Eleanor (9 months) is pretty easily entertained by any new object that she encounters, but often she quickly seems to tire of them.  I have compiled a list of items that seem to be her go-to favorites (at least for the last few months):

1) Käthe Kruz Rainbow Baby Grabbing Ring Doll

This is actually a hand-me-down from Eleanor’s cousin, and it has proven to be a great toy for E.  When she was smaller, she loved how easy it was to grip the wooden ring, as well as chewing on the ring.  Now she is beyond fascinated with the antennae–she will grip the doll with one hand, grab the strings of the antennae with her thumb and forefinger on the other hand.  It truly keeps her entertained for good chunks of time.  She also enjoys gnawing on the head of the doll.

2) Creatures Bath Set from Boon

Eleanor enjoys the bath set, but specifically the weird yellow creature head.  She likes waving it around and chewing on the weird protrusion (not the rooster comb part, but the other thing sticking out).  I get many strange looks and “what the heck is that thing, anyway?” comments from friends and family, but Eleanor loves her bath toy and so I just go with it.

3) Dominoes

Eleanor loves to play with dominoes.  She likes to dump them out, bang on the tin, wave dominoes around and bang them together.  When I’m trying to get something done, I can usually plop her down on the floor with our tin of dominoes and she is content for a good chunk of time.  It’s great.

Not necessarily the most conventional list, but these are a few items that work for us.  What toys are the go-to toys for your babies/toddlers?