Re: Presents for toddlers.

[Juxtapositioned]

Hi to all in u.p.p & uk.d-i-y. This is a u.p.p thread concerning what to buy for toddlers, of which I currently have one, which has a question in 1) below which uk.d-i-y-ers might be able to answer. Further contributions as to "what" gratefully accepted! I visited a the "Early Learning Centre", a shop full of toys and toddlers of all ages playing with displays, coming away with:

1) A plastic "Daisy the duck" - remote controlled quacking duck for use in the bath or on the floor. The 9-y.o. suggested that it *might* be suitable for a 2-y.o., and I quite agree. I can't wait 'till he opens it. Neither can the 9-y.o. The packaging says "do not use rechargeable batteries". I wonder why (hence the x-psot to uk.d-i-y). 2) A big bag of "Megga Blocks" to go with his current small collection. *Why*, why do these come in a large unperforated stiff plastic bag ideal for children to put their heads into?? 3) A wooden railway-track like thing, which would presumably be easy to make out of beech. How to cut the jigsaw-like connecters between sections, though?? Some wheeled things to push around the track.

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[Tim Mitchell]

In article , Juxtapositioned writes

Because many common rechargeables don't have the umph to run things like this. Quacking takes a lot of power. Especially non-stop quacking, which is what is likely to happen. However if you pick the battery carefully (look at the mA/h rating) then they can work well.

Brio railway? Tesco do a much cheaper version of this (and it's compatible with Brio).

[Lee Blaver]

I've also seen the explanation that the lower voltage and lower internal resistance of Nicad/NiMh, can lead to the device drawing more current than it's designed to and damaging it. Doesn't sound likely, but I suppose it's possible.

Lee

[Christian McArdle]

Rechargeables actually have better current capability than many disposable batteries, as they have low internal resistance. Unfortunately, though, the cells usually have lower voltage, so equipment has to be specifically designed for this variation to take advantage of them.

Christian.

[Juxtapositioned]

Quacking (quoth in disbelief) ? Surely laying eggs.... anyway, thanks various for replies so far. I was thinking of buying a lot of 1800mAH NiMH batteries (Maplin a good source?? Need to have these *before* Christmas), BUT was worried about possible high currents in a wet environment spoiling the batteries (I

*know* that these batteries are not suitable for use in a long tubular hand-held device in moist conditions (a torch, yes, yes that's it, a torch...)).

Oooh! I haven't seen it! I can't find it on their on-line shopping site, either. Do you know what they call it?

Oh well done. Fun nearly all the time!

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[Tim Mitchell]

Tesco Wooden Railway, I think. I can't find it on-line either, but our local tesco has a good range of bits. They also do a battery powered locomotive which Brio don't, saves daddy's arms from pushing the thing round all the time, plus you can send it under the sofa and watch it come out the other side (hopefully)

[NJF]

Look in the freeads and the like, lots of people have Brio etc no longer needed, hell I've a crate full to sell myself!

Niel.

[Christian McArdle]

You can certainly get battery powered trains from Brio.

The Tesco stuff is good. However, there is a HUGE set in Asda for pocket money, too, with many different styles of bridges, roads, stations and accessories.

Christian.

[Dave Liquorice]

'till he opens it. Neither can the 9-y.o. The packaging

[Dave Liquorice]

A spindle moulder with suitably shaped blades. Mould the ends before spliting down into track thickness bits and routing the track groves. Note the profile of those as well, it's not just a channel it's a champhered channel.

A coping saw could do it by hand but it would still be quite fiddly and unlikely to produce such a good finish.

Probably easier than the track. 5/8" dowel cut into slices for wheels brass dome head tacks to attach wheels to a body block. Other bits stuck on to make wagons, engine (boiler from more dowel) etc.

[Tim Mitchell]

In article , Christian McArdle writes

Can you, I could never find one. I decided it must be against their ethos or something.

Haven't seen that, is that compatible as well?

[Christian McArdle]

Yeah, we've got one. However, it is a Thomas the Tank Engine, rather than a generic one. It still has a Brio logo on the box, though. Surprisingly powerful, but not very fast. It'll draw a six carriage train over a fairly steep bridge without problems.

I believe so, although don't have any. We picked up some Ikea that claimed compatibility, but it isn't really, unless you seriously force it and some parts won't mate at all, particularly the junctions, which are cheap Y based, rather than the better made straight with a curve, which works much better.

Christian.

[Owain]

"Juxtapositioned" wrote | 1) A plastic "Daisy the duck" - remote controlled quacking duck | for use in the bath or on the floor. The 9-y.o. suggested that | it *might* be suitable for a 2-y.o., and I quite agree. | I can't wait 'till he opens it. Neither can the 9-y.o.

Hmmm. Is it too late to add a PS on my letter to Santa ... I hope he's kept his CORGI registration up to date otherwise he won't be able to get past the gas fire.

| 2) A big bag of "Megga Blocks" to go with his current small | collection. *Why*, why do these come in a large unperforated | stiff plastic bag ideal for children to put their heads into??

I think that is one to follow up with Trading Standards.

| 3) A wooden railway-track like thing, which would presumably | be easy to make out of beech. How to cut the jigsaw-like | connecters between sections, though?? Some wheeled things to | push around the track.

Ahh, memories. I wonder if I've still got mine.

Owain

[Andy Hall]

Personally, I believe that every toddler needs a trumpet and a drum for Christmas - they'll feel deprived without them.

Their parents certainly shouldn't miss out on the experience of a toddler with a trumpet and a drum either, and of course if you have two toddlers they'll each need them.

.andy

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[Christian McArdle]

If anyone buys them for a child of mine, then they can be left at the donor's house as a special treat for when we come over.

Christian.

[Christian McArdle]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the bridges supplied are too small for any trains to pass under except the specially cut down ones that come with it.

Christian.

[Bob Smith]

rechargeable

Maybe something to do with the lower voltage (as someone else mentioned). I would not put rechargables in a childs toy that it is possible to leave on anyway. A deeply discharged cell is difficult to nurse back to health, if it is not totally damaged.

Lax Canadian safety laws? Does it say "remove all packaging before giving to a child" ? Maybe the thick PVC bag is not covered by dangerous plastic bag laws.

You could use a jigsaw... They are a loose fit - the track sections move by about 10 degrees, so you don't need to be that accurate. Some brands use a plastic "ball on a stick" inserted into a hole in the end instead.

Bob

[Tim Mitchell]

In article , Christian McArdle writes

This rule should also apply to any of those electronic tune playing toys, particularly the ones which play "Old Macdonald had a farm".

[Owain]

"Andy Hall" wrote | Personally, I believe that every toddler needs a trumpet and a drum | for Christmas - they'll feel deprived without them. | Their parents certainly shouldn't miss out on the experience of a | toddler with a trumpet and a drum either, and of course if you have | two toddlers they'll each need them.

It's never too early to start them off with a practice chanter, and it will encourage them on to, er, louder, things.

Owain

[Andy Hall]

... these ones are always the favourites, aren't they? :-)

Cheer up though. Before you know it, they'll be 18. Nothing will change though - they'll still be behaving like toddlers :-)

.andy

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