Stumped! What to get my own DD for 5th B-day????

[bas71873]

I have no clue what to get my own kid for her birthday. How sad is that. My daughter is a very busy little girl with a HUGE imagination. She loves to sing & dance so we have tons of stuff for that. She's not into video games (and I'm not a huge advocate of them anyway), so all that Leapster stuff is out. She's not into baby dolls at all. She loves little playsets & figurines and we have tons and tons of this sort of thing and every Little Pet Shop playset they make. She loves to cook so I'm thinking of maybe an easy bake oven? She loves to color & paint so I can load her up on this stuff.

Anyone out there have any "different" ideas that I might consider?

I'm open to all kinds of suggestions.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

A new bike? scooter, skates, skateboard, basketball goal, slip n slide? (You can tell my kids like to play outside!) Gymnastics mat? A Quick Set pool if your neighborhood allows it and you don't have a pool already?

Does she have a play kitchen? Does she like Polly Pockets? Webkinz?

DD5 loves her Bitty Baby (but you said no dolls), her princess castle that Santa brought, her play kitchen (for the past several years), playing outside, books, her DS and Leapster, DVDs, riding her bike, swimming. She likes to play dress up and take pictures (does your DD have a digital camera?). Someone also makes a video camera for kids - I am going to look into that for Christmas for my DD.

DD loves to make things out of Model Magic, and anything involving glitter glue is sure to be a hit!

We have an Easy Bake Oven - it's not that cool after the first time. My kids would rather help me make cookies in the oven.

Good luck!

 

[tmarquez]

For Christmas, my DD(5) got a butterfly garden and a ladybug habitat. They were a huge hit, she even brought the butterfly thing to school for show & tell. She has been asking for refills ever since. They came from here

http://insectlore.stores.yahoo.net/

 

[mamita]

my DD used to LOVE a microphone we got her that had sound effects that she could sing along with her favorite song to anyways good luck...it seems she has plenty to be thankful for already

 

[bas71873]

A new bike? scooter, skates, skateboard, basketball goal, slip n slide? (You can tell my kids like to play outside!) Gymnastics mat? A Quick Set pool if your neighborhood allows it and you don't have a pool already?

Does she have a play kitchen? Does she like Polly Pockets? Webkinz?

DD5 loves her Bitty Baby (but you said no dolls), her princess castle that Santa brought, her play kitchen (for the past several years), playing outside, books, her DS and Leapster, DVDs, riding her bike, swimming. She likes to play dress up and take pictures (does your DD have a digital camera?). Someone also makes a video camera for kids - I am going to look into that for Christmas for my DD.

DD loves to make things out of Model Magic, and anything involving glitter glue is sure to be a hit!

We have an Easy Bake Oven - it's not that cool after the first time. My kids would rather help me make cookies in the oven.

Good luck!

Bummed about the Easy Bake, but glad to be given a tip. We do have a kitchen and she LOVES it.

DD loves the outdoors too and we have most of those things covered, pool, bikes....she's not coordinated enough yet for the scooter or skates and we have the pool covered.

Santa is going to bring the castle this year (picking it up on our October trip).

I'm going to check out model magic though.....not a clue what it is, but I'm googling!!!

THANKS!!

 

[bas71873]

For Christmas, my DD(5) got a butterfly garden and a ladybug habitat. They were a huge hit, she even brought the butterfly thing to school for show & tell. She has been asking for refills ever since. They came from here

http://insectlore.stores.yahoo.net/

HMMM....this might be cool Thanks

 

[bas71873]

my DD used to LOVE a microphone we got her that had sound effects that she could sing along with her favorite song to anyways good luck...it seems she has plenty to be thankful for already

She has TONS to be thankful for, you're right!!! I'm heading to Toys R Us tomorrow for some gift shopping for another party on Saturday so I'll be doingn some leisuring strolling up & down the aisles!!

 

[tazdev3225]

My DGD recieved the Butterfly Habitat and we were disappointed. Only one of the caterpillars hatched. I was happy to see the link, thanks tmarquez, because I will contact them now. My DGD loves to draw but not in coloring books. We got her little craft kits, paints and finger paints, markers, and lots of blank paper. It keeps her busy for hours. If you get the Easy BAke oven be careful. Even with supervision my DD received a nasty burn from it, they get extremely hot.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Bummed about the Easy Bake, but glad to be given a tip. We do have a kitchen and she LOVES it.

DD loves the outdoors too and we have most of those things covered, pool, bikes....she's not coordinated enough yet for the scooter or skates and we have the pool covered.

Santa is going to bring the castle this year (picking it up on our October trip).

I'm going to check out model magic though.....not a clue what it is, but I'm googling!!!

THANKS!!

Model Magic is similar to playdough, but it is not crumbly when it dries. DD5 has made pencil holders, cups, animals, etc. You can find it at Target, Wal-Mart, Michael's, AC Moore, etc.

http://www.crayola.com/educators/techniques/ModelMagic.cfm

Another thing I thought of is a plasma car, if you don't have one. Santa brought two for Christmas in 2005 (so DD5 was not yet 3), and DD8 and DD5 still use them almost every day. They are extremely durable and the girls have a lot of fun riding on the driveway. I think Target carries them now, but typically they are at toy stores like Learning Express or online.

http://www.amazon.com/PlasmaCar-Blu...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1212160760&sr=8-1

Other creative things might include a musical instrument to learn or just to play with. You might check out Back To Basics Toys and Hearthsong online to see some cool ideas of less common toys.

Does she have an easel?

