Twin Tested & Twin Approved: Top Toddler Toys That Won't Break the Bank

Raising twin toddlers is a unique journey that brings a mix of joy and financial responsibilities. From the moment twins are born, parents are faced with the challenge of managing the costs associated with raising two children simultaneously. This challenge becomes particularly evident when it comes to purchasing essential items such as car seats and cribs, which are necessary for the safety and well-being of the twins. The financial aspect of raising twins can indeed be overwhelming, emphasizing the importance of careful budgeting and financial planning for parents.

When it comes to toys for twins, parents often find themselves navigating a delicate balance between cost and quality. While it's essential to invest in toys that are budget-friendly, it's equally important to choose toys that promote the twins' development and engagement. Parents may prioritize essential gear over toys, ensuring that the twins have everything they need for their daily care and well-being.

However, finding practical and versatile toys that not only entertain but also engage twins can be challenging. These selected toys play a significant role in the twins' lives, offering them entertainment and opportunities for learning. The right toys can stimulate the twins' creativity, cognitive skills, and physical development, providing them with a well-rounded play experience. By choosing toys that are both fun and educational, parents can ensure that their twins receive the maximum benefits from their playtime. My top toddler toys are excellent choices for gift-giving, as they not only bring joy but also contribute to their overall development and well-being but won't break the bank.

Polk-a-Dot Books

The Polk-a-Dot books have been a staple in our twin-raising journey, making perfect Easter Bunny and Santa gifts. These interactive books offer a quiet, self-directed activity that our kids have returned to countless times. They love exploring the vibrant illustrations and engaging with the tactile dots. As a teacher, I appreciate how these books promote kinesthetic learning and encourage independent play while reinforcing essential book skills. While they might be a bit on the heavy side, their entertainment value and portability make them well worth the weight, especially for long car rides or flights.

Piggie Bank Toy

While searching for unique Christmas gifts for our one-year-old twins, I stumbled upon this piggie bank toy. With so many toys from our first set, we only wanted to introduce a few new favorites. This bank has quickly become a favorite addition to our collection. Our one-year-olds are captivated by it, playing independently for extended periods. Even our three-year-olds enjoy interacting with the babies and the toy, fostering fine motor skill development. While it does produce sound, it's not overly loud or annoying, unlike many other children's toys.

Montessori Farm Toy

Our oldest twins received this wooden toy as a Christmas gift. All of our children have loved setting up the little garden with the worms on the lid. Our three year olds currently enjoy the challenge of sorting the animals through the appropriate slots. I adore this toy for its versatility, catering to a wide range of ages and developmental levels. Its all-wood construction ensures durability, and it has weathered a few tumbles without showing signs of wear.

Dimpl Pop It

When I need to keep my children's hands busy or entertained, this toy is my go-to favorite. It works wonders when our one-year-olds are getting restless on the changing table and need something to focus on. It also comes in handy during lengthy car rides, as well as at places like restaurants or church. While it may seem like a basic toy, it manages to captivate their attention for a significant amount of time. Although this toy is designed for kids under two, even our three-year-olds enjoy playing with it occasionally.

Beach Ball

Yes, you heard correctly. I highly recommend having a beach ball indoors. I have a one-year-old who loves all kinds of balls, but the beach ball is his favorite. When he was crawling, he would play with it like a cat, batting it around the house. As he started walking, he would carry it around and throw it. Due to its light weight and slow movement in the air, it's great for kids to practice throwing and kicking. Even our three-year-olds learned how to spike with the beach ball. It has been the most convenient and safest way for our very active children to enjoy playing with a ball indoors during the colder months.

Little People Animal Farm Playset

This toy was given to my oldest twins by their great-grandfather for Christmas before they turned one. Now at the age of three, they still enjoy playing with it. The younger twins also love this toy just as much. It was one of the first toys my children used to engage in pretend play, and now they are building intricate farm setups with it. It is uncommon for us to go a day without this toy being pulled out of the cupboard to be played with. I highly recommend this toy as a gift for any child aged one or older.

