Yoto ages with them much better. The tonie is really limited on content, difficult to store the content characters, and the cost adds up way more over using make your own cards with the Yoto. That being said, independent use for the Tonie can start at like two and they can’t really get a hang of the Yoto very well until 3+.
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We like our Yoto! We got it last year when the mini was temporarily recalled so I got the big one. I would like the small one even more!
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We love the tonie box. The girls use it every day.
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Soooo… maybe I should wait until her birthday? Or might she be able to use it with light assistance from adults or older kids? (Eg, on an airplane, or while the adults are talking at a family gathering.)
I would be more inclined to jump on it if I thought it would travel better. The characters are so awkward!
We just opted for parent assistance. Latte has had her large Yoto since her second bday.
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The mini is great though. She brings that on every drive to and from school. And up and dow stairs every day. Love that thing.
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LOL, so you have both?
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Spore likes our Yoto mini but isn’t obsessed with it. I bought it at age 2.5 and he didn’t really use it independently until age 3.5, and even now he probably uses it maybe once week. Maybe that would change if I spent time to record some more stories in my voice.
Do you know anyone/where you could try it out? At Cuckoo’s age, he really liked his scoot bike, a manual/semi-automatic whisk with a spring + hot chocolate mix, magnatiles, and big stepping stones to rearrange.
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@Economista’s house has Tonie boxes but I don’t know anyone who has a Yoto. We don’t have room for anything big at our house and she doesn’t seem to like magnatiles.
I mentioned the Yoto idea to my dad, we’ll see if he runs with it and go from there. He has been emailing me about what to get the kids and we travel to see my parents, so something that can go in a suitcase is ideal.
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Yes! My mom got her the big one, then we bought the mini when it came out and hit a super good deal- it was like, Black Friday plus their drop plus a coupon situation, ended up getting it for $45 which is the lowest I’ve ever seen it drop to, still. No regrets.
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FWIW Pipsqueak didn’t like magna tiles until she was closer to 3. She’s not a “puzzle” kid in general and has always been more into pretend play or gross motor activities. When she had the dexterity and brain development to start turning the magna tiles into houses for other pretend play pieces she started using them more.
If you’re looking for other ideas: we got years of play with a couple little people sets starting much younger. And baby dolls with a bed /crib (I got a cloth decorative storage box from home goods which has been the perfect crib) we’re huge hits at our house. A subscription to highlights hello or their next age level is a fun Christmas gift too.
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Wow, that’s an awesome deal! That’s a real endorsement 
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Ravioli is getting into these lately! My mom got him the bus and some extra kids for it. I wish it didn’t make sounds/do lights but maybe I just remove the batteries tee hee…
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We have a family hand me down doll bed that we’re going to get a little mattress for! For the old Bitty Baby she has.
My dad got her the full size Yoto. I was on the fence so I just said “Yoto/Yoto mini” and let him pick. Should help keep her out of trouble at their house!
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At 2, Latte was suuuuuper into all the green toys trucks. Esp this pack of 3 that come with little dog driver things. Fairly small (while not being a choking hazard) and got tons of play out of those.
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Duplo, plasticine and scissors are the winners here! Plus plastic figures (dinos, predator animals, superheros) getting into trains and cars and kitchen stuff. I threw out the kitchen and am using a box as a stove and it is way safer and gets more use.
Rope ladder of course but I think your house is smaller
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Oh yes, big plus one here. We had lots of farm animals and wild safari animals that all got lots of play.
Here’s the particular green toy set I mentioned-
Amazon.com: Green Toys Construction Vehicle - 3 Pack CB : Toys & Games
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Ooh, these are all the suggestions I didn’t know I needed. We are exchanging gifts in the family in 3 weeks for Complicated Family Reasons and all I’ve bought is some candy for the stockings.
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How long do we wait out this 4:30AM wakeup thing before trying to “fix” it? He’s on day 3 of an antibiotic for the ear infection. Doesn’t seem to be in pain when he wakes up. But he’s never been great at going back to sleep if waking up after 4. His internal clock is definitely set early but 4:30 is TOO early. He’s only 2! Also what do we try. Earlier bedtime? Less in control of naps which seem to be normal if daycare reports are to be believed. Argh
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