Since my little one's first birthday produced a jackpot of new toys, I thought I'd share some of the ones we both enjoy that aren't your garden variety blinky-blinky ones. Let me start by saying that I have no affiliation with any of these companies, I'm not being paid by them.  Just because I happen to like a particular toy doesn't mean you have to run out and buy it for your child.

Rotondo by Selecta: this is what finally made sorting toys "click" with my son.  He has this sorting toy as well, which we got him months ago, but never understood that the blocks are supposed to be inserted through the shapes.  Now he still can't actually get the blocks through the correct shape without help, but he at least understands the concept now.  The Rotondo also functions as a pull toy but my kid seems to prefer to use it for sorting.

Discovery Wagon by Haba: yeah, so this is pretty expensive for a walking toy. Admittedly, my son spent the first two weeks only playing with the knobs and toys attached to it.  It's only been in the last week that he's understood that it's a walker, but now he loves scooting around with it.  I love that it's great quality and can sit out in his room without making the room look junked up.  He also sits on the seat portion of it in his room to "read" his books (although since this is on wheels, make sure the wagon is backed up against something to prevent movement if your child is sitting on it). 

My 1st Block Wagon by Holgate: there are just the right amount of wooden blocks in this set for a one year old and they're made in the U.S. (fancy that!).  Again, since my kid seems to not understand that a toy can have multiple purposes, he doesn't get that this is also a pull toy.  Even though he has other pull toys that he uses.  Whatever. He crawls over to this every morning and hands me the blocks one by one so I can build a house.  Which he then knocks down.  And then we do it again.  And again.  Take a look at the Holgate website because there's a section dedicated to Mr. Rogers' memrobelia.  Who wants a Land-of-Make-Believe Trolley?  I do!

First Blocks by Haba: these are not traditional blocks.  At all.  I'm not even sure that they should be called blocks.  My son likes them, but he doesn't "build" things like he does with the Holgate blocks.  Instead he uses them each independently from each other.  He likes pushing the little goblin in the car, throwing the ball, jingling the block that has a bell in it, etc.  But he doesn't use them all together and I don't think they're really made for that.  I included them in this list because they are pretty cool, but I will say that I did a double take when I first opened the box.  The wooden ball included is too large for the baby to fit in his mouth now, but it may not be too small a year from now.  And the bell that's inside one of the blocks?  It is securely fastened, but it would be a choking hazard if it ever came loose.  That said, I don't believe Haba has ever had a recall on any of its blocks and their quality does appear to be very good.

Step Start Walk N' Ride by Playskool: I know, I know, this is plastic.  And sort of ugly.  Here's the thing though: many of us in the city have limited space in condos and apartments.  This toy is dual purpose.  It converts from a walking toy to a ride-on toy.  So instead of toy fairly large toys in your 800 square foot unit, you can just have one.

Still to come: my review of the Bellapista by Selecta.  The age for this is technically 18 months so I'm going to wait a little bit before letting the kiddo use it.