3.5-yr-old gift help

[Pilsy]

E is 3.5, and I do have some gift ideas for her, but they're sort of boring by kid standards.  We're decorating her room, and she's excited about that when I talk about it - she wants a big wall map of the USA and some framed prints - but decorations and the bedside radio she wants aren't WOW gifts for a young child's Christmas morning. 

I don't want to go wild and buy a bunch of stuff, but I would like to have at least one thing that will really excite her. It will be from Santa, because she specifically told me when we were talking about the radio, "But that's not something Santa would bring. I want him to bring me toys!!!"  

She is beyond sweet and, when asked what she plans to ask Santa to bring her, says she wants an umbrella and a sled for her baby sister.  

She does enjoy dolls, but really only focuses on one baby doll she's had for 1.5 years.  


Ideas??  She has an Anywhere chair (which wouldn't wow her now, anyway) and a play kitchen, as well as an easel. We have a hand-me-down bike, which we will replace at some point, but I'm not sure if this is the right year for that. She is way more comfy on the tricycle, though she is too tall for it.  

Thanks for any suggestions.  

ETA: We do have a dollhouse already, though that's just the kind of "wow" gift I am looking to give.  I'm home sick and re-reading this shows me I didn't finish my thought above. I didn't mean to imply she only likes dolls.  I was about to list some interests and got sidetracked.  haha  Anyway, yes, dolls, art, books, playing outside, movies, singing, puzzles (big one - could definitely use recs for challenging puzzles for this age), and some games (though she still has trouble losing).  Oh, she also really, really loves to bake. Not sure what I could do about that since we already have a play kitchen that gets hardly any use; she is into the real thing as my sidekick.  

[countthestars]

DD is 4 and she's getting a microphone karaoke thing. Dress up clothes? Micro scooter? Jewelry box and costume jewelry? Game (Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Zingo, Candyland)? Movie?

[vtdiamond]

My DD is 3 and I have the following on her list:

- Bitty Baby and a few accessories
- Sled
- Dress Up clothes
- Kids Necklace and Bracelet

[patches31709]

What about the Code-a-pillar? TRU has it on sale for $24.99 today

[icedcoffee]

A doll house?

[circa1978]

I would do a doll house for sure. They are big, "wow," present that can be really affordable.

[Pilsy]

Nov 30, 2017 11:56:14 GMT -5 countthestars said:

DD is 4 and she's getting a microphone karaoke thing. Dress up clothes? Micro scooter? Jewelry box and costume jewelry? Game (Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Zingo, Candyland)? Movie?

Hmm, she does love singing, now that she's seen Frozen and we've played the soundtrack one billion times on our commute...     Thanks!  Games, dress-up clothes, and movies are great recs for all the people who are asking me what she might want, too.  

Nov 30, 2017 13:33:56 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

My DD is 3 and I have the following on her list:

- Bitty Baby and a few accessories
- Sled
- Dress Up clothes
- Kids Necklace and Bracelet

Part of me wants to do a Bitty Baby, but all the dolls after this first random baby doll from Target have been mostly ignored. Maybe, though!  I'll ask my H what he thinks.  She has a sled, though that's another good one.  Are quality sleds a thing these days?  Ours is plastic.  She loves dressing up and accessorizing, so these are more good ideas.  Thanks!  

Nov 30, 2017 13:39:49 GMT -5 patches31709 said:

What about the Code-a-pillar? TRU has it on sale for $24.99 today

Ooh, I'll check this out.  I remember hearing about it last year but didn't look into it, so I'm not really familiar with what it does.  

Nov 30, 2017 13:43:51 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

[Pilsy]

Nov 30, 2017 13:43:51 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

A doll house?

Nov 30, 2017 13:58:20 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

I would do a doll house for sure. They are big, "wow," present that can be really affordable.

Good one! This is exactly the kind of thing I have in mind, though the neighbors gave us theirs, so it would be redundant. I should have listed it in the OP, but my brain is mush. I am trying to think of one big gift like this, though. Thanks!

[icedcoffee]

You could do a bunch of dress up clothes and a closet to store it in. Some people here have made them I think or you can buy something like this:

www.hayneedle.com/product/kidkraftletsplaydressupunit.cfm?source=pla&kwid=OtherKidsFurniture%20level01&tid=KD881-1&adtype=pla&kw=&lsft=adtype:pla&gclid=CjwKCAiA9f7QBRBpEiwApLGUineXQmSHipRC9sINvS8yza0QZZ6ISJyJKtmgjz_ZdbpzUMy3PPFUwBoCC8UQAvD_BwE

[Pilsy]

I went back and updated the OP since the dollhouse bit prompted me to reread it I left a half thought. Oops!


Any ideas related to baking? We already have a play kitchen, and she doesn't use it; she's into the real deal, with me.

[Pilsy]

Nov 30, 2017 14:06:34 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

You could do a bunch of dress up clothes and a closet to store it in. Some people here have made them I think or you can buy something like this:

www.hayneedle.com/product/kidkraftletsplaydressupunit.cfm?source=pla&kwid=OtherKidsFurniture%20level01&tid=KD881-1&adtype=pla&kw=&lsft=adtype:pla&gclid=CjwKCAiA9f7QBRBpEiwApLGUineXQmSHipRC9sINvS8yza0QZZ6ISJyJKtmgjz_ZdbpzUMy3PPFUwBoCC8UQAvD_BwE

Ooh, fun idea!  Thanks!  

[andi]

Nov 30, 2017 14:11:42 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

I went back and updated the OP since the dollhouse bit prompted me to reread it I left a half thought. Oops!


Any ideas related to baking? We already have a play kitchen, and she doesn't use it; she's into the real deal, with me.

