Tranquility7 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 DD is turning 5, and I'm being asked by four different family members what to get her (we aren't huge on presents, but they like to get her something, which I can understand). But we already own everything under the sun, LOL! I'm in a "purging" phase right now, definitely not an "increasing" phase. So, what can I suggest? I'm trying to think of something that could get "used up" in short order so it doesn't hang around here forever. But I am also hoping for something that does *not* result in a zillion little things to give away (such as bead bracelets), although I'd maybe be okay with something genuinely useful like maybe potholders?? Or are those lame?). Something educational would also be ok, if it doesn't have a ton of parts that will get everywhere, and if we don't already have it :-) Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Membership to local family friendly museum, zoo, indoor playground, etc? Kitchen chemistry set or something else you might like for your homeschool? I know EXACTLY what you mean! Good luck! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Maybe a cupcake kit. A cake mix and tub of frosting with some cute cupcake liners and sprinkles. Or a decorated cookie kit, including a cookie mix, cookie cutters, icing and sprinkles. Yeah, that would involve time on your part, but a 5 year old would enjoy it. An experience is always fun for a kid- zoo tickets, movie, etc. A session at a pottery place might be fun and you could guide her to choose something sort of useful like a plate to be used on special days like birthdays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 watercolors, stickers, seeds, kids cook books, movie tickets, gift cards for books, bubbles, play doh, moon sand, cardstock paper, or a favorite food that is something you don't normally buy (fruit leathers are popular here). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Aside from experiences (which are super cool): play doh; art supplies; baking kits or maybe some real baking items; maybe some play silks and a kit for dyeing them, if they won't bother you too much. Movie tickets are always favorite, here, and not as pricey as some experience gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 When my dd turned 5 I got her 4 or 5 of those silk scarves from Dharma Trading Co. and some packets of koolaid. We had fun dyeing them in the microwave. She played with them for awhile and then her "creative" side took over and she started cutting them up to make things--a "vest" for herself, capes for her stuffed animals, etc. Eventually they were all cut up and the pieces got thrown out bit by bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Magazine subscription? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristi26 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 School supplies like fun pencils, new crayons, stickers, play doh, clay, etc; supplies for cookies as suggested upthread; gift cards for places like ice cream places, movie theaters, book stores... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Another possibility is an adopt an animal at a local zoo or a zoo somewhere you visit (or through the World Wildlife fund or similar groups). Most send a certificate and a photo, so not much stuff, and it's fun to visit your animal. One of my favorites for kids who like reptiles is the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, where they actually label the animal's enclosure with the names of their adopters. My daughter had such fun visiting "Her" snakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Bubble bathFizzy bath tablets (ETA: Crayola makes some that turn the water different colors. I found them with the bath items in the baby section at Target)Bath crayonsShaving cream for bathtub playSidewalk chalkSilly stringPopsiclesGift cert to ice cream shopMake your own sundae kitMake your own hot chocolate kit w/toppings (cups, chocolate mix or recipe & ingredients, shaved chocolate, sprinkles, chocolate. Chocolate Syrup, Carmel syrup)Paint by number kitOther craft kits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Is she really into dogs or cats? If so she could ask for pet toys or food, then she'd have something to unwrap, but then she, being a big kid now, can take it to the rescue center. At that age, I think it's more about the excitment of the opening. A few days later, it's all just more of there stuff she already has. But if you do this, be sure to tell people that the wrapping is important. Look at your local rescue and see what they need. I would also recommend only have some people do this, she still needs a few 'things' at this age. But again, the wrapping is pretty important I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 GC for into class for one of those climbing gyms? Waldorf -style Stockmar watercolors (small containers, goes a long way), with pack of water color paper. Day Pass for a local aquarium, zoo, children's museum etc (if annual membership is too extravagant) Swim lessons/ pool pass. Dinner or lunch at local place that is kid-friendly. Ihop, or some such. Fo to movie, play, or ice cream shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 You all are wonderful :) sorry for high jacking your thread OP but I've been looking for ideas for dd1's 6th birthday that's coming up next month :) I had the worst timing with birthdays and Christmas. Dd1 is end of November, dh is middle of December and dd2 is end of January Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 My dd has a fifth bday in about a month and one of the things I have planned is one of those large table-top organizers with tiny drawers. I am filling each little drawer with little craft supplies. Pom-poms, googly eyes, glitter glue, Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, feathers, sequins, all kinds of things. My mom wants to send something so she is sending refills and extras. She is also getting an entire ream of cheap printer paper. This $2.50 gift at Christmas last year was one of her favorite gifts:) Also, she is getting more 'parts' to sets she already uses. Snap circuits, Magnatiles, That sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 A chicken you can mummify ala TWTM! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I would second the yearly passes to the zoo, children's museums, amusement parks, etc. Magazine subscriptions are great! (I remember being super young and getting Ranger Rick - do they still print those? Anyway, I LOVED it. It was the highlight of my month.)Kiwi Crate is great for monthly art boxes that come in the mail. A bit pricey for us to just buy right now, but I'd love to get a subscription one day. Hobby Lobby, also, has fun art boxes/kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 My dd wants a Reading Rainbow subscription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I would second all the suggestions for experiences. One thing my kids were given by a friend was a gift card to a local ice cream store. They LOVED that. I have to admit at first I thought it was kind of odd but they really loved the idea of being able to go in and choose whatever they wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Make Magazine is great, we have a sub and we love it. I would recommend it. I would agree with craft supplies, memberships, guest passes to something they would like to do, and other things like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 What about those really nice Melissa and Doug doll sticker books? They have ones with the dresses from around the world and historical dresses along with the more typical princess and fairy ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Memberships, tickets and craft kits that make things we can give away as gifts (perler beads make good coasters, pot holders, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I know exactly what you mean. This year I suggested movie tickets to my parents for ds. It ended up being a pain to order them online so they sent us money and told us to use it on that or something else and we did. Jumping off the cupcake idea.... I recently went to a young girl's birthday party and got her this: http://www.amazon.com/Bakelicious-Cupcaker/dp/B00IWHTQY4 She and her younger sister (your dd is between their ages) loved it and used it to make pancakes the day after the party. I got it at Hobby Lobby with a coupon. Not sure if this would be kitchen clutter, though lol. Oh that's so cute! My dd's would have loved that when they were younger. They loved getting kitchen utensils of their own. They were kept in the kitchen obviously, but it encouraged them to help with food prep and cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLMom Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I know this sounds weird but some years we have given our kids (for Christmas) their favorite junky food. I normally don't buy sweet cereals, pop tarts, soda, etc. so they loved getting those things. Not sure if a younger child would like that sort of thing although my youngest was around that age when we did it once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Edible science kits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 We have that problem, too. I always suggest coloring books, stickers, crafty type things. And my five year old loves that sort of thing, so it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Oh I forgot one of my youngest dd's favorite activities. Window Art by Klutz. That might be for older kids though. A warning: do it on newspaper or on something that can get messy. Dd used her school desk and it ended up being a hot mess. But we had lots of