OT: What to get 3yr old DD for Christmas?

[cerberus]

I am usally done shopping for Christmas by now, but I am having problems finding that "big" item for my DD 3yr old. I have all the fun toys and stocking stuffers (mind you we have the giant stockings at our house, so it is more like stocking presents...LOL! But I am struggling to find that bigger ticket toy, I have been reading here about the Leapster and Vsmile, but just can not decide. We are putting up her computer this month and she has a kids keyboard and mouse with some games, so I am not sure if she would gain much from a Leapster and Vsmile.
Help!! Any ideas??

 

[Harters2WDW]

I'm getting my DD3 a desk/easel as the "big ticket" item. Hope that helps!

 

[JillCT]

How about Magna Tiles? http://www.magnatiles.com/

My kids LOVE them. They received them when they were 4 and almost 2, and still play with them daily one year later at 5 and almost 3. The kids spend so much time playing independently with them--I highly recommend them. We have the 100 piece clear set and Santa is bringing another set this xmas!

 

[Stasieki]

My DD will be 3 in Feb. I was having a hard time for the big ticket item, as well. I think we are going to do the new sleeping beauty vanity.

 

[puffkin]

My DS will be 3 in March. His big ticket item is the Leap Frog TAG reading system. They have a bonus pack at Walmart right now that has the carrying case and the pen for $49.97 which is normally the price of the just the pen. Toys R Us has the books on sale for $9.99 so we will get him one or two and family will get him a few more.

Another idea is a tricycle if she doesn't have one? We got one for DS last Christmas, but he is only now starting to show interest in it......should have waited til this year.

 

[casper_jj11]

DD will be 3 in January. Santa is getting her a costume trunk for Christmas (I spent a huge amount of time on ebay before Halloween buying costumes and I'm waiting for costumes at the Disney store to drop even more in price now). For her birthday, we're getting her a puppet theatre and puppets.

 

[melancholywings]

What about a bitty baby?

 

[Whipperwhirl]

My son loves his leapster but my daughter wants noting to do with video games - I would google that which she loves most and see what you can come up with - Whip

 

[shelby101301]

DD (3 this past Aug) just discovered princesses, so she is getting Jasmine, snow white and Bell complete with accessories as her big item. Got all half price with the halloween sale. Would like to get Cinderella too, but it just won't drop, darn it! LOL

V smile, which 5 yr old just got in Sept is too hard, but I don't have 3 yr old games in either.

She loves art, so she's get spirograph and lite brite too, plus little things like puzzles, magnetic paper dolls, that kind of thing

 

[bkreitzel]

I cannot say enough great things about the LEAPSTER. We love love love ours. Our DD6 and DD3 have them. We bought the younger daughter hers for Xmas last year as they had been fighting over the one we had.
It is THE BEST thing we have ever purchased for them.
The games are great, and I love that we can purchase more advanced ones for out first grader.
The favorite game at our house, for both girls, is PET PALS. Our niece also has that one and calls it "breathtaking" which is way too funny!
My kids play them in the car, waiting w/ me at the dr or in a meeting, and often just at home on a lazy day.
I really like that they seem to learn something from the games.
The impt thing is to look over the manual and play w/ them in the beginning b/c each cartridge offers many options.
Price have really dropped this year...they were on sale at Target for like $39! b/c they just came out w/ a new version to compete w/ the DS.
We really really like the Leapster backpak to keep the cartidges together.
Toys R Us usually has some nice sales on the game as does Target occasionally.

 

[cerberus]

Wow thanks for all the responses!! I will start looking at all your suggestions! Thanks everyone for some great ideas!

 

[richmond282]

My DD4 got a Disney princess castle last year (along w/ several princess dolls). She still loves it. This year she is getting a vanity which I think she will love as well.

 

[Perditamarie]

What a fun problem to have!!

I agree that the Leapster is an excellent toy..and portable, whereas the computer is not.

I also like the desk idea.

Also consider:

Dollhouse and furniture
Cozy Coupe Car

 

[adoptionmomma4]

My DD is three as well. I have already got her a doll house (a tall one like the one at target) and all the furniture plus the only hearts club dolls, a pink leapster and a set of bitty twins. I still want to get her a double baby doll stroller (how can mommy of twins live without one??? ) and the rose petal cottage. I may wait on the cottage until her birthday in February, but I think she will love it. Target also has a little wooden doll bed/highchair/bath combo thing that DD really wants. It is pink and it is so cute. My DMIL is getting it for her. My mom got her a dress up chest with princess dresses from etsy and things like beaded necklaces/bracelets, hats and boa's. She is going to have such a fun Christmas. I can not wait.

Good luck this is such a fun age isn’t it?

I wanted to add... My DD loves to play her older brother’s leapster, so I know it will be a huge hit.

 

[billwendy]

Hi -

Have you ever seen the Snap and Style Dolls and Babies by Fisher Price? They are sooooooo awesome!!! They are perfect for little fingers to easily dress and play with - they are durable, and easy to wipe off!! They are really hard to find usually (they sell out as soona s they come into the store - Walmart, target, toys r us) but you can order them on the Fisher price website - they are so fun!!!

 

[TexasBee]

Play kitchen? There are Disney Princess and Fairies ones out now.

 

[cerberus]

What about a bitty baby?

I had thought of an American girl doll, but thought she was too young...did not realize they had a bitty baby. Very cute, my mom is going to get her one!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

A toy kitchen, plastic food , plastic plates , plastic pots and pans.

 

[cerberus]

A toy kitchen, plastic food , plastic plates , plastic pots and pans.

She got akitchen last year and does not really play with it. But I did ask for addition pots and pans from grandma

 

[disneyhopeful]

Get her a sit and spin. My youngest is 2(will be 3 in April) and she loves it. Also I heard good reviews about the playskool honeybee hop.