RO: Pe masura ce creste Alexei, imi dau seama cat de dificil devine pentru prietenii si familia noastra sa ii aleaga un cadou. Pentru ca desi copiii au evolutii similare in primii ani de viata (salturi mentale, pusee etc – da, si eu gandeam ca se termina toate in momentul in care ajungem la finalul Wonder Weeks-ului :D), de la 2 ani incolo mi se pare ca devin foarte diferiti atunci vine vorba de joaca si de preferinte pentru activitati. Unii prefera desenatul, altii nu. Unii sunt foarte activi si vor joaca afara, altii prefera statul in casa si activitatile indoor. Unora le place sa asculte povesti, altora nu. Unii vor sa construiasca, altii vor sa se joace cu masini. Unii vor role playing, altii prefera jocurile de cooperare. Si tot asa 🙂 Cert e ca jocurile de la aceasta varsta (2-3 ani) au nevoie de foarte multa implicare si din partea noastra. Copiii descopera prin joc, devin din ce in ce mai activi, iar momentele de pasivitate sunt din ce in ce mai putine. Este o perioada foarte interesanta si pentru noi, parintii, pentru ca ne pune la incercare si rabdarea, si creativitatea (nu de putine ori ma culc seara gandindu-ma cum am putea sa ne mai jucam a doua zi :D).

EN: As Alexei is growing, I can imagine how hard for our family and friends is to choose a present for him. Because even though children have similar development in the first years of life (mental leaps, growth spurts etc – yup, I also thought everything will end when we reach the end of Wonder Weeks :D), after 2 years it seems that they become so different when it comes to playing and activities. Some of them prefer drawing, other don’t. Some of them are really active and want to play outside, other prefer staying inside and doing indoor activities. Some of them like to hear stories, other don’t. Some of them want to build, others want to play with cars. Some of them want role playing, others prefer cooperation games. And so on and so forward 🙂 What is certain is the fact that at this age (2-3 years) they need a lot of involvement from our side. Children discover through playing, they become more and more active and passive moments aren’t so many during the day. It is a very interesting period of time for us, the parents, because our patience and creativity is challenged (it often happens to fall asleep thinking how to play the next day :D)

RO: Si chiar daca sunt complet de acord cu faptul ca un copil nu are nevoie de saci de jucarii pentru a fi fericit sau pentru a se juca frumos, recunosc ca de multe ori ne-a ajutat faptul ca am avut diverse jocuri sau activitati pentru Alexei (in special in perioada aceasta de lucrat de acasa). Nu cumparam jucarii impulsiv (oricum mare parte din jucariile pe care le avem sunt de fapt primite cadou), rotim jucariile (le ascundem in saci sau cutii si le scoatem la 2-3 saptamani, ca sa para mereu ca este ceva nou) si incercam sa avem mereu o lista actualizata cu lucruri (jocuri, jucarii sau activitati) pe care ne dorim sa i le luam lui Alexei, astfel incat sa o putem distribui celor care doresc sa ii cumpere cadouri (in felul acesta le usuram si lor cautarile si ne asiguram si noi ca nu primeste jucarii de care sa se plictiseasca in 2 zile). Asa ca lista ce urmeaza este chiar lista noastra de cadouri de Craciun pentru Alexei, pe care o vom imparti cu cei dragi (de fapt este o lista mai lunga, pentru camulte din jucariile din aceasta lista le are deja). Fata de anii precedenti, variantele de cadouri sunt mult mai multe la aceasta varsta, cand jocul este atat de diferit si ofertant pentru ei. Asa ca va fi un articol foarte lung 🙂 Lasam la indemana si celelalte doua articole scrise anul recut: pentru bebelusi de 0-12 luni (link aici) si pentru copii de 1-2 ani (link aici).

EN: And even though I completely agree with the fact that a child doesn’t need sacks of toys to be happy or to play nicely, I have to admit that it really helped us to have so many games and activities for Alexei (especially during this period when we both work at home). We do not buy toys impulsively (actually most of the toys we have were received as presents), we rotate the toys (we hide them in sacks or boxes and rotate them every 2-3 weeks, so that it seems that he always has something new) and we try to have an updated list of things (games, toys or activities) that I want for Alexei, so that we can share with those who want to buy something for him (in this way we make their research easier and we are sure that he will not receive toys that he will get bored of in 2 days). So the list that follows is actually our Christmas list for Alexei, which we will share with our dear ones (actually it will be a longer list as we also included the toys that Alexei already has). Unlike the previous years, there are so many options of nice presents at this age, when the game can be so different for them. So this will be a very long article 🙂 We will leave the articles written last year: for 0-12 months babies (link here) and for 1-2 years old children (link here).

