Q. Hey Jordan! I’m meeting my niece for the first time this summer, when she will be about six months old. I’d like to give her something really special. I think your son is almost the same age…does he have something he really loves?
Thank you!
Maria
A. This is a really fun age, because babies are just starting to actually engage in the world around them. My son is particularly into toys with flashing lights, bright colors, music, the whole nine yards…but also, you know, freaks out over his feet, so I think it doesn’t take much to please them right now.
You said that you want to give your niece something that she’ll really love, but also something really special, but the thing is that the toys that will really excite her at this developmental stage are likely things she’ll grow out of. So my suggestion is to bring something fun that she’ll be excited about right this very minute, and also something more classic that she’ll enjoy (or at least appreciate) over the long-term, like a pillow that’s an instant heirloom or a perfect stuffed animal.
Clockwise from top left: Whoozit, Little Tikes Baby Gym (my son just got this, and adores it…and it moves into different positions so it can be enjoyed from 0-36 months), Steiff teddy bear, Jonathan Adler pillow.
Another idea: Bring a stack of classic children’s books. This is a great age to start getting kids into reading (or at least storytime), and my son is so excited about books these days that I want to buy him every single one I see. Indy’s current favorites: Richard Scarry’s Best First Book Ever, anything Dr. Seuss (but especially Sneetches on Beaches), and Marcel the Shell With Shoes On: Things About Me.
