Looking for something "toddler proof" to go around the xmas tree

[malibu43]

Well, last year I set my HO scale stuff up under the tree for the first time in like 15 years. My son was 6 months old and like to watch it run for short periods of time. He wasn't mobile yet and just sat there for the most part.

Well, he's certainly mobile now. Mobile, curious, climbing, smashing, throwing, and eating. All the things a toddler should be. So it looks like my HO stuff is going to spend another Christmas boxed up.

I was Toys R Us this weekend and saw this:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3342341#showReviews

And started thinking that maybe we could get something in $50 price range to run around the tree. Turns out this one has horrible reviews, but maybe there's something better out there.

Anyone have any suggestions? It should be relatively tough (all/mostly plastic) and something that I wouldn't care about breaking if it did. It should be something that my son can "enjoy" now, not something that is an "investment" that he'll appreciate later* (he'll get some HO stuff when the time comes).

This time of year pretty much every store sells some sort of train to go around a xmas tree. I'm hoping maybe some folks here can point out the better ones or ones to stay away from.

Thanks!

* Of course, if it meets the other requirements and is still an investment, then that is great!

** Oh, and as I look at some options online, I realize we DON'T want something that has to play music and make obnoxious train sounds as it runs! AHHH!

 

[ianacole]

I'd consider some of the larger ones you can find at ToysRUs...the G scale stuff. Plastic, not a huge investment to lose, but being larger it's going to be harder to manhandle. I've seen some in the mall toy stores (not seeing it on the site), remote control, with a steam loco, couple of cars and a caboose for $99, if I recall.

Something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-North-Star-G-Scale-Train-/300771202760?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item46075c56c8
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Denver-Rio-Grande-Western-Complete-Set-Extra-Car-and-Track-/320982878981?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4abc120b05
http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-Scale-LARGE-electric-train-5-cars-huge-TRACK-battery-operated-rio-grande-/251134238427?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3a78c45edb

Or even something like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Train-Set-Denver-Rio-Grande-W-Oval-Track-Smoking-Engine-Battery-Powered-/110953197328?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item19d5536f10

 

[fcwilt]

NOTHING in this world is TODDLER proof! <g>

 

[tootnkumin]

That Toys R Us one also has a warning about Choking Hazard. Not for under 3 years.
Something else to consider.

Actually might apply more so to HO, the way bits fall off them these days.

 

[malibu43]

I'd consider some of the larger ones you can find at ToysRUs...the G scale stuff. Plastic, not a huge investment to lose, but being larger it's going to be harder to manhandle. I've seen some in the mall toy stores (not seeing it on the site), remote control, with a steam loco, couple of cars and a caboose for $99, if I recall.

Something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-North-Star-G-Scale-Train-/300771202760?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item46075c56c8
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Denver-Rio-Grande-Western-Complete-Set-Extra-Car-and-Track-/320982878981?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4abc120b05
http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-Scale-LARGE-electric-train-5-cars-huge-TRACK-battery-operated-rio-grande-/251134238427?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3a78c45edb

Or even something like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Train-Set-Denver-Rio-Grande-W-Oval-Track-Smoking-Engine-Battery-Powered-/110953197328?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item19d5536f10

Thanks. The first two might look a little too "nice" for this application. The last two are pretty much exactly what I'm looking for though!

NOTHING in this world is TODDLER proof! <g>

True! That's why I don't want too spend much money on it. I have learned not to have nice things for the time being!

That Toys R Us one also has a warning about Choking Hazard. Not for under 3 years.
Something else to consider.

Actually might apply more so to HO, the way bits fall off them these days.

I'm amazed when I walk through the store at how many things say "3+". Like, almost everything. Even Duplo Legos. I don't even think I can get one of those in my mouth.

My wife and I have agreed that he can have some 3+ toys, as long as we apply some logic and good responsible parenting along with them.

 

[Cjcrescent]

I not telling you what to do, but this discussion has reminded me of our Christmases of the past and now.

When my kids were that age, I was able to get a G-gauge set from LGB. We set it up, loco and 2 cars for them and they loved it.

That was 30 years ago, and we still set up that same set every year. That set made it thru 2 toddlers then, and now a Grandson who will be 3 this year. He loves it as well!

 

[malibu43]

My grandson was about 18 Months when I started setting my HO stuff back up. They learn quick that if they want to see the train run, they can't touch. I had an engine he could run that I didn't care if it got hurt (25 year old LifeLike Diesel). I found if they can have some control, (read: monitored play), they tend to know limits pretty quickly.

I have actually thought about grabbing an Athearn F7 (no small parts to break) and a few cars with horn hooks. While it would be durable, it wouldn't really be something he can play with anytime soon. My hope is that with something bigger, he can at least touch it or something...