Tricicleta / Tricycle
RO: Pana de curand, am avut o tricicleta care se putea transforma in bicicleta de balans, de lemn, de la Tiny Tot (link aici). Noi am avut varianta mica, potrivita pentru 1-2 ani, insa exista si varianta un pic mai mare, numit Tiny Tot Plus (link aici) potrivita de la 1,5 ani pana la 4 ani. Pe la 2 ani, i-a ramas micalui Alexei. Se lovea cu picioarele de rotile din spate si chiar si cand o transformam in bicicleta, aceasta era prea putin inalta, chiar si cu scaunul ridicat in pozitia maxima. Asa ca in momentul de fata nu are o tricicleta/bicicleta de balans potrivita. Ne tenta sa ii luam varianta Tiny Tot Plus de tricicleta de balans, insa ne tot gandim daca nu ar fi un plan mai bun sa trecem direct la o bicicleta de balans, potrivita copilasilor mai mari. (later edit: pana la urma am ales Tiny Tot Plus care se transforma in bicicleta si fiind de lemn e mult mai usoara decat bicicletele mai mari).

EN: Up until recently, we had a tricycle that could be transformed into a balance bike, made of wood, from Tiny Tot (link here). We had the smaller version, suitable for 1-2 years old, but there’s also a bigger version called Tiny Tot Plus (link here) suitable from 1,5 years to 4. At 2 years old, our tricycle was already small for Alexei. He was hitting the back wheels and even when we made it a bicycle it wasn’t tall enough for him, even with the chair in the maximum position. So at this moment he doesn’t have a suitable tricycle/balance bike. We were tempted to choose the Tiny Tot Plus version but we were thinking if it would be better to choose a balance bike that would be suitable for bigger kids. (later edit: in the end we have chosen Tiny Tot Plus that can be made a bicycle and because it is made of wood it is way lighter that the bigger bicycles).

Bicicleta de balans / Balance Bike
RO: Avem deja o bicicleta de balans din metal, primita in Olanda, insa este foarte grea si dificil de manevrat. Asa ca rareori o foloseste, de frica sa nu se loveasca cu ea atunci cand mai cade in stanga sau dreapta. Este o bicicleta micuta, potrivita pentru varsta lui, dimensiunea e absolut perfecta, insa i-ar trebui ceva mult mai usor. Avem de mult timp pe lista noastra bicicleta aceasta (link aici) de la Little Dutch insa pare sa fie potrivita copilasilor de peste 3 ani. Desi este extrem de frumoasa, are aceeasi problema ca cea pe care o avem deja: este prea grea (are peste 5 kg) si poate fi greu de manevrat sau de ridicat de pe jos. O lasam totusi pe lista pentru copilasii mai maricei.

EN: We already have a metal balance bike, we received it in The Netherlands, but it is heavy and hard to maneuver. So he rarely uses it, because he is afraid that he will hit himself when he falls on the side. It is a small bicycle, suitable for his age, the dimension is absolutely perfect, but he would need something lighter. For quite a while we have on our list this bicycle (link here), it is from Little Dutch and seems to be suitable for children above 3 years. Even though it is extremely beautiful, it has the same issue as the one we already have: it is too heavy (it has over 5 kg) and it can be hard to maneuver or to lift it. We will leave it here though, for older children.

Scuter de balans / Balance scooter
RO: Credem ca acesta ar fi un compromis bun pentru varsta actuala. Tricicleta de balans ii este mica, bicicleta de la punctul anterior i-ar fi prea mare si prea grea. Produsele acestea din gama Little Dutch imi plac extrem de mult, am o slabiciune pentru ele, iar scuterul acesta (link aici) ar fi o varianta foarte buna pentru varsta, greutatea si inaltimea lui Alexei (2 ani si jumatate, 90-92cm inaltime si 11,5-12kg greutate). In plus este din lemn, deci cu siguranta mult mai usor decat bicicleta de la punctul anterior.

EN: This could be a good compromise for the current age. The wooden tricycle is small, the bicycle from the previous point would be too big or too heavy. We love Little Dutch products, I have a thing for them, and this scooter (link here) could be a good option for Alexei’s age, weight and height (2 and a half years, 90-92 cm height and 11,5-12kg weight). Besides, it is made of wooden so for sure it will be lighter that the metal bicycle.

Bucatarie / Kitchen
RO: Apare si in articolul pentru copii de 1-2 ani (link aici) insa mi se pare ca pentru cei de 2-3 ani este o idee chiar mai buna, pentru ca incep sa se joace mult mai implicati, incep sa imite mult mai mult actiunile parintilor si cred ca se bucura mai mult de un astfel de cadou. Noi avem o bucatarie adorabila, care imita ceramica de Delft (care sa ne aminteasca de Olanda) si care arata superb (link aici). Insa dupa cum spuneam si in acel articol, exista foarte multe variante de bucatarii: cea de la Ikea este una dintre cele mai faimoase (link aici), exista si la Lidl o bucatarie pentru cei mici (link aici, in Olanda se poate comanda chiar online), cei de la adinish.com au o bucatarie de la brandul Kid’s Concept, care are incluse multe accesorii (link aici) iar cei de la Cate-n Luna si-n Stele au bucatarii de la mai multe branduri, precum New Toys, un brand olandez (link aici), Jabadabado un brand suedez (link aici) sau renumita bucatarie de la Little Dutch, care noua ne place extrem de mult (link aici).

