I'm trying to get some new toys for my 15-month-old very active and playful son. He's into ride-on cars, balls, sandboxes, and balance bikes. I'm considering some of the bigger toys like a play kitchen, trampoline, or ball pits. As they're going to be major purchases and taking up a significant portion of our living room real estate, I'd like to get the best one if possible. What turned out to be your kids' favorite toys?
I was honestly on the fence about getting a play kitchen at first—like, would it just take up space and collect dust? But wow, it turned out to be one of the best things we got for my son. We got it when he was around 18 months, and at first, he just liked opening and closing the doors, putting random things in the oven, and pretending to "wash" his hands in the sink. Super simple play, but he was obsessed.
As he got older, he started actually "cooking" and serving us meals, making up little recipes, and even mimicking what he saw in the real kitchen. Now that he’s 3, he still plays with it all the time—he’s even getting into imaginary restaurant role-play, which is hilarious. I totally underestimated how long it would keep him entertained, and honestly, it’s been worth every penny.
Indoor ball pit. I can't stress enough how much my nephews used/loved it. If your space allows it, go with the bigger one because bigger's always better. Yes, you need more balls to fill the pit, but it meant exponentially more fun for my nephews.
I wasn’t sure if a play couch was worth it at first—like, would it just be another big thing taking up space? But wow, it turned out to be such a good buy. We got one when my son was around 16 months, and at first, he just loved climbing all over it and knocking down whatever we built. But as he got older, it became everything—a fort, a slide, a cozy reading spot, even a pretend rocket ship.
Now that he’s 2.5, he still uses it every single day. He builds obstacle courses, makes little hideouts, and even lounges on it to watch TV. I love that it grows with him, and honestly, it’s saved my couch from so much toddler destruction. Definitely one of those things I thought was unnecessary but ended up being one of our best purchases! There are multiple options out there, and they're honestly the same. So get something that fits your budget and style.
Proven Toys for Toddlers
15 months old boy
$400
entertaining
enriching and stimulating
I'm trying to get some new toys for my 15-month-old very active and playful son. He's into ride-on cars, balls, sandboxes, and balance bikes. I'm considering some of the bigger toys like a play kitchen, trampoline, or ball pits. As they're going to be major purchases and taking up a significant portion of our living room real estate, I'd like to get the best one if possible. What turned out to be your kids' favorite toys?
I was honestly on the fence about getting a play kitchen at first—like, would it just take up space and collect dust? But wow, it turned out to be one of the best things we got for my son. We got it when he was around 18 months, and at first, he just liked opening and closing the doors, putting random things in the oven, and pretending to "wash" his hands in the sink. Super simple play, but he was obsessed.
As he got older, he started actually "cooking" and serving us meals, making up little recipes, and even mimicking what he saw in the real kitchen. Now that he’s 3, he still plays with it all the time—he’s even getting into imaginary restaurant role-play, which is hilarious. I totally underestimated how long it would keep him entertained, and honestly, it’s been worth every penny.
Indoor ball pit. I can't stress enough how much my nephews used/loved it. If your space allows it, go with the bigger one because bigger's always better. Yes, you need more balls to fill the pit, but it meant exponentially more fun for my nephews.
I wasn’t sure if a play couch was worth it at first—like, would it just be another big thing taking up space? But wow, it turned out to be such a good buy. We got one when my son was around 16 months, and at first, he just loved climbing all over it and knocking down whatever we built. But as he got older, it became everything—a fort, a slide, a cozy reading spot, even a pretend rocket ship.
Now that he’s 2.5, he still uses it every single day. He builds obstacle courses, makes little hideouts, and even lounges on it to watch TV. I love that it grows with him, and honestly, it’s saved my couch from so much toddler destruction. Definitely one of those things I thought was unnecessary but ended up being one of our best purchases! There are multiple options out there, and they're honestly the same. So get something that fits your budget and style.