I am a big fan of toys that evolve with baby. All three of these toys are appropriate for multiple stages of development.
Leap Frog Learn and Groove Musical Table
This one is great because it starts off as a toy that baby can play with while sitting on the floor or during tummy time. Once baby masters sitting, simply add the legs and Voila! they can practice pulling to stand. Charlie loves the musical table because it has piano keys, a spinner, pieces that slide and open and it plays the Alphabet Song or a Count to 10 song on demand. Often times, he will crawl over to the table, pull to stand, push whatever it takes to make the song start and then bounce up and down, dancing. It is pretty darn adorable.
Here’s a video of Charlie playing with the Learn and Groove in late November of last year when he first started pulling to stand.
This one runs about $40 at most stores.
Fisher Price Laugh and Learning Home
This is one of the greatest toys ever invented. Everything about it is an activity. The flower spins, the numbers turn and count, the door opens and closes (and tells you that it is opening and closing so that baby starts to learn what “open” and “close” mean); it has a light switch that turns a light on and off; it has shapes that baby can sort through the proper holes and so much more. The best part, it is super sturdy and can support a baby as they learn to pull up. Eventually the house becomes its own play area to crawl through and cruise around.
Here is Charlie crawling through the doorway…
It can even entertain a bunch of lil ones at once…
I highly recommend this toy. It is about $85 at most stores.
Fisher Price Go Baby Go! Stride to Ride Dino
Charlie loves this walker because cruising is his favorite past time. I love this walker because it is super sturdy, was easy to put together and can grow with Charlie as he masters walking.
The Dinosaur’s legs have two positions: spread wide apart or closed. When open, the dinosaur acts as a walker. When closed, the legs acts as a seat, turning the dino into a toy Charlie can ride on. It also plays music. Sometimes the music will start randomly while Charlie is walking. When it does, he stops mid-stride and starts dancing. I love it when he does that!
We keep the walker outside, near our front door. Charlie will sit at our front door waiting for us to open it so he can cruise with his Dino. It is actually pretty funny because Charlie (our baby) and Sherman (our dog) will wait at the door together: Sherman because he wants to go on a walk and Charlie because, well, he wants to go on a walk.
Here he is on the move…
This one runs about $40 at most stores, although I have seen it on sale at Target for much less.
And the honorable mention goes to…
The Pottery Barn Shopping Cart. Mr. C doesn’t have this toy; more than likely because it is listed as a toy for girls. Gender aside, my friend Amanda swears this shopping cart is the reason her daughter started walking.
Do you have any of the above toys? If so, what do you think about them? Do you have any other recommendations for the pulling to stand/cruising stage?
Love this post! Love all the babies in the pic. Charlie is walking. OMG! We have the Learn and Groove Table and that’s how Gavin started to pull himself up. I will look into the “Go baby Go Dino” and Laugh & Learning home. Thanks Sam!
Thanks Jenni! He is kind of walking; more cruising, than walking. I’m excited for you to check out the toys. Let me know what you think of them…
Thanks for the Shout Out Samala! Besides the PB Shopping Kart, I LOVE the Fisher Price music table. Its basically the equivalent of the Leap Frog. It has TONS of songs and now I know all of them by heart.
I find I sing more songs from Charlie’s toys than I do songs that are on the radio!
Hi Thechroniclesofmom,
Very interesting, I had been feeding my baby boy them stupid jars since he started weaning at 6 months.. Just the jars nothing else!
But then i decided he wouldnt eat anything else so now i feed him ALL my meals and spend loads of time preparing healthy meals for him..
The question is though does their food reflect how advanced they are??
Charlie is 9 months and cannot yet sit up and just rolls around everywhere..
His friend sits up, stands, crawls and does all sorts and she is 2 days younger, she has had her mothers food from weaning!
Im really encouraging him to sit up and spend lots of time with his toys doing so
Anyone know??
Catch you again soon!
Hi Robyn, thanks for checking out my blog! in answer to your question, I do not believe that food intake or any milestone for that matter indicates how advanced a child is or will be. It is so easy to get caught up on what other babies are doing, especially when they are around the same age as your own. I have learned the hard way to just take the time to enjoy every moment. Every baby develops at their own pace, but eventually they end up in the same place. I believe that you should keep doing what you are doing (playing and learning) and Charlie will come around when he is ready. A year from now I bet that Charlie and his friend will both be walking, eating and playing at a similar pace. Keep me updated!