EN: We mentioned the kitchen also in the article dedicated for children between 1-2 years (link here) but for children that are between 2 and 3 years old it can be even more useful as they start to be more involved, they try to replicate actions seen at their parents and I think they would even enjoy more such a present. We have an adorable kitchen, that replicates Delft ceramic (to reminder us of The Netherlands) and it really looks gorgeous (link here). But as I was saying in the first article, there are lots and lots of options for such kitchens. The one from Ikea is one of the most famous ones (link here), Lidl also has an interesting one (link here, in NL it can be ordered online), adinish.com has a kitchen from Kid’s Concept brand, which has lots of accessories included (link here) and Cate-n Luna si-n Stele has kitchens from different brands, as New Toys – a Dutch brand (link here), Jabadabadoa Swedish brand (link here) or the famous Little Dutch kitchen, which we really love (link here).

Banc de lucru / Work Station
RO: La fel ca si bucataria, bancul de lucru apare si in articolul pentru copii de 1-2 ani (link aici), insa il includ si in aceasta lista din acelasi motiv. Sincera sa fiu, astfel de jucarii pot fi folosite ani la rand, sunt genul de jucarii de care copiii nu se plictisesc, pentru ca pot adapta jocul cu acestea pe masura ce cresc. Bancul de lucru a fost mai putin preferat de Alexei, a fost mai degraba atras de bucatarie (poate si pentru ca nu sunt deloc priceputa in ale tamplaritului si nu am stiut sa fac jocul mai atragator pentru el) insa inca il folosim. Inca il mai tenteaza sa bata un cui in gaurile bancului, sa se mai joace cu piesele, sau sa isi puna centura de tamplar. O idee buna de cadou ar fi bancul acesta de lucru (link aici) impreuna cu o carte pentru copii care sa ii faca sa inteleaga la ce foloseste acest banc de lucru (spre exemplu “Castor este tamplar”, link aici).

EN: As well as the kitchen, the workstation is also included in the article for 1-2 years old children (link here), but I will include it in this list for the same reason. To be honest, this type of toys can be used for years, children won’t get bored of them because they can adapt how they play with them as they grow. This workstation wasn’t Alexei’s favorite, he was more attracted by the kitchen (maybe because I am not so good at anything related to carpentering and I didn’t know how the make the game more appealing for him, but we are still using it. He is still tempted to drive in a nail in holes of the workstation, he still likes playing with all the pieces and accessories or to put on his carpenter belt. A good idea for a present could be this workstation (link here) along with a book that explains how to use this workstation (for instance this one).

Magazin piata / Market Stall
RO: Tot din categoria jucariilor de rol este si piata aceasta (link aici). Fructele si legumele sunt incluse, insa cantarul (link aici) si casa de marcat (link aici) sunt separate. Cred ca niciuna dintre jucariile de rol nu l-a atras mai mult pe Alexei. Inca de cand avem acest magazin (de trei luni) ne jucam zi de zi cu el. Si este extrem de ofertant, poate fi potrivit atat pentru varste mici (sa invete fructele, legumele, sa le “taie”, sa invete culorile, sa numere etc) cat si pentru varste mai mari (sa invete cum sa foloseasca banii, cum dea rest, cum sa se joace de-a vanzatorul sau de-a cumparatorul etc).

EN: Another role play toy could be this market (link here). The fruits and vegetables are included, but the weighing machine (link here) and the cash register (link here) are not. I think there’s no other role playing toy that attracted Alexei more. Ever since we have this market stall (almost three months) we play with it every day. And it can be so easy to use, for both young children (to learn the fruits, the vegetables, to “cut” them, to learn the colors, to count etc) but also for bigger children (to learn how to use the money, how to give change, how to be a vendor or a buyer etc).

Casuta de papusi / Doll House
RO: Nu am aprofundat prea mult aceasta categorie (chiar daca spunem mereu ca nu suntem adeptii jucariilor gender specific, nu ne-am gandit niciodata pana acum sa ii luam o casuta de papusi). Insa cred ca este un cadou potrivit chiar si pentru baiat, cata vreme accesoriile sunt mai neutre. La fel cum si fetele se pot juca fara probleme cu masini si basculante, si baietii pot avea o casa de papusi. Preturile sunt destul de ridicate, cel putin pentru casutele mari, de lemn, insa cea care ne-a atras noua atentia este aceasta, care are si mobilier inclus (link aici). Sau aceasta care insa nu are deloc mobilier inclus (link aici). Iar papusile pot fi ceva cat mai simplu, cele cu familia (link aici) mi s-au parut cele mai frumoase. Sau chiar si cele cu echipa de interventie (link aici). Ulterior se pot adauga tot felul de alte accesorii de lemn pentru mobilier, sunt foarte multe optiuni (link aici, aici sau aici).

