I never struggled with what to buy my oldest. I could see her interests grow as she was exposed to new things and toys. Also, we were so overdue for more advanced toys by age three, I had to hold back, not try to come up with things. Now, with my second daughter we already have so many things; doll houses, kitchen sets, tea sets, dress up......I don't seem to be able to detect her advancements and interests in new things like I was with her sister. I have asked her what she wants and she has told me that she wants a "new born baby" like her sister has. Great, $17 at Walmart. Thats the only idea I can get out of her. But she just does not seem that into her other dolls, so i hope thats what she really wants. Truth is she is getting a real new born baby brother 7 days before her birthday! But I want to spend more than $20 bucks on her.
What are some things your three -year -old has really enjoyed? My little girl is girlie, loves to change her clothes and dress up all day long, into pretending to be a princess (not something I relish fostering), and crafts. And yes we own a huge drawer full of princess costumes already. Thanks all for any ideas. I'm overrun with getting ready for new baby and will likely need to shop on line, though i'd love to let her pick some things out at the toy store since i'm stumped, just afraid I'm going to run out of time for that.
Also, she loved her cousins polly pockets, but is that a good idea with a new baby on the way (chockable parts)?
Get her the baby doll and accessories. I would not worry about how much you spend. Trust me a three year old does not care. If it is something she wants and it is $2 that's all that matters.
What about more active outdoor type toys? My neighbors daughter has a lot of the girlie things but recently took up soccer and gymnastics. How about a little tumbling mat or some outdoor games? Or a little tent with a sleeping bag? Check out creativekidstuff.com. They have a lot of unique ideas too. Or maybe just an afternoon out alone with mom after baby comes? :)
I'm getting my soon to be 3 yo a FisherPrice doctor's kit. Lately she has been concerned with the family's boo-boos. :) And a Hug and Oink Peppa Pig stuffed doll.
My daughter isn't into dolls much, but she LOVES her Nenuco baby doll. It's not one of those very creepy ones either. Some of those baby dolls I have seen would give me nightmares! lol
My 3 year old girl has been BEGGING for a stomp rocket. She also really wants some of those girl legos. She also loves playing with Little People. She saw a toy pinball machine the other day and really really wanted it. She is very excited by her new camera grandma gave her. It's a real camera made for very young kids...it's pink. It comes with it's own case which she loves to carry around. She loves her fishing rod and she loves her umbrella.
I think 3 is too young to really ask them what they want - they don't really know, they give you an answer, and then it's often something that's not appropriate or possible. In a way, it takes away the fun of getting a surprise gift because kids know what's coming. No fun in that. Moreover, when they get something from Grandma or from a friend at a party, they don't know how to react to something chosen with love and forethought - they think gifts are only about a Gift Registry! Of course we all want to get them something they will like, but sometimes they grow into a gift over time. Just because they haven't seen it before or requested it or watching it on a commercial doesn't mean they won't enjoy it!
I also don't think you have to value the gift at what you spent on it - if it's $30 and wrong, vs. $5 and right, who's to judge? You can't put a dollar value on fun and learning.
I think it might make sense to go in a different direction from what she has and is used to. Let her stretch her imagine and creativity with a different category of gift. Make it something she can DO something with or that uses her growing skills - fine motor, gross motor. Don't focus on girlie girl princess-y stuff just because that's her interest NOW or that's what you have a drawer full of. For example, Legos and Knex build all kinds of skills and let kids create something new. They don't get old or outgrown. And it's something the 2 older kids might work on cooperatively - which might be a good experience and also very helpful when you are dealing with a newborn. Yes, she wants a newborn baby but wait until she finds out how annoying and boring babies are - they cry, sleep and eat, and that's it, right?! My child really really enjoyed one of those marble sets - you connect the parts and build a series of towers, and the parts interchange the same way Legos do, so that no two times are ever the same. When it's done, you put some marbles in the top and watch them go down the various ramps and spirals, and it's great fun on the floor or in the bathtub.
Also, don't feel compelled to give her a party on her actual birthday if the new baby doesn't cooperate! Three year olds do not know what day it is - just adjust so she has a good time and tell the older one not to let on!!
If you are feeling guilty about not having time now and having less time when the baby and birthday hit, DON'T! It is what it is! Do your best and keep up your game face, and she will be fine!
Good luck with everything!
Get her new crafts (markers, crayons, wooden shapes to decorate etc) just so she has stuff to open on her birthday. Don't get hung up on the dollar amount because she doesn't care right now. In a few years she will be asking for coach purses and expensive make-up and going to parties every weekend where you will give lots of your money away. (My daughter is going into her sophomore year and in the last 2 months has gone to 7 graduation parties and 3 sweet sixteens. In addition she goes to the movies frequently and always seems to need money for something😊.)
If you really NEED to get her something extra, get her accessories for her doll. Or a matching outfit for her and the doll. They have mini-Ergo carriers that would hike up the price of her gift sufficiently. It would be really cool if there is something that she will see you using all the time with your new baby that she could use with HER new baby.
Otherwise, I say just get her the doll, and don't worry about the money. Be grateful that she's at an age that she doesn't care. Believe me, it won't last long.
My son at that age loved the Ty Pillow Pals (especially Purr the tiger), dinosaurs, trucks/dirt diggers of any kind and specifically ladder firetrucks.
What about stuff that gets used up?
By this I mean art sets with finger paints or washable crayons/markers. Or even really basic jewelry making sets (I know she's only 3, so nothing with small beads!). Or playdoh? My 3-year old is really into playdoh right now, he especially likes pretending with the play-doh ice cream shop.
Even second kids need this kind of stuff, because the markers from the first kid are dried up or the points are mashed, and the crayons are broken, and the playdoh colors are all mixed together and all you have is brown (our ice cream shop serves all chocoloate ice cream at this point, lol), etc...
