Does anyone have a DD that .....doesn't really play with anything?

[gshoemate]

Christmas is stressing me out. I have a whole list of things to buy for DS who is almost 3. My DD (almost 7) is a differant story. I can only think of a few small things.

Last year, her presents were every little girl's dream presents. She got a whole baby set, stroller, crib, swing, highchair, car seat, baby......she played with it maybe 10 times in the last year. We got her a Leappad, same thing, only played with it a few times. That is only a few of the presents that she received and didn't really play with.

She has numerous toys, Play Mobiles, Barbie's, Fisher Price Sweet Streets, but she just doesn't play.

What she likes to do is draw and color and play on her computer.

Does anyone else have a DD that doesn't really play. DH is concerned about her lack of imagination when it comes to playing. Or are we putting to much thought into it?

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

 

[ckmommy]

My DD 6 is the same way. If it is not TV or a video, it doesn't hold her interest. We have gone the Barbie route, played with 5 mins. Dolls no interest, doll houses no interest, games, 5 mins, computer no interest, Ds's cars- no interest.

She loves playing on her bike and being with her friends. She is very smart and is starting to read a lot. But, we have tons of books. I do not know what to buy her for Christmas this year?????

 

[geetey]

Hi Ginger!
I have one of those dd's. Mine is now 11. She was never interested in dolls, especially Barbies, crafts or the like. Those items would end up on a shelf or shoved under her bed to never be seen again. I have some 'surprise' items over the years that have captured her interest.

* Gameboy Advance SP w/Pokemon games or Mario games
* scooter
* certificate for a class/lesson (she loves swimming and enjoys swimming during the winter as a treat)
* ToonTown subscription
* Supermags

Not traditional girl stuff by any means. I started noticing what her friends were playing with (she mainly plays with the boys - hence the Pokemon stuff), or what really excited her (like the swimming). Maybe that will help?

Good luck! It is really hard to buy for my dd.

forgot to mention a CD boombox with some CDs (Radio Disney, Disney soundtracks) - *that* was a huge hit and still gets used!

 

[MosMom]

Yeap, my daughter too! She loves to draw, color, paint, etc. but doesn't really get into toys. She goes through phases where she will pull out her toys but they don't last long.

She does like computer games and her gamecube.

Her most favorite thing in the world though is playing outside so I have focused on outside toys lately. However, winter is coming so maybe she will pull out toys more often when playing outside isn't an option.

For her birthday, I got her a Razor scooter (except it is the Bratz scooter in purple which is DD's favorite color) and she loves it. The same scooter I took a nose dive on in the kitchen *cough*.

Instead of buying toys she won't play with, buy things that will encourage what she loves.

I don't think enjoying drawing is indicative of a lack of imagination! You may just have a budding artist on your hands. I found some GREAT arts & crafts things in a catalog called Toys To Grow On. I also got Mo an easel last Christmas and she loves that as well. There is a Disney trace & draw in the Disney Catalog too that looks totally cool. I'm thinking of getting this for Mo.

Mo is also getting a subscription to Toontown for winter as well. Toontown is a lot of fun! We had a subscription last winter but once spring hit she was outside all the time and stopped playing it so we told her we will renew it for the winter. She loves to play it with her dad.

Ooooh she has also asked for a guitar! I found a child size guitar, case, & learn to play DVD for under $70!

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by gshoemate
What she likes to do is draw and color and play on her computer.

I was the same way as a kid... not so interested in lots of new "things" unless they somehow stimulated my artistic side. My most memorable christmas presents were the artsy type things... one year I got a calligraphy set and taught myself calligraphy. One year my parents got me a dollhouse kit to put together myself (that's probably a little advanced for your daughter). I also remember a rock tumbler that allowed me to make my own jewelry. I'm quite sure that I got lots of "regular" toys as well, but these are the ones I remember. I would definitely look in some catalogs (maybe aimed at teachers) for art and craft type things that are age appropriate... maybe get her into painting or sculpting... things that will stimulate her interest in the arts. Maybe you can find some computer games that compliment that as well.

BTW, if she is expressing herself creatively by drawing and coloring I would not worry about her having a lack of imagination... I was the same way and I grew up to be an architect.

 

[gshoemate]

Thanks guys, you made me feel better I looked into a local museum and they have art classes for children so I will for sure look into that. I never thought about Toontown, she loves playing on the internet sites for kids, and i think I remember seeing a giftcard for Toontown at Walmart.

She also loves music, she has had a CD player since she was 4, so we might look into a MP3 player for her to put all of her CD's on (mostly Disney).

I guess i just feel guilty because all of my ideas don't seem very kid friendly. But as long as she gets some use out of them and enjoys them, thats all that matters.

Thanks again.