flew by this time. Maybe it’s because TJ has always been so attentive to and inclusive of Jacob, but Jacob truly just wants to do whatever TJ is doing. It’s very sweet to see and I try to encourage them playing together as much as I can, but I also want to be sure they’re each getting age-appropriate and individual playtime, too. I’ve rounded up some of our current favorites for each of the boys and some of the things they’re loving playing with together, too!
TJ – 30 months; active, inquisitive, energetic, sensitive; loves being outside, learning new words, and the “task” of building things
- Train Table – We got this train table for TJ for Christmas, and it has truly been worth its weight in gold. It’s the first toy he asks to play with every morning and it’s fostered such independence and problem-solving skills. There are also a ton of add-on pieces that work well with this set, including all of the wooden Thomas trains!
- Play Doh – I am not a fan of Play Doh myself, but TJ has been loving this set that came with three colors, one of which looks like dirt, and two trucks. He plays it sitting at the kitchen table while Jacob is sleeping to minimize the Play Doh crumbs and so Jacob doesn’t try to play too, and that’s been working really well.
- Puzzles – TJ loves to figure things out. He’s at an age now, too, where tasks can hold his attention for a bit longer and he gets really excited when he does something on his own. “Mama, I GOT it” is one of his favorite phrases. I love seeing his little mind work to put puzzle pieces in the right spot and the teaching moments of looking at the big picture.
- Stickers – I know, stickers get everywhere. Not these! These Melissa & Doug reusable stickers are the answer to my “please don’t put that on the table” prayers. The pages and stickers are nice and big so I’m not super worried about Jacob getting his hands on the stickers, and they actually do re-stick.
Jacob – 12 months; unassumingly independent, happy, determined, laid back; loves observing what others do and trying to do it himself, putting things in containers, opening and closing cabinets, drawers, doors, etc.
- Activity Table – I got this table when Jacob was about 4 months old with the hopes that it would keep his attention for 2 minutes while he sat in the Bumbo seat. Well, it’s one of his favorite independent activities now. It’s the perfect height for a baby sitting on the floor, and it has lots of things to move and flip and slide. Plus, TJ doesn’t find it interesting anymore so it really is all Jacob’s.
- Magnet Blocks – These were originally a gift for TJ, but Jacob absolutely loves them. They’re a great size for a baby his age to hold, and the magnets are just sticky enough that they catch easily but not so sticky that he can’t pull them apart. Jacob loves sticking two or three pieces together and clapping for himself – be still, my heart.
- Lovey – This is less of a toy and more of a buddy, but Jacob has taken to the same Lovey as TJ. I’m not sure whether it’s because it looks like TJ’s and he wants to have the same one, or whether it really just is that comforting, but we tried about five different Loveys with Jacob and he always came back to this one.
Playing together – this can be a challenge. They’re close in age so they inevitably want to be together a lot of the time, but they’re also still so little that one doesn’t understand if the other is an “off” mood. TJ is also at a very constructive stage of building and problem-solving, while Jacob is a very destructive age of “let me drop this just to see what happens”. I never force them to play together if they’re not in the mood, but I do love to look in the playroom and see them playing next to each other, even if it’s with different toys. These are the toys that have been helpful for them to use together.
- Travel Train Set – This train set serves multiple purposes. It’s easy to bring with us when we go to friends’ houses, my parents’, etc. (whenever we’re able to do that again) to keep TJ entertained, and Jacob likes to use it as a stage. Maybe it’s because TJ is less possessive of this set than his big train table, but sharing always goes well with this toy, too.
- Easel – Our MVP of quarantine. This easel and its accessory kit were a Christmas gift from my Grandma to the boys and they use it literally every day. We haven’t used the chalk side yet because I think they’re a bit too young, but the paint side is amazing and the no-spill paint cups are a mama’s best friend.
- Gymnastics Mats/Blocks – These gymnastics blocks are used for tumbling, sliding, monster truck ramps, tower building, hide and seek, you name it. I love multi-purpose toys like these and, although I was a bit nervous that they would inspire TJ to jump off of furniture, so far so good!
- Green Toys Trucks – We have quite the collection of these Green Toys trucks. I love them because they’re so durable, and they made from recycled products. They can go in the tub, in the pool, even in the dishwasher. And they don’t have any little pieces so I don’t have to worry about Jacob breaking anything off that he shouldn’t
I hope you’ve found some new ideas for your little ones’ playrooms!
xo,
Stephanie
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