Toys A La Carte or Play Boxes for the Registry?
Whereas many parents love to register for our first-year baby toys off the shelf (what self-respecting NYC parent can resist the taxi rattle for instance!), we also offer play boxes for the parent who feels overwhelmed by choice and wants an easy way to cover all their developmental bases.
In this article, we'll talk about why you might go a la carte and why a play box might make sense.
TLDR
Go a la carte and you call every shot - color, material, personality, the exact skills you're building toward - usually after a quick chat with a Babesta associate. Go with a play box (we carry Lalo, all Plan Toys made) and a full year of developmental stages is solved for you in advance, which is a registry favorite for parents already toast from picking a crib, stroller, and car seat. Neither is wrong - it's personalization vs. peace of mind.
The Case for A La Carte
We're a big fan for a la carte toy buying, because you're able to select the vibe, color scheme, materials and skills to be developed. Although play boxes tend to align with developmental stages, having a quick conversation with a Babesta associate will get you to the same place, with each item hand-selected by you.
There are so many fun teethers, for instance, that you might want over a play box selection that is meant to appeal to the most people in general. We say give your toy selection a little personality (and have fun with it). If sushi is your jam, get a LouLou Lollipop sushi teether for your little one. If you're in the midst of a major pickle craving, then you've got your answer (the Pickle Chew Crew by Itzy Ritzy!).
The Case for a Subscription Toyboxes
There's no doubt, an age-defined play box makes the toy situation easier for new parents who are already feeling spent after putting so much time into picking the right crib, stroller, and car seat. These are very registry-friendly! We carry Lalo - and they do a great job of curating age-appropriate toys for babies in their first two years (and everything is made by Plan Toys - a trusted sustainable wooden toy brand we've carried for over a decade - so you know the quality is there). Covering all your child's developmental stages in one easy box can be just the relief you need.
Babesta's Take
We'd always err on the side of personalization (because it's fun!), but getting overwhelmed by all the new decisions you need to make for your baby is real, so we totally understand why the adding the pre-selected playboxes to your registry could make more sense for you. When it comes to toys, as long as they're safe and age appropriate, you do you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I actually add play boxes to my Babesta registry?
Yes, and you don't have to commit to the whole year to do it. Register for play boxes by stage (0-12 weeks, 3-4 months, 5-6 months, etc.) or add all six boxes at once to cover the full first year in one shot.
Can I mix a la carte toys and play boxes on the same registry?
Absolutely: Most of our registry parents do exactly this: a play box or two for the big developmental milestones plus a handful of a la carte picks (hello taxi rattle) for personality.
Which option cuts down on toy clutter better for a small apartment?
A la carte, generally, since you're only bringing in what actually earns shelf space rather than a full box's worth at once. If clutter is your main concern, the sweet spot is pairing one curated play box with short, deliberate a la carte list rather than stacking several boxes.