EN: We do not have much experience with this type of toys (even though we always say that we don’t like gender specific toys we never thought about getting a doll house for Alexei). But I think it can be a good present even for a boy, as long as the accessories are more neutral. As well as girls can easily play with cars and utility cars, boys can also have a doll house. The prices are quite high though, at least for the big wooden houses, but what caught our attention is this one, which has some furniture included (link here). Or this one, which doesn’t have furniture at all (link here). And dolls can be simple, this family set (link here) seemed one of the nicest for me. Or even the intervention team can be a good idea (link here). Then there can be added other wooden accessories, there are plenty of options (link here, here and here).

Lego Duplo
RO: Inca nu se termina nebunia cu Lego Duplo 🙂 Cred ca piesele acestea mari de Lego sunt in continuare potrivite pentru varsta aceasta (2-3 ani). De fapt cei de la Lego spun ca gama aceasta Duplo este potrivita pana la 5 ani, asa ca mai avem suficient timp sa luam toate modelele de Duplo pana atunci :)) Nu avem exagerat de multe seturi Lego, insa am umplut un mic sac de hartie doar cu piese de Lego. Avem si o placa pentru construit (link aici) pe care montam constructiile. Sincer, sunt atat de multe seturi de Lego Duplo, ca ar fi imposibil de recomandat ceva anume, cu siguranta depinde foarte mult de preferintele celor mici si de bugetul alocat. Am gasit aici foarte multe variante, de la foarte mici la foarte mari (link aici).

EN: At this age, the Lego Duplo madness does not end 🙂 These large Lego pieces are still suitable for this age (2-3years). Actually, Lego says that this range of pieces is suitable for children up to 5 years, so we have plenty of time to get all the Lego Duplo sets until then :)) We don’t have too many Lego Duplo sets, but we do have a small paper sack with Lego pieces only. We also have a board for building on it (link here) where we mount our constructions. Honestly, there are so many sets that it would be impossible to recommend something, as for sure it depends on what our little ones preferences are and of course, the budget we have. We found here lots of options, from very small sets to really large ones (link here).

Piese magnetice de constructie / Magnetic construction tiles
RO: Nu m-as fi gandit niciodata cat pot fi de distractive piesele acestea magnetice. De altfel orice set de constructie este atragator pentru copilasii de 2-3 ani, insa cele magnetice sunt cu siguranta mai interesante. Noi avem setul acesta de 150 piese de la Playmags (link aici), care include o carticica de inspiratie pentru idei de construit (foarte utila, nu am fi avut atata imaginatie sa cream atatea cladiri, masini, strazi, turnuri). Stim ca exista si extensii ale acestor seturi (cu roti pentru masini sau trenuri si multe alte piese) si chiar o sa ii mai luam, ca sa mai diversificam ideile de construit 🙂 Aceeasi idee de piese magnetice (dar alte forme) exista si de la SmartMax (link aici), de la Geosmart (link aici) sau Picasso Tiles (link aici). Sunt destul de similare toate.

EN: I never thought these magnetic tiles can be so fun. Actually any construction set can be attractive for 2-3 years old toddlers, but the magnetic ones are for sure more interesting. We have this set of 150 pieces from Playmags (link here) that also includes an inspiration book for ideas of things to build (very useful, we wouldn’t have had such imagination to create so many buildings, streets, towers). We know that there are extensions of these sets (with wheels for cars and trains and many other pieces) and we will probably take some, to make the buildings more diverse 🙂 The same idea of magnetic tiles (but other shapes) are at SmartMax (link here), Geosmart (link here) or Picasso Tiles (link here). All of them are pretty similar.

Harta lumii cu magneti / World Map with Magnets
RO: Tot din categoria magnetilor, pentru Alexei a fost de mare interes harta aceasta magnetica (link aici). Are piese destul de micute insa si la varsta aceasta nu am cum sa il faca singuri, dar asistati de un parinte poate fi o activitate foarte amuzanta. Piesele sunt colorate, au diverse detalii ale tarii sau regiunii din fiecare piesa, se poate atarna, pot da jos de pe tabla toti magnetii (distractia suprema in cazul nostru) sau ii pot atasa anapoda pe tabla 🙂 E o idee draguta de cadou, care sigur ii tenteaza pe cei mai multi copii 🙂

EN: Also in the magnets category, Alexei really loved this magnetic map (link here). It has some small pieces and even though it is very hard for them to do this puzzle alone at this age, it can be quite a fun activity when assisted by parents. The pieces are colorful, they have different details of the country or region from each piece, it can be hanged, children can remove all the magnets from the map at once (supreme fun in our case) or they can just randomly attach them on the map 🙂 It is a nice idea for a present, which can surely be tempting for most of the children 🙂

Cutie de portrete cu piese magnetice / Portraits with Magnetic Pieces
RO: Nu avem de multa vreme jocul acesta, insa a fost nebunie cu el din primul moment. Il avem de la cajuki.com (link aici), capacul cutiei si cutia in sine sunt practic contururile a doua fete, pe care cei mici pot atasa diferiti magneti. Diferite tipuri de ochi, gura, nas, accesorii (ochelari, codite de par, agrafe, barba etc). Este foarte amuzant jocul, chiar si pentru noi adultii 😀

EN: We received this game quite recently but it was a complete madness with it from the beginning. We have it from cajuki.com (link here), the top of the box and the box itself are basically the contours of the two faces and the little ones can attach different magnets. Different types of eyes, mouth, nose, accessories (glasses, hair, bobby pins, beard etc). This is a really fun game, even for us, the adults 😀

Carti / Books
RO: Despre cartile pe care le recomandam pentru aceasta varsta am scris un articol lung (link aici), cu foarte multe titluri incluse. Unele deja testate de noi (cu un scurt review pentru fiecare), altele primite ca recomandari si incluse intr-o lista la final de articol.