Capes

This gift has been incredibly popular in our home as well. Hardly a day goes by without the capes and masks being used for play. Each of my four children loves putting on the capes and masks, running around the house, and shouting, "let's save the day!" They pretend to shoot webs to capture villains or search for "damsels and dudes in distress." It's a simple and affordable way to promote imaginative play. These items require minimal storage space and are convenient to keep.

Doctor Kit

My kids enjoy playing with a doctor kit as another dress-up toy. They enjoy checking my ears and temperature regularly to ensure my well-being. Young kids often have memorable experiences when visiting the doctor, and with four children under four, they have frequent doctor visits. Therefore, it is understandable that they want to imitate doctors. In addition to the fun gadgets, playing with the doctor kit enables kids to practice showing empathy and assisting others through pretend play.

Cookie Kit

About a year and a half ago, the Easter Bunny delivered this toy to our home, and it has been cherished ever since. You might have observed that most of the toys I endorse are from Melissa and Doug. I have discovered that this toy brand is the most resilient and keeps our children engaged for extended periods. These toys have also proven to be age-appropriate over time. Following a thorough inspection by our little doctors, our aspiring chefs typically treat me to a couple of cookies.

Stacking Cups

Since they were ten months old, these cups have kept all of my children entertained. Initially, they would stack them inside one another, but now they enjoy building towers with them. While constructing the towers, we discuss colors, patterns, and order. We also incorporate them into at-home occupational therapy sessions for my three-year-old son who injured his hand recently. Using the cups is an effective method to develop and strengthen fine and gross motor skills starting at a young age.

Wash and Dry Dish Set

This wash and dry dish set, like many other toys mentioned, is regularly used by the three-year-olds and one-year-olds. It is a key element in their imaginative play, whether they are pretending to wash dishes, serve meals, or set their own table. The color coordination has also helped our children learn colors, as they enjoy matching the dishes with their respective color groups. All pieces of this set are sturdy and durable, having endured the test of time and four kids under the age of four.

Writing Tablet

These LCD writing tablets have proven to be a valuable tool for moments requiring quiet play. We bring them along on car rides, to restaurants, and to church. Our children all enjoy drawing and doodling on them. They offer a mix of an etch-a-sketch and rainbow scratch paper. Despite being battery-operated, ours have lasted for several years without needing a battery replacement.

Exploring the Emotional Impact: The Grief Journey of Parents of Twins

Many people wonder about my reaction when I learned I was pregnant with twins. It's challenging for me to respond to this question as there isn't a single emotion that can fully convey the range of feelings I went through. During my first pregnancy, I felt isolated and anxious due to Covid restrictions. I experienced relief upon hearing healthy and strong heartbeats. I felt thankful and shocked considering our previous struggles with conception and the possibility of not being able to have children. After all the initial emotions subsided, I gradually came to the realization that the journey into parenthood that I had envisioned was not the one I was embarking on.

When we decided to conceive again, our intention to have one baby to complete our family and experience raising just one child at a time. I hoped to explore aspects of parenting that I missed out on with our first twins. Although we were aware of the possibility of having twins again, the chances seemed slim. When we discovered we were expecting twins for a second time, I immediately began to wonder how we would handle four children under the age of two. The logistical and financial aspects seemed daunting. I was also not ready to tackle another challenging postpartum period. I must admit, I felt a sense of sadness. While I am thankful for our four healthy babies, I soon realized that my journey through parenthood would always be vastly different from what I had envisioned and from what the majority of parents experience.

