Baby Registry Part V of VI- Activity and Toys
A guide by Sophia Lin, Critical and Working mom of an active boy

Toys: A word about toys. Different babies like different toys. Expensive toys do not mean better toys. My boy's favorite toy when he was a baby was an inexpensive stuffed bee with various colors. Now, his favorite toy is a blue sand shovel (came in the sand activity bucket) and the FisherPrice stacker and the beach ball (cost $.80 at Walmart). He's also perfectly happy playing with anything in the house: empty water bottles, magazines, zip lock containers, remote control and cell phone. He even points the remote at the ceiling fan and TV. So try different toys before you buy.

Mobile: 'Deluxe Symphony-In-Motion - Zoo Mobile' Best mobile ever! Better than the one that matches your crib. Some of those are designed for parents and baby only sees the dangling animal feet. This one has sounds and movements. He liked it so much that he didn't want to get out of the crib.

Playmat: Gymini 'Gymini Super Deluxe Light and Music' This seemed like a good idea; however my son didn't like to lie on his back to play with the toys. We tried for a couple of weeks and then gave up.
Starter Toys 'Baby's First Toys' wonderful set of starter toy, which has almost everything you need.

Stationary Entertainer 'SmartSteps Exersaucer Entertainer' Best thing ever. Allows me to do other things while he plays for good 20-30min. The only thing is that the electronic parts break easily. The other choice is Bouncin' Baby Play Place
Amazon doesn't sell it but Baby Center and the Right start carries it. http://www.games-toy.com/toys/bouncin-baby-play-place.php
This is the coolest activity center i've found so far. The seat spins all the way around to give curious hands access to a click-clack car, pop-up dog house, spin-and-rattle swing set, teeter-totter, flower teether, and more. Once your child starts walking, the Play Place converts to a figure-eight race track; detach the click-clack car and get ready to roll.

Leap Tad 'Hug & Learn Baby Tad' Great alternative to stuffed animals. He hugs and kisses it and presses the button and Tad talks/sings to him.

Discovery Ball 'Spanish Discovery Ball: Bola Explorada' Roll the ball and learn ABC's too.

Stacker 'Dance Baby Dance- Classical stacker' Amazing toy. Keeps my hyperactive boy mesmerized.
'Wiggle Ball'
'Tiny Love Trio'
Ride On Toy: ToysRUs has these ride on toys in the back for $15. They are nicer and sturdier than the walker. It has buttons that plays 3 different songs and a backrest that will prevent baby from falling backwards. Also doubles as a walker. For girls, they have a mermaid/pony one. For boys, I bought a firetruck themed one.

62-Piece Fun Foam Numbers & Letters Mat Set '60-Piece Fun Foam Numbers & Letters Mat Set' This is great if you have hardwood floor, esp when they start standing/walking. He also loves to take it apart and chew on it.

Learning Table'LeapStart Learning Table'

Activity Cart by doug and Melissa: This rolling activity center packs endless play possibilities into one compact, well-constructed wooden cart. Drop colorful shapes through matching holes, practice counting with rows of sliding beads, stack blocks and knock them down, string laces through hole-punched animal cards, learn ABCs with magnetic letters, get creative with nuts and bolts...There's even a storage compartment and drawers for organizing equipment. This is available at Babycenter.com or The Right Start store.

Toy storage: 'Storage Bins' These are great for storing toys. Primary color for boys and Pastels for girls. He takes them down and plays with the toys. He even plays with the bins. Original idea is to teach him that he can only take out one bin at a time and put back the toys before he takes the next bin.

Swing 'Fisher-Price Aquarium Take-Along Swing' Great portable swing.

Videos:
I bought the whole set of Baby Einstein DVD's and he's not interested in them at all (ok, maybe 5 minutes). I don't blame him because they're boring to me also. I've heard from others that their baby is mesmerized by them. My boy loves Sesame Street and any singing videos. He'll start clapping and rocking before the video comes on. If you start singing the songs, he'll look at the TV. So before you splurge, try different videos and see what your baby likes. Right now, I can only recommend Sesame Street videos: 123 Count with me, 25th & 35th anniversary celebration are great videos (even I like them). I did not like the Exercise video.

Products mentioned include:
 

Toys
1.		Deluxe Symphony-In-Motion - Zoo Mobile by Tiny Love
2.		Gymini Super Deluxe Light and Music by Tiny Love
3.		Baby's First Toys by Sassy
4.		SmartSteps Exersaucer Entertainer by Evenflo
5.		Hug & Learn Baby Tad by LeapFrog
6.		Spanish Discovery Ball: Bola Explorada by LeapFrog
7.		Dance Baby Dance- Classical stacker by Fisher-Price
8.		Wiggle Ball
9.		Tiny Love Trio by Tiny Love
10.		60-Piece Fun Foam Numbers & Letters Mat Set by D&S Marketing
11.		LeapStart Learning Table by LeapFrog
12.		Storage Bins
13.		Fisher-Price Aquarium Take-Along Swing by Fisher Price