So, I'm picking out a present for my cousin (she is turning 3) and everything out there is either hellishly expensive, totally consumerized (has no purpose, just draws her back to the show), or, if its actually creative or active, takes a week to put together. Does anyone know some toy for her (please provide link) that defies these three? I don't mind if it has a character on it, but it needs to have some purpose. (i.e. art play, active play, imaginary play.)
Why not get her a cuddly toy? She will certainly speak to it and use it imaginatively, and you can get ones which aren't that expensive.
Offhand, I'd say puzzles -- the Melissa and Doug brand has a lot for kids this age. You could do a 24 or a 48 piece. My 4 y.o. loves these, and they have a lot of themes and can teach the alphabet, as well. This is just one example, but you could find others on amazon or in just about any toy store or even a lot of bookstores locally. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPE038/?tag=postedlinks04-20 There's also something called Do A Dot markers, which are big, thick markers with round tips. There are also activity/coloring books you can buy along with these. Both my kids loved these. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GFJA5U/?tag=postedlinks04-20 If these don't resonate with you, PM me and I'm sure I could come up with some other suggestions. (All I really have to do is look around my house.)
i'm a mom of 7, grandmom of 19 [at last count]... and i always favor giving children things that stir the imagination and that they can do for themselves, not just push buttons/keys and have done for them... here's what i've found to be the greatest gifts for that age: a child's easel, supply of paper, a child-artist's 'smock' and mommy-approved drawing materials [nothing that can't be washed out of clothing and off walls... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=toys-and-games&field-keywords=child's easel or... a collection of hand puppets and an easy-to-set-up cardboard 'theater'... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=toys-and-games&field-keywords=hand puppets and theater or... fairy wings and wand http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=toys-and-games&field-keywords=hand puppets and theater#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_17?url=search-alias=toys-and-games&field-keywords=fairy wings and wand set&sprefix=fairy wings and w,toys-and-games,234&rh=n:165793011,k:fairy wings and wand set ...i've lots more to suggest, if these don't suit...
Books! And you can often find inexpensive, new appearing kids books at the thrift and used book stores.
Pat the Bunny That book is fucking awesome. It's 60 goddamn years old and still sells boatloads for goddamn good reason. It's covered in textures for the child to experience, you can pat the bunny, and feel a shiny mirror, and feel daddies stubble. I had 3 copies during my infancy because I loved it so much I patted the fur off two bunnies.
an inexpensive bowling set memory game books fingerpaints a little purse set a teddy bear play doh a pop tent.
Fingerpaints are awesome if you hate her parents. While I'm in here, you should get her Pat the Bunny, I hear it's awesome.
These might be more than you want to spend, but I got these for a 3 year old a few years ago, and I heard for years from the parents how much she loved them and how much they were played with: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/pr...<>ast_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1384455392841 (washable dress up animal masks.)
These were all great ideas! I'll use these in my toy-hut this weekend! Thanks! @chicagoliz: I loved Do A Dot and my Mom would use them for the After-school-program kids she worked with.
A copy of Where the Wild Things Are. Playsilks or hats or crowns or glittery jewelry other costume-type stuff. In spite of the message of that fabulous page that Jack pointed to. I was going to suggest Fuzzy Felts (I loved loved loved fuzzy felts when I was small) but they're 4+. I guess eating felt is bad. Colorforms, on the other hand, are 3+. Eating vinyl is better?
Get her a keyboard (as in piano). She may end up becoming a child prodigy. And once she becomes famous, you can take credit for getting her started.
3 year old needs these few things 1. Clothes 2. Entertainment 3. Educational entertainment Craft projects usually go a long way. Get a drawing set or better yet put one together. Kids grow so clothes would be a safe zone. Especially for the winter, buy some fun outfit. Worse case scenario, buy a gift car to a store the family shops at. For a 11 year old to whom I also buy gifts for, I have found that $20 goes a long way.
I forgot to recommend Playmobils. I realize that they're in the Plastic Toy category, but they have a huge variety of themes, and I think that they have a long, long play value. (I just Googled for age range and found a forum discussion somewhere with people saying that everyone from toddlers to young teens love the things. Actually, I love the things and I'm over forty. If I had the room, I'd declare a playroom and fill it with Playmobils.)