Understanding the Grief of Unrealized Expectations

Let me clarify that the sorrow I felt does not stem from having twins, but rather from the realization that my parenting journey is different from what I had envisioned. It's the sorrow of not experiencing parenthood in the same way as most others do. The initial year of raising twins was all about survival for me. I never felt as if I could enjoy the newborn phase as I had once imagined. Simple acts like rocking my baby to sleep seemed out of reach. Breastfeeding didn't unfold as I had pictured it, given the demands of feeding two babies. Activities like mommy-and-me music or swimming classes were out of the question. Just getting the babies ready for a stroll around the neighborhood felt like running a marathon. The first year of parenting twins was grueling, scary and overwhelming. I felt I had missed out on truly enjoying the newborn stage.

I also felt a strong disconnection to many of my friends who were singleton parents. While all were trying to be supportive by offering advice and support, the advice was often not feasible when there were two babies rather than one. Things like feeding routines, nap time schedules, getting out of the house and traveling seemed exponentially more difficult. It was difficult for others to understand why we were so dependent on our routines and schedule. My husband and I desperately wanted to find connection and talk to others about our unique experiences in twin parenting but quickly began to feel impossible to relate to within our circles.

Finding Community

As a result, I decided to connect with other mothers of multiples. I was curious to find out if I was alone in experiencing this sense of "twin grief" and feeling isolated from parents with only one child. It turned out that this was a recurring theme in almost every conversation I had with other mothers of multiples. I finally felt understood and acknowledged. As I continued these discussions, common threads emerged. We all had to adjust our expectations of what parenthood should be like. We all came to terms with the fact that our approach to parenting had to be much different from that of others had experienced. We couldn't follow the same practices as other families and that's ok. People will always give us well intentioned advice but it often times is not feasible with twins. We joke around about all the silly things people say to people of twins and we forge our own path in parenthood. We were all figuring it out on our own and taking it day by day. There is solace in knowing that you are not alone.

Finding Acceptance and Joy

Although it was initially easy for me to focus on the challenges of twin parenthood, I have since learned to change my perspective to recognize the unique opportunities that come with having twins. Instead of dwelling on what we might be missing out on because of having twins, I now focus on the special experiences that having twins brings. I find joy in being able to provide my children with a companion to share every aspect of life with. They will witness each other's life milestones, share in each other's joys, and support one another through sorrows. I find joy in the moments when people stop me in public to admire the beauty of our unique family. I treasure the sight of my twins giggling in their cribs when they should be napping. I also appreciate the simple joy of buying coordinating outfits for my children, as there is nothing quite as adorable as two sets of twins dressed in matching clothes.

For new parents of twins who may be reading this, it's important to understand that experiencing twin grief is completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Remember that there are many other parents of twins who are ready to talk and share their own struggles with twin grief. If you find it hard to connect with other parents of multiples in person, consider starting online. Join Facebook groups, follow other twin parents on Instagram, and don't hesitate to reach out to them. Few things bring more joy to parents of twins than talking to others going through similar situations. Personally, I have found that creating a community has been the most effective form of therapy for me. You are not alone in your parenting journey, and I can assure you that other parents of multiples have experienced and are experiencing the same feelings as you. It's important that we support and uplift each other in the midst of nap times and piles of laundry.

Navigating Postpartum Depression with Twins: My Personal Journey

The first few weeks with twins are a whirlwind – double the feedings, double the diaper changes, and yes, double the sleep deprivation. For me, the joy of becoming a new twin mom was undeniably present, but it was accompanied by an undercurrent of sadness and a feeling of being overwhelmed. My world had been completely flipped upside down and I did not have the coping strategies to turn it right side up. This experience made me realize that while all new moms face a risk of postpartum depression, twin moms face unique challenges. So, let's chat about what postpartum can really be like for us, how we can recognize the signs of postpartum depression/anxiety, and most importantly, how we can navigate those early days together.

