Gift ideas for 2.5 yo daughter???

[tjkraz]

I need help!!!

I'm already starting to plan Christmas for the kiddies. Between the many relatives that want gift suggestions and the reality that we need to get several gifts ourselves, I'm struggling with ideas for our daughter. Ideas can be Disney or non-Disney.

We already have a truckload of puzzles and books for both kids. Both grandmothers are always appearing with new clothes, so that's not a necessity. We just decorated her room in the last 6 months when she moved out of the crib, so she doesn't really need anything along those lines. We already have a couple different Leappad devices and pleanty of books. Some close relatives buy savings bonds on a regular basis, but most are (understandably) unwilling to go the route of gift cards or Disney Dollars for a child that young.

The one thing she really gravitates toward is dolls / babies, but we already have at least a dozen of different shapes and sizes.

I saw one of those 18" 'My Disney Girl' figures on Disney Deals. Anyone know anything about these dolls? I know we bought an outfit or two at WDW a couple years ago for a niece who was going through an "American Girl" phase (I think they are the same size dolls.) Do they still sell outfits for these dolls at WDW?

Any other great suggestions for a 2 1/2 year old girl?

 

[lllovell]

I am doomed! You mean she isn't going to want Legos and Lincoln Logs and trucks and other stuff that I already buy???

2.5 years is a tough time. They are too small to physically manhandle some very traditional toys (like Barbies....for example - our G.I. Joes are ALWAYS naked for some reason they undress them, but can't get the clothes BACK on).

Boy is this gonna sound sexist, but does she have a kitchen and other make believe things like that? (Dont get me wrong, my sons have one and they LOVE it - its a bakery one...and we get to play picnic all the time where they make our lunch )

That is also a great time for little girls to really start getting into board games. They are so much more advanced than boys, so maybe there are some 3ish aged games that might be good that you don't already have? (besides Ants in the Pants, Cootie and Don't Break the Ice, my niece got Candy Land, Hi-ho Cherry O's and a few other board games near her 3rd birthday and she LOVED them).

Musical instruments? (which are good mentally as well as fun).

A doll house for her age? (not something fragile - but more like Dora's house where the pieces parts are all made for small hands).

Does she have the crib, pack n play and stroller set for her babies? (and you may have a million dolls, but its never enough )

We are doing bikes this year for the boys (they will be almost 4 and 6) and filling in around it mostly. Its VERY hard when we already have a toyroom full of toys - all of which they play with still! Hey - I didn't need that dining room did I? lol

Good luck tjkraz!

 

[chimera]

Our DD2.5 likes her Bee Bop Band. It's a drum with little xylophone, shakers, drum sticks and bell rattle. We also got her a small electronic keyboard.

She loves dress-up. We got princess dresses at Target that are quite a bit less expensive than at WDW. Also tiaras, necklaces and shoes.

And Legos are very cool! She loves to build towers then knock them down.

 

[goosedwn]

Doll stroller. I bought my dd one when she was about 2.5. She loves it and still does. It is the best toy for dd I ever bought and it only cost 4.99. She loves to push her barbie, and her toy babies. I also gave her a small pillow and blanket too Now my twin nieces who are turning 3 also want them too.

Wendy

 

[Patty3]

My Grandaughters ages 2 and 3 love the Disney Princesses. They love playing dress up in those costumes. Anything Belle or Sleeping Beauty is a hit for these two.

 

[cbjl]

ditto on the doll stroller - big hit with our daughters at that age (still popular now that they are 4)

Lauri shape sorter also a big hit - good for developing logic & sorting skills as well (amazon sells these, educational toy stores usually do as well) - pegs were popular, too & we used them to teach colors, counting

Playmobil 1.2.3 products can be lots of fun (aimed at toddlers), usually at educational toy stores, also online

my girls loved (and still love) "fancy" disney nightgowns - Disney Direct usually has some with extra sheer overskirts (not sure on terminology?) - my girls started to prefer nightgowns to PJs at about 2-1/2

other Disney things
- play-doh with Disney Princess toppers that doubled as stampers (Kohl's sells them, not sure where else)
- Disney Direct - Princess playsets - usually ran about $12 for a set of 6 I think? - we used these as take-along toys for trips - great for pretending, small enough to fit easily in a carry-on

other non-Disney things
& of course, stickers, crayons, spiral-bound sketchpads to color/draw in were big - also started some crafts at this age - if someone wanted to spend more time than $, pre-cutting some construction paper crafts that could be assembled with gluesticks or tape by your daughter might be a big hit - (do a google search on any favorite characters/animals/concepts + crafts and you can hit lots of ideas for toddlers and preschoolers)

 

[tjkraz]

I am doomed! You mean she isn't going to want Legos and Lincoln Logs and trucks and other stuff that I already buy???

Actually, that's part of the problem. She spends most of her time playing with her brother's cars & trucks, legos and similar toys that I just can't bring myself to buy for her.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!!

 

[problemchild718]

Savings Bonds! Start the 3 gift thing now, before they get bigger and they expect a truckload of EXPENSIVE toys. Give her a couple things she will really love while reinforcing the reason for the season...and....you'll save alot of time and energy in picking up toys all the time and having garage sales.