EN: We wrote a really long article about the books we recommend for this age (link here) and it has lots of titles included. Some are already tested by us (with a short review about each of them) and others have been received as recommendations from other parents that have tested them so we have included them in a list at the end of the article.

Jocuri de Cooperare / Cooperation Games
RO: Nu stiam ca exista astfel de jocuri pentru copii atat de mici, insa cei de la colorazon.ro au foarte multe astfel de variante (link aici). Sunt jocuri simple, de tipul board game-urilor, dar adaptate varstei de 2,5-3 ani. Noi avem doua cu animalute si cu niste reguli foarte simple de joc. La inceputul oricarui joc nu a fost interesat de jocul propriu zis, ci mai degraba de animalutele sau accesoriile jocului, insa atunci cand ne vedea pe amandoi jucand implicati si explicandu-i care sunt regulile jocului, incepea sa ii placa. Uneori implicam si plusurile lui preferate in joc, ca si cum ar fi fost jucatori adevarati, si devenea chiar mai atras de jocul de cooperare 🙂 Noi avem acest joc de cooperare (link aici) si pe acesta (link aici).

EN: We didn’t know that there are such games for small children, but colorazon.ro has so many options (link here). These are simple games, like board games, but suitable for 2,5-3 years. We have two cooperation games with animals and some very simple rules. At the start of each game he wasn’t quite interested in the actual game, but when he was seeing us both playing involved and explaining him the rules, he was starting to enjoy it. Sometimes we involve his favorite plush toys in the game, as if they would be real players, and he really enjoyed the game 🙂 We have this game (link here) and this one (link here).

Jocuri de logica sau de memorie / Logic and Memory games
RO: Cele mai dragute astfel de jocuri le-am gasit la colorazon.ro. Nu avem inca un astfel de joc, insa avem pe wishlist urmatoarele doua jocuri (dupa ce am vorbit cu cei de la Colorazon si i-am rugat sa ne recomande ce este potrivit pentru varsta de 2-3 ani din toata marea de jocuri pe care o au): Bunny Boo (link aici), un joc care ajuta copilul sa inteleaga orientarea in spatiu, culori/forme, pozitii si planificare a mutarilor, care contine si un carnetel cu provocari organizate pe niveluri de dificultate. Si Little Memo (link aici), un joc simplu, in care cei mici invata despre competitie cu un partener. Ei trebuie sa retina pozitia animalelor din gradina, ascunse sub un tufis. De fapt brandul acesta Djeco are extrem, extrem de multe variante de jocuri interesante (link aici pentru o selectie mai mare). Sunt si alte jocuri educative care mi-au atras atentia, spre exemplu jocul Casuta Ursuletilor (link aici) care se bazeaza pe programa scolara STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in care copiii invata la o singura materie stiinta, tehnologie, inginerie si matematica. Acest joc ii ajuta pe copilasi sa descopere distractia prin jocul de memorie, cu instructiuni simple, in trei pasi si fara ca cei mici sa fie nevoiti sa citeasca. Copiii trebuie sa potriveasca perechile de ursuleti cu usile colorate si primul jucator care reuseste acest lucru castiga.

EN: We found the cutest such games at colorazon.ro. We do not have such a game yet, but we added on our list the following two games (after we talked to colorazon.ro team and asked them to recommend us something that is suitable for a 2-3 years old child): Bunny Boo (link here), a game that helps the child to understand spatial orientation, colors/shapes, positioning and planning the moves, and it also contains an agenda with challenges organized on different levels of difficulty. And Little Memo (link here), a simple game, where the child can learn about competition with a partner. They have to remember the position of the animals in the garden, hidden under a bush. Actually Djeco brand has so many interesting games (link here for a bigger selection). There are also other educative games that caught our attention, for instance The Bear House (link here) which is based on STEM curriculum (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) where children learn at a single discipline more about all these four areas. This game helps the children to discover fun through memory game, with simple instructions, in three steps and without reading. Children have to match the bear pairs with the colorful doors and the first one who does that wins the game.