We had our first set of twins at the tail end of the Covid pandemic. We also brought them home during the coldest week of the year, experiencing negative twenty and thirty degree wind chills. I was a first time mom, recovering from a c-section, with no idea of what taking care of one, let alone two newborns really entailed. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. Fortunately, I have a mother who is extremely helpful and supportive that lives twenty minutes away. She stayed with us for the first few nights and came over whenever I felt I needed her during my maternity leave. My husband was also working from home so he supported during the day as well. However, none of us had any experience with twins. It was a learning curve for all of us.

I was cranky, irritable and anxious most of the time. I felt like I was continuously walking through a fog. I began to argue more and more with my husband. I attributed this to the stress of trying to take care of two newborns and being a first time mom. I knew postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety were a thing but my ego got in the way and convinced myself that there was no way I had PPD/PPA. I kept thinking, it will get better once the babies start sleeping longer at night. I will be less anxious once they are in their cribs and not our rooms. I'll be less irritable now that I'm done pumping. It was always the next milestone that would be the magic bullet to me feeling better. In my head, it was all external reasons for why I was feeling the way I was. I thought that if I admitted that it was something internally causing me to feel this way, then I was a bad mom or somehow broken.

It wasn't until my babies were eight months old that I felt as if the "fog" began to lift. There was no magic transition or developmental change that triggered it. I just slowly began to feel aspects of myself come back to me. Things that had been so triggering several months ago no longer bothered me. I was less argumentative with my husband. I had more patience when dealing with fussy babies. I felt like I could breathe again. It was at this moment that I finally admitted to myself that what I was experiencing was probably some form of postpartum depression or anxiety. This felt so freeing but as I reflected, I felt such sadness for the past me who did not seek help or support. Would my postpartum experience have looked different? Would I have felt more enjoyment in new motherhood?

When our boys were a little over one years old, we decided to try for one more. We were ecstatic when we found out we were pregnant again. I was petrified when I learned that it was twins again. I wasn't necessarily scared to have two babies again. We knew what to expect. I was scared to experience postpartum again. I was terrified I would walk back into the depression and anxiety fog. I did not want to go to that dark place again. Double the babies means double the hormone changes in postpartum. It thought it was almost inevitable that I would be faced with the same challenges.

What was different the second time around was my mindset. I felt armed with knowledge and experience to know what to look for and expect. I promised myself that if I felt like I was feeling remotely like I did with the boys that I would seek support. I talked to my husband about monitoring my mood and behavior in case I was not able to recognize it in my self. I was still scared, but I felt better equipped.

The first month of our second twins' lives was a whirlwind. I found I had Influenza the day after my c-section, which resulted in needing to quarantine from my babies during the hospital stay. When they were about two weeks only, our baby boy had gotten a bad stomach bug which resulted in a three night stay at the hospital. I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding at three weeks postpartum followed by another hospital stay for our baby boy for RSV. Our first month with four under two was mental and emotional toll I had not anticipated. However, I was not feeling the anxiety and irritability I had felt with our first set of twin. I thought this was a good sign.

It was during a night feeding, while I was trying to console an upset and hungry baby that I felt my perspective shift. In an instance, I felt overwhelmed and my mind was thinking "get this baby away from me." I mind was screaming at me to get away from the situation. I put my baby down back in her bassinet and had a full meltdown. My husband was up as well feeding our other baby and watched my response. It was such an extreme change from my natural response in those situations that both my husband and I acknowledged that something was not right. My initial reaction was to feel defeated but remembered my promise to myself that I would not let myself walk into the PPD fog again. I called first thing in the morning when my OBGYN's phone lines opened. I was seen the same day and started on the lowest dosage of Lexapro.

Acknowledging that I was struggling with postpartum depression and getting on the right medication for me was pivotal in shifting my experience with my second set of twins. Yes, I was still sleep deprived and I was learning how to embrace my new body, but I still felt like myself. While I am not proud of every moment within my postpartum journey, I am proud of the person and mother I have become. I am stronger and more confident than I have ever been. I feel compelled to openly discuss PPD/PPA and talk about my experiences in hopes it supports other new mothers and their babies.