There are a lot of kids baking sets out there, or Easy Bake Oven? Actually, my daughter has a cookbook that she stole from me (I think it's all kinds of cake-mix recipes, but it has lots of pictures) and she regularly picks something out of there and we make it together. Maybe her own apron too?

[imbatman]

Nov 30, 2017 14:06:34 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

You could do a bunch of dress up clothes and a closet to store it in. Some people here have made them I think or you can buy something like this:

www.hayneedle.com/product/kidkraftletsplaydressupunit.cfm?source=pla&kwid=OtherKidsFurniture%20level01&tid=KD881-1&adtype=pla&kw=&lsft=adtype:pla&gclid=CjwKCAiA9f7QBRBpEiwApLGUineXQmSHipRC9sINvS8yza0QZZ6ISJyJKtmgjz_ZdbpzUMy3PPFUwBoCC8UQAvD_BwE

Oh man, I love this! I’ve been needing storage for her dress up clothes and this is perfect!

[icedcoffee]

An outdoor playhouse?

[countthestars]

We have this for DD's dresses and I love it - good quality for the price: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJL0YQW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon has lots of fun real baking sets for kids: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kid+baking+

Not sure if she's into princesses, but DD really likes this cookbook (to cook and just to read) and they're all really easy things she can help with: www.amazon.com/Disney-Princess-Cookbook-Book-Group/dp/1423163249/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1512069930&sr=8-11&keywords=kid+cookbook

[Pilsy]

andi, I forgot about those little ovens! I always wanted one and never received it. hahaha Now is my chance to live through my child.

icedcoffee, this might be it! Emailing my H...


Thank you both!

[lilac05]

There's a Betty Crocker Kids cookbook. You could get her those, a personalized apron (I think I got ours on Etsy), and kid-sized (but real!) utensils. There's also Kidstir, a subscription box that delivers cooking/baking stuff every month.

[Pilsy]

Nov 30, 2017 14:26:18 GMT -5 countthestars said:

We have this for DD's dresses and I love it - good quality for the price: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJL0YQW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon has lots of fun real baking sets for kids: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kid+baking+

Not sure if she's into princesses, but DD really likes this cookbook (to cook and just to read) and they're all really easy things she can help with: www.amazon.com/Disney-Princess-Cookbook-Book-Group/dp/1423163249/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1512069930&sr=8-11&keywords=kid+cookbook

I think I was posting when you were, because I didn't see this.  These are great!  Thank you so much.  

[countthestars]

I do like the accessory/shoe storage in the more expensive dress thing!

[Pilsy]

Nov 30, 2017 14:27:53 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

There's a Betty Crocker Kids cookbook. You could get her those, a personalized apron (I think I got ours on Etsy), and kid-sized (but real!) utensils. There's also Kidstir, a subscription box that delivers cooking/baking stuff every month.

Ok, you guys are good.  

Do you love your apron?  If I hop on Etsy, I bet there will be a million options...  


And for baking tools, do you mean something like this??  Thank you!



smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_11_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kids+baking+tools&sprefix=kids+baking+%2Caps%2C143&crid=26MPJX9K9FKIF

[lilac05]

Nov 30, 2017 14:36:33 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Nov 30, 2017 14:27:53 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

There's a Betty Crocker Kids cookbook. You could get her those, a personalized apron (I think I got ours on Etsy), and kid-sized (but real!) utensils. There's also Kidstir, a subscription box that delivers cooking/baking stuff every month.

Ok, you guys are good.  

Do you love your apron?  If I hop on Etsy, I bet there will be a million options...  


And for baking tools, do you mean something like this??  Thank you!



smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_11_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kids+baking+tools&sprefix=kids+baking+%2Caps%2C143&crid=26MPJX9K9FKIF

We don't have any of the kid-sized tools, but it's always been something that I think they'd like.  I'd just read reviews.  (Or, honestly, I'd be more likely to go to Dollar Tree and see what they have!). The Kidstir subscription comes with one kitchen tool per month along with a recipe that uses it, I think.

I bought the aprons 3 years ago, and my niece still wears hers.  I only have one, but two kids, so ours doesn't get worn.  They're cute, but also really functional!

Costco also had a set of 3 toy small appliances for like $20.  My niece LOVES them.  I think it was a blender, a coffee maker, and I don't recall the last one.  They look like stainless steel and had lights and noises. 

EDIT:  It looks like Sam's is carrying the set this year.  www.samsclub.com/sams/black-inclub-980032246/prod21470105.ip?xid=plp:product:1:12  I couldn't believe it was only $20!  

[lolo]

My DD gets excited my things like festive muffin wrappers (she's 4.5y). She would also love something like chocolate chips and a ticket to bake some whenever she wants.

[carolinagirl831]

Nov 30, 2017 11:56:14 GMT -5 countthestars said:

DD is 4 and she's getting a microphone karaoke thing. Dress up clothes? Micro scooter? Jewelry box and costume jewelry? Game (Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Zingo, Candyland)? Movie?

What did you get? I’m on the hunt for this but can’t make a decision!

[countthestars]

Nov 30, 2017 19:56:04 GMT -5 carolinagirl831 said:

Nov 30, 2017 11:56:14 GMT -5 countthestars said:

DD is 4 and she's getting a microphone karaoke thing. Dress up clothes? Micro scooter? Jewelry box and costume jewelry? Game (Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, Zingo, Candyland)? Movie?

What did you get? I’m on the hunt for this but can’t make a decision!

I'm not 100% confident in my decision, but I got this one because I liked the stand and flashing lights. Others play via bluetooth and stuff, but I figured we can either plug in the old iphone she uses as white noise at night, or play music on our speaker and just have her sing through the microphone. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017KYO0UE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1