Jocuri domino / Domino Games
RO: Foarte posibil sa fie putin cam devreme pentru astfel de jocuri (cel putin cel pe care il avem noi este mai degraba distractiv pentru noi, adultii, decat pentru Alexei), insa poate o varianta mai potrivita copiilor mici ar fi mai interesanta. Noi il avem pe acesta, cu 1000 de piese (link aici) insa momentan nu este atras decat de distrugerea constructiilor, nu de construit 😀 Insa la micostore.ro am vazut ca exista mai multe variante de jocuri domino (link aici). Am gasit insa variante dragute pentru copii mici si la nichiduta.ro (link aici sau aici) sau pe siteul abrakadabra.ro (link aici) – de la acesta din urma nu am comandat insa niciodata pana acum. Cu siguranta sunt si in multe alte magazine jocuri de tip domino potrivite micutilor.

EN: It might be a bit too early for this kind of games (at least the one we have is more fun for us, the adults, rather than for Alexei), but an easier version of a domino game might be interesting. We have this one, with 1000 pieces (link here) but for the moment he is only attracted by destroying the constructions, not by building them 😀 But we’ve seen that at micostore.ro there are lots of options for domino games (link here). We found nice ones for small kids at nichiduta.ro (link here or here) or at abrakadabra.ro (link here) – but we never ordered from these websites until now. For sure there are lots of others shops with domino games for small children.

Jucarii Mukibook / Mukibook Toys
RO: De-a lungul timpului am tot vorbit despre cartile senzoriale Mukibook, iar Alexei chiar a folosit o astfel de carte inca de cand era bebelus. Si acum are momente cand vrea sa se joace cu acea carte, insa mi se pare ca interesul a mai scazut pe masura ce a crescut. Insa cei de la Mukibook au acum o jucarie interesanta pentru copilasii mai mari, o strada cu masinute, spalatorie auto, pod si garaje pentru masini, speciala pentru copiii mai mari. O are si Alexei si este foarte incantat de ea, si ce mi se pare cel mai interesant este faptul ca poate fi transportatat usor in calatorii (se pliaza si asambleaza ca o carticica). Poate fi o idee foarte buna de cadou pentru copilasii mai mari. Tot ei au adus si niste ghiozdanele haioase unde pot fi puse fie plansele de activitati din carticelele Muki, fie chiar strada sau orice alte jucarii.

EN: We talked a lot about Mukibooks sensorial books over the time and Alexei used such a book when he was a baby. Even now he sometimes asks to play with that book but it seems that he is no longer so interested as he used to be. But Mukibooks now have an interesting toy for bigger children: a road with cars, a carwash, a bridge and two garages for the cars, which is great for bigger children. Alexei has it and he really likes it and what seems to be very interesting is the fact that it can be easily taken in trips (it folds and assembles like a book). It can be a good idea of a present for bigger children. They also have some funny backpacks where some of the Mukibook pages can be held, or even the road or any other toys.

Cort / Tent
RO: Am inclus aceasta idee de cadou si in articolul acesta (link aici) insa mi se pare o idee la fel de buna si pentru copilasii mai mari. Orice copil se bucura de un cort iar in cazul nostru, abia dupa 2 ani a devenit cu adevarat interesat de joaca in cort. Abia acum intelege ce este un cort si de ce este cu adevarat distractiv 🙂 Din pacate am uitat betele cortului pe care il aveam deja in Olanda, asa ca a trebuit sa il inlocuim cu un altul. Cele de la davidandthea.com, de la brandul Nobodinoz (link aici) sunt superbe, iar culorile si modelelef foarte simple (de regula sunt destul de pestrite). Mai avem deja doua produse de la Nobodinoz, doi saci de depozitat jucarii (link aici), au niste produse foarte, foarte calitative.

EN: We included this idea of Christmas presents also in this article (link here) and seems to be a good idea even for bigger children. Any child can enjoy a tent and in our case, it actually became really interesting after 2 years old. Only now he really understands what is a tent and why is this so fun 🙂 Unfortunately, we forgot the sticks of our tent in The Netherlands so we had to replace it with another one. The ones from davidandthea.com, from Nobodinoz brand (link here) are gorgeous, and the models and colors are really simple (usually tents have plenty of colors or patterns). We already have two other products from Nobodinoz, two sacks for storing toys (link here) and they have some really good and qualitive products.

Puzzle-uri / Puzzles
RO: Puzzle-urile sunt mereu de interes pentru copii 🙂 La varsta aceasta sunt inca mititei si nu pot face un puzzle normal, insa exista foarte multe variante de puzzleuri cu piese mari. Fie foarte usoare (cu doua sau trei piese maxim), fie un pic mai complicate, cu mai multe piese (dar tot asa, mari si usor de asamblat). Noi avem doua puzzleuri de podea superbe de la jucariialtfel.ro, unul cu harta lumii si unul cu spatiul, care din pacate nu mai sunt disponibile pe site. Au insa alte variante de puzzleuri de podea, cu gradina secreta (link aici), jungla salbatica (link aici), cu dinozauri (link aici) sau cu trenul Craciunului (link aici) – pe acesta chiar i l-am comandat si noi lui Alexei pentru cadoul de Mos Nicolae. Pe langa aceste puzzleuri de podea, am gasit foarte multe alte variante interesante de puzzleuri cu piese mari. Varianta aceasta de puzzle circular cu anotimpuri de la cajuki.com (link aici) sau tot de la ei cu animalute (link aici), sau variantele de beginner puzzle de la jucariialtfel.ro (link aici, aici sau aici).