 

[Taja]

Rather than the Easy Bake overn, just purchase some miniature pans that can be used in the actual oven. She can make tiny versions of the same things you do. There are a lot of aluminum mini pans out there, and I'm seeing quite a few silicone ones, as well. Be sure to get a loaf pan, so if you make meat loaf (or something similar), she can make a tiny version. Just remember, it takes less time for the mini version to cook!

What about crafts for quiet times? Something like Gallery Glass (make window clings that can easily be added or removed), paints, glue fabric scraps, etc. She would need supervision, but you could produce some neat mother/daughter projects!

 

[bas71873]

Some great ideas....thanks (and keep 'em coming to newbies who view and have some ideas

 

[tmarquez]

I think they guarantee 3 live ones. We ended up with 4 that made it all the way. Hopefully they will make good on their guarantee for you.

My DGD recieved the Butterfly Habitat and we were disappointed. Only one of the caterpillars hatched. I was happy to see the link, thanks tmarquez, because I will contact them now. My DGD loves to draw but not in coloring books. We got her little craft kits, paints and finger paints, markers, and lots of blank paper. It keeps her busy for hours. If you get the Easy BAke oven be careful. Even with supervision my DD received a nasty burn from it, they get extremely hot.

 

[solgent]

I didn't get birthday gifts for my kids until recently. We got them things they needed/wanted throughout the year. I figured we gave them the party & they got gifts from friends & relatives, so why scramble to find something on top of all that? Especially if you can't think of anything your child would like that she doesn't already have!

Sometimes we tried to get things for the whole family. My 3 DDs have their birthdays within a 3 week span so we'd do something like build a playhouse in the yard for all of them to enjoy.

Maybe you could do a donation together and possibly combine that with a special outing. E.g., visit humane society, give donation, go out for ice cream. Or one year at Christmas we put together a basket for a center than supports teen mothers. My DDs had fun picking out baby things (from the center's wish list) at KMart to donate.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We take our daughter to "do" something for her birthdays gifts. She has too much "stuff" plus her bday is in October so by the time we are done checking out the bday gifts...it's time for Santa to come! For her 3rd birthday, we took her to the circus. For her 4th, we took her to see Wicked (she asked for this and is very theatrical!), For her 5th bday, she wants to go see a show on Broadway (pref. Little Mermaid!)

 

[bas71873]

We take our daughter to "do" something for her birthdays gifts. She has too much "stuff" plus her bday is in October so by the time we are done checking out the bday gifts...it's time for Santa to come! For her 3rd birthday, we took her to the circus. For her 4th, we took her to see Wicked (she asked for this and is very theatrical!), For her 5th bday, she wants to go see a show on Broadway (pref. Little Mermaid!)

OH, what I'd give to be close to NYC because Ariel on Broadway it would be!!

 

[Astro Orbiter]

Sounds like my DD, who will be 6 this summer. LPS and a great imagination, not into dolls.

Books - step 2s or early chapter books.
Legos. She can build LPS places to live and have adventures!
Dress-up clothes, a side-step from singing and dancing.
Craft supplies. Give the girl some tape, scissors, construction paper, and foam sheets. See what happens!
A new set of markers.
LPS. You can never have too many!
A real apron and her own cooking things (spatula, rolling pin, etc.)
A computer game. I'm not a huge fan, either, but if I pick it I know it's got educational value and is not just getting ponies ready for a party.

DD got roller skates (much wanted) for her 5th birthday and still isn't coordinated to use them safely. (And they were regular roller skates, not inline skates.)

Good luck!

 

[minniebeth]

Rather than the Easy Bake overn, just purchase some miniature pans that can be used in the actual oven. She can make tiny versions of the same things you do. There are a lot of aluminum mini pans out there, and I'm seeing quite a few silicone ones, as well. Be sure to get a loaf pan, so if you make meat loaf (or something similar), she can make a tiny version. Just remember, it takes less time for the mini version to cook!

What about crafts for quiet times? Something like Gallery Glass (make window clings that can easily be added or removed), paints, glue fabric scraps, etc. She would need supervision, but you could produce some neat mother/daughter projects!

This is what I was going to suggest in lieu of the Easly Bake Oven.
They also have cute cookbooks for kids that she could go through and find recipes that she would like to make. You can do a big basket for her with pans, kid sized rolling pins, a child's sized apron if you can find one. We have a gourmet shop that has all kinds of cookie cutters and fun sprinkles too. Even a pretty dish and bowl to go with it...Tag brand has some cute ones that look like they would be geared to young girls.

Or, certificates or gift cards to experiences, such as lunch out with mom, or going to the movies or a special show you may have coming to your area. We have Libby Lu, where the girls can get hair, makeup and dress-up done there.
This is what we've gone to since our kids love to do things rather than get things anymore...

 

[dizneychik]

You said she likes to sing and dance. Have you thought about a small Karoke machine?
Walmart has some small ones(I bought my DD-age 5 one) for about $30.00 and it comes with microphone, cd player and radio.
And you could get her some cd's of her favorite singers or disney albums.

Hope this helps!

 

[TexasTodds]

I don't know if they still have it, but we have a in Karaoke machine thing from Fisher Price that has a camera in the main part that plugs into the TV so that the child can see herself on the TV, and there are cartridges that have songs on them.

Also, Fisher price has the kid friendly camera and "FP3" player that you can also put your own songs onto. MY DS6 got these item about a year ago and still loves them.

 

[adell557]

I agree on the no Easy Bake Oven, ours is in my dd closet collecting dust. The packets of stuff are not tasty and they have a good amount of trans fat in them. I am not a health nut, my kids have soda and cake and candy on occasion, but i do try to stay away from the transfat.