help me shop for a four year old

[LeggsBenedict]

my sil asked for books, cds and activities for the car. they have a looong commute to preschool so she needs things to keep my niece entertained. I dont know nothing about no kids. any ideas?

[onomatopoeia]

My kids loved those magnetic doodle boards. Also those things that are full of water and colored oil, and you tip them side to side and the water/oil swishes around and makes neat shapes and slowly drips side to side? Google liquid motion toys, it might make more sense. My oldest was obsessed with those at that age and they would keep him captivated for a long time. Pop-up books are pretty good too.

What about a leapster or something similar? Is your SIL good with those, or would she rather stay away from electronics?

[missmaddie]

DS is only 2.5, but in the last 6 months we have flown to/from Scotland with him, along with a 7 hour drive to/from Chicago, and 7 hours to/from Ottawa coming up.  I will keep posting a few things that come to mind that we took with, and keep out of sight until a long trip.  


My Busy Books

Books with play mats and pieces in the back.  DS has Cars, Planes, and Thomas; my niece has Brave and Doc McStuffins


Stuck on Stories

Books with suction cupped characters inside (Way cheaper at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc.)

[bonquiqui]

Naked 3  I am a one trick pony

[missmaddie]

Aqua Doodle Travel

Anything Crayola Color Wonder

Travel Magna Doodle

More Crayola Travel Stuff

[LeggsBenedict]

bro and sil are good with electronics, but I dont have a lot of money to spend.

I'm still looking at all the links, thanks everyone!

[LeggsBenedict]

Dec 15, 2013 17:19:59 GMT -5 Que? said:

m.barnesandnoble.com/w/mickey-mouse-clubhouse-editors-of-publications-international/1114863241

niece LOVES minnie mouse, so I will definitely look for this.

all of these water books and mats seem to be popular!

[missmaddie]

Reusable Sticker Pads

More Reusable Sticker Activity Books (With "Look Inside")

Magnetic Hangman (for down the road)

Travel Bingo

Travel Memory

[Booze Raccoon]

Soundtracks:  Sofia The First, Frozen

Books:  Mo Williams

Melissa and Doug resusable sticker books

[LeggsBenedict]

ooh, STICKERS. evidently, I am a four year old.

[missmaddie]

Anything magnetic

More magnets



(At this point I am now shopping for DS too, so thanks for some of the ideas I have come across!)

[christy082]

I got my 4 year old nephew a couple of Word World dvds for Christmas. He loves that show (it's on PBS). You can find them cheap on Amazon. There are several for $5 each right now.

[LeggsBenedict]

omg. I just looked up the doll my other niece wants. $30 for a plastic mermaid with button eyes?!

[missmaddie]

Minnie Mouse Version of Where's Waldo

[LeggsBenedict]

Dec 15, 2013 17:52:03 GMT -5 missmaddie said:

Minnie Mouse Version of Where's Waldo

holy crap this is cute.

I hope I can find a good selection of stuff in stores, I don't think I have time to order online because then I have to turn around and ship to arizona. OH! or maybe I can pick some stuff and send it to my mom and ask her to wrap it!

mom, this year, I got you to do my work for me. merry christmas!

[lauralala]

These are all great ideas. DS loves his Etch-a-Sketch when we are in the car. It is just like the one I had as a kid!

[speckledfrog]

Dec 15, 2013 17:54:53 GMT -5 LeggsBenedict said:

Dec 15, 2013 17:52:03 GMT -5 missmaddie said:

Minnie Mouse Version of Where's Waldo

holy crap this is cute.

I hope I can find a good selection of stuff in stores, I don't think I have time to order online because then I have to turn around and ship to arizona. OH! or maybe I can pick some stuff and send it to my mom and ask her to wrap it!

mom, this year, I got you to do my work for me. merry christmas!

I am a terrible person, because I shipped my niece and nephews gift straight from amazon and did not spring for gift wrap.  It wasn't going to get there on time otherwise.  I did apologize in advance to my SIL.  It also gives her a chance to prescreen their gifts, she can be particular.

[LeggsBenedict]

Dec 15, 2013 18:13:28 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Dec 15, 2013 17:54:53 GMT -5 LeggsBenedict said:

holy crap this is cute.

I hope I can find a good selection of stuff in stores, I don't think I have time to order online because then I have to turn around and ship to arizona. OH! or maybe I can pick some stuff and send it to my mom and ask her to wrap it!

mom, this year, I got you to do my work for me. merry christmas!

I am a terrible person, because I shipped my niece and nephews gift straight from amazon and did not spring for gift wrap.  It wasn't going to get there on time otherwise.  I did apologize in advance to my SIL.  It also gives her a chance to prescreen their gifts, she can be particular.

right now I have enough stuff between both nieces to get free shipping to arizona between the 20th and 24th. but do I trust that shipping estimate? hmm.

[speckledfrog]

Does it say guaranteed shipping by Dec 24th?

[LeggsBenedict]

yes.

but I know from past email exchanges with angry customers, this is not always true. lol.

[speckledfrog]

Ha! Very true.