EN: Children will always like puzzles 🙂 At this age they are still too young to be able to make a normal puzzle, but there are so many other options with larger pieces. Either very easy (with two or three pieces) or a little bit more complicated, with more pieces (but also large and easy to assemble). We have two gorgeous floor puzzles from jucariialtfel.ro, one with the map of the world and the other one with the space, but unfortunately none of them is available on the website now. But they have plenty of other options, with the secret garden (link here), wild jungle (link here), dinosaurs (link here). or Christmas train (link here) – we ordered this one for Alexei’s present for Saint Nicholas. Besides all these floor puzzles, we found lots of other interesting puzzles with large pieces. This circular puzzle with seasons from cajuki.com (link here) or another one with animals (link here) or even the beginner puzzles from jucariialtfel.ro (link here, here and here).

Jocurile Petit Collage / Petit Collage Games
RO: Siteul jucariialtfel.ro este distribuitorul jucariilor si jocurilor Petit Collage. Le folosim de foarte, foarte mult timp si au niste lucruri extrem de frumoase si educative. Jocuri cu piese magnetice (link aici), puzzleuri de podea (link aici), jocuri de memorie (link aici), multe jocuri sociale (link aici), mape de activitati cu stickere (link aici) si carti de joc (link aici).

EN: jucariialtfel.ro website is the distributor of the Petit Collage games and toys. We use them for quite a while and they have some really nice and educative games. Games with magnetic pieces (link here), floor puzzles (link here), memory games (link here), lots of social games (link here), activity games with stickers (link here) and all sort of cards (link here).

Figurine din fetru / Felt Figurines
RO: Am gasit figurinele acestea de la Little Universe (link aici) total intamplator. Pot fi folosite atat ca decor pentru camera copiilor cat si ca jucarii. Acum de Craciun au chiar si o colectie superba de decoratiuni facute din fetru, care pot fi adaugate cadoului celui mic 🙂 Preturile incep de la 20 lei si cresc in functie de cat de mare este figurina (se pot face si personalizat).

EN: We randomly found these felt figurines from Little Universe (link here). They can be used as a decoration for the children room but also as toys. They even have a gorgeous Christmas collection of felt decorations, which canbe added to the little one’s present 🙂 Prices start at 20 lei and they grow depending on the size of the figurine (they can even make personalized figurines).

Jucarii tricotate sau crosetate / Knitted or Crochet Toys
RO: Vecina noastra din Olanda era extrem de priceputa la crosetat si chiar avea si un micut business prin care vindea plusuri si paturici crosetate. Cand am plecat din Olanda, i-a oferit cadou lui Alexei o astfel de jucarioara si de atunci indragesc tare mult ideea de jucarie facuta manual, tricotata sau crosetata. In Romania exista contul acesta de Instagram unde se gasesc niste jucarii adorabile crosetate (link aici), insa am gasite variante pe woolly.ro , lavandiere.ro sau marucatoys.ro.

EN: Our neighbor from The Netherlands had really good crochet skills and she even had a small business where she was selling toys and crochet blankets. When we left from NL she offered such a toy to Alexei and since then I really like the idea of a handmade toy, knitted or crochet toy. In Romania, I found this Instagram account where they have adorable crochet toys (link here) but I found similar options at woolly.ro , lavandiere.ro or marucatoys.ro.

Jucarii handmade / Handmade Toys
RO: Plusuri facute in Romania, din materiale naturale (bumbac si in). mitzoko.ro este un brand nou care produce astfel de jucarii in Bucuresti.

EN: Plush toys made in Romania from natural fabrics (cotton and linen). mitzoko.ro is a new brand that produces such toys in Bucharest.

Tatuaje / Tattoos
RO: Chiar daca pare un cadou micut (cel putin comparativ cu toate celelelate mentionate anterior in acest articol), tatuajele pot fi foarte apreciate de cei mici. Ori de cate ori gaseste tatuaje noi, Alexei vrea sa isi umple picioarele si mainile cu desene 🙂 Asa ca avem mai mereu un set neinceput in casa. Acum avem unele foarte frumoase cu animalute (link aici) insa la colorazon.ro am gasit foarte, foarte multe alte variante interesante (link aici).

EN: Even though it might seem like a small present (at least compared with the other presents mentioned in this article), tattoos can be very appreciated by our little ones. Every time Alexei founds new tattoos, Alexei wants to fill his legs and arms with drawings 🙂 So we always have a new set of tattoos at home. We now have some really pretty ones with animals (link here) but at colorazon.ro we found many other interesting options (link here).

Perne Pat in forma de animalute / Cushions in the shape of animals
RO: Cand i-am amenajat camera lui Alexei, am cautat multa vreme perne dragute 🙂 In final am ales cateva in forma de luna si stelute, insa ulterior am gasit siteul mamisileah.ro unde au o multime de dragalasenii superbe. Perne in forma de diverse animalute, care pot fi atat perne cat si jucarii de plus.

