What to Get the Kids?

THE PARENTS ON STAFF at the Strategist have their own chat room-a place where these shopping obsessives share among themselves the not-so-attractive-but-attention-holding toy racetrack that was a huge hit and kids' magazines that actually get read. We decided to infiltrate this brain trust and ask them to talk children's gifts: the ones theirs have asked for directly this year, the toys that actually get the most use around the house, and what they'll be buying over the holidays.

Buying for children age 2 and under is difficult. What have you guys done well with?

WINNIE YANG, Senior Editor: Babies will play with garbage. They would rather have the wrapping paper than the thing in the package, but something that makes them feel like a grown-up is good. So that's a good age to get a kid a scooter or a balance bike.

LIZA CORSILLO, Senior Writer: Yes-my parents are getting Arlo, my 1-year-old, the Scuttlebug, and we're very excited about that.

ALEXIS SWERDLOFF, Deputy Editor: Does anyone have that Rody? That is one of the things I have been contemplating getting Eve, who is 2.

W.Y.: We have Rody! Two is a great age for Rody. There's something about its round, bulbous shape and its rubberiness, as well as its wall-eyed stare, that is really appealing. And it helps kids develop their balance, gross motor skills, and coordination.

AILBHE MALONE, Senior Editor: I think the best gift is one that can be put away with ease. I don't have tons of space! For her 1st birthday, Aoife got from one of my friends a set of three sleepsuits for ages 18-to-24 months that I fell upon like manna a few months later when I realized she had grown out of her PJs literally overnight.