Hi Mamas, Just wondering if anyone has any gift ideas for me, maybe something your child loves? My daughter is turning 4 in November, and then there will be more gift giving at Christmastime. She really doesn't ask for anything, and is really not into dolls (tried that last year). Any ideas? She's a bright kid, and likes making things, books, and music. This is obviously not a huge problem, but I'd really appreciate any ideas.
If budget is tight, you can always ask for memberships to zoo, museum, botanic garden, etc. Since you're SAHM you can get to enjoy them. And she won't care or notice if the gifts under the tree are expensive, or craft kits, etc. Enjoy!
Crayons or colored pencils and coloring books (try to get ones nicer than the 99 cent cheepies, she'll appreciate it more). Playdough and the toys that go with. Finger paint (if your up to dealing with the mess). And how about some duplo building blocks (Lego but bigger) - they're not just for boys!
Since she likes music, a CD she can listen too, a music video (Wiggles or some similar thing), or a 'piano' (the kind you find in the toy aisle) could also be big hits.
Both my older daughters loved and now my almost 4 year old daughter loves the LeapFrog LeapPad. I love it because when I'm at a loss for a gift, a new LeapPad book is the easy answer! Also, all of my children love the toys you can get at learning stores. But best of all, the gem find of the year is what's called a Plasma Car...they are so neat! You wiggle the steering wheel and they go and go on their own...it's hard to describe. I really suggest you check them out...they run about $50 on Amazon, $60 in our local specialty toy store.
You can take her to (or give her a gift cert) to Build a Bear. She can pick her own animal, stuff it, pick out accessories for it, they put hearts in it and can even put a sound or saying inside for her. My daughter LOVED that for her 4th birthday (we even did a party there and they were awesome!)
Good luck!
C.
My niece is very creative and loves to perform, I got her this tutu set http://store.urbanbabyrunway.com/coseforgi.html and she loves it. And now I just saw the little toy wand they have, I wish I saw it then!
I will re-iterate what some others have said. Anything Leapfrog. Especially at this age, you will be amazed at how fast she will learn with these toys. My kids both loved the Leapster. It is a great "big kid" present, and the games go on sale all of the time. Look at their web sight. They are having clearance specials on lots of stuff, and free shipping.
Does your daughter currently receive any magazines? My daughter, who will be 4 in January, gets National Geographic Little Kids and absolutely LOVES it! She learns a lot from it and loves the "Wild Cards" that come with it. There are also fun activities and experiments in each issue. It comes every two months so it's not super overwhelming, but definitely exciting when it arrives in the mailbox!
There are several different magazines out there for preschool age children to choose from.
Good luck!
My girls are 8 and 6 now and still love to dress up. Since Halloween is Saturday, I would get to the store for the 50% off costumes early next week and make her a dress up box. I love to watch my girls and 4 year old son be creative and play in their dress up box.
You could give her certificates (that you make yourself) with photos of activities that you can do together. Depending on where you live, activities could include: a children's museum, an aquarium, the movies, a lunch or dinner "date," children's theater, or swimming. Make it fun and perhaps do something new and different for one or two activities.
I did this when the neighbor girl turned 5- probably work for 4 too- I took her to the dollar store and let her pick out 5 toys - one for each year old she was. She picked out about 10 and then sorted through them for the 5 she really wanted. She thought it was great, everything she got was something she wanted, and I didn't spend a buch of money on something that was going to get shoved in the bottom of the toybox.
My son (also just barely 4) feel in love with Wedgits - they are a funky building toy he found at a place place and tons of kids, both boys and girls, loved them. You can find them on amazon. We are getting him some for Christmas.
try lds family resources. They have lots of fun ideas for gifts, learning games, etc.
My boys have been asking for moon sand for years (since it first got big on the TV). We've got a big tub of play doh & accessories though, so they're not getting any. I found the play doh at Walmart a couple of years ago for $2 for an 8 pack-it was a special buy. If she loves creating, give her something she can spend hours creating with! When my nieces & nephews came last I bought 3 packs of googly eyes, a bag of feathers (multi-colored), pipe cleaners, foam stickers... you could buy her an art kit (homemade) & sort it into baggies for her which go into a clear tub. The dollar stores are a great source of crafty stuff too-I got 3 stencil packs (24 in all I think) for $1 each.
Our kids love their Leapster and Legos. Puzzles are a big hit, too. Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Memory are a lot of fun, too. She might be ready to start some more basic games like Uno, too. Have fun shopping!