EN: When we decorated Alexei’s room, we searched a lot for cute bed cushions 🙂 In the end we have chosen some in the shape of stars and moon, but then we found this website (mamisileah.ro) where they have so many gorgeous things. Cushions in the shape of different animals, that can be either cushions or even plush toys.

Sevalet / Easel
RO: Pentru copilasii carora le place sa picteze sau sa coloreze, un sevalet poate fi o idee foarte buna. Daca nu am fi avut turnul Leea Toys, care are ca accesoriu un sevalet, am fi ales probabil varianta cea mai cunoscuta si apreciata de sevalet – cea de la Ikea (link aici). Are atat tabla de scris cu creta, cat si tabla pentru markere, dar se poate pune deasupra oricarei dintre ele rola de hartie, ca sa fie un sevalet bun si pentru pictat. Insa pentru ca nu am vrut sa mai incarcam apartamentul cu un alt obiect, pentru noi a fost mai potrivita varianta sevaletului de la turnul Leea (link aici), pe care Alexei il va primi cadou de Craciun de la bunici.

EN: For children that love to paint or color, an easel can be a really good idea. If we wouldn’t have had the Leea tower, which has an easel as an accessory for the tower, we would have probably have chosen the most known and appreciated easel on the market – the Ikea one (link here). It has a blackboard that is suitable for drawing with the chalk and also a marker whiteboard, and on top of each them a paper roll can be placed and have a good easel for painting as well. But because we don’t want to fill the apartment with another object, the easel from Leea tower would be the best option for us (link here). Alexei will receive it as a present for Christmas from his grandparents.

Figurine din placaj / Ply figurines
RO: Cei de la didicraft.ro au foarte multe variante de figurine din placaj, care pot fi colorate cu carioci. De la puzzleuri la diverse jocuri, au o gama foarte variata (link aici) si la preturi accesibile.

EN: At didicraft.ro they have so many options of ply figurines, which can be colored with felt pens. From puzzles to different games, they have a large variety (link here) and accessible prices.

Sanie / Sleigh
RO: Nu avem noi cele mai inzapezite ierni in Bucuresti, dar pentru weekenduri la munte pe timp de iarna, o sanie chiar poate fi foarte utila. Alexei cel putin e foarte atras de ideea de a primi o sanie de la Mos Craciun 🙂 In prima iarna, cand Alexei avea 7-8 luni, am folosit o sanie de bebelusi, cu centura si spatar, de la Decathlon (link aici), insa acum ne este destul de greu sa facem o alegere. Am gasit foarte multe variante pentru copii mici (link aici) dar noi cred ca vom alege o sanie model clasic, pe care sa o poata folosi mai multi ani de acum inainte. Am gasit modelul acesta de la Decathlon care pare fix ce cautam noi (link aici).

EN: We don’t have the snowiest winters in Bucharest, but for a weekend getaway at the mountains during winter time, a sleigh can be useful. At least Alexei is very excited by the idea of receiving a sleigh from Santa Clause 🙂 In our first winter, when Alexei was 7-8 months old, we used a baby sleigh, with belts and back rest, from Decathlon (link here), but now it is a bit hard to make a choice. We found so many options for small children (link here) but in the end we might choose a classic model, which can be used many years from now. We found this model at Decathlon and it seems exactly what we need (link here).

Jucarii de lemn Ikea / Ikea Wooden Toys
RO: Toate, absolut toate jucariile de lemn de la Ikea sunt minunate 🙂 Noi avem cateva si fiecare au fost si sunt in continuare foarte apreciate si folosite de Alexei. Masinutele si sinele de tren (cu trenuletul aferent) sunt de departe preferatele lui, insa au multe variante de jucarii de lemn (link aici).

EN: Absolutely all wooden toys from Ikea are great 🙂 We have some of them and they have always been (and still are) very appreciatedand used by Alexei. The cars and the train tracks (with the afferent train) are by far his favourite, but there are a lot of wooden toys options (link here).

Masini Bruder / Bruder Cars
RO: Acum ceva vreme cautam o camioneta pentru Alexei (pentru ca era si inca este intr-o perioada in care e innebunit dupa camionete). si in urma unor intrebari in stories, am primit foarte multe recomandari pentru masinutele Bruder. Multi parinti ne-au spus ca sunt extrem de calitative, bine facute si foarte reale. Si intr-adevar, sunt minunate (dar destul de costisitoare). Camioneta noastra este primita cadou de la bunici, insa am vazut ca exista siteul bruderland.ro care are toate tipurile posibile si imposibile de masinute Bruder (link aici).

EN: Some time ago we were searching for a pick-up truck for Alexei (because he was and still mad about pick-up trucks) and after we posted some questions about these on our stories, we received a lot of recommendations for Bruder cars. Lots of parents told us that they are really good, qualitive cars, very real and nicely assembled. And indeed, they are gorgeous (but pretty costly). Our pick-up truck was a present from Alexei’s grandparents, but we’ve seen that there is bruderland.ro website which has all types of Bruder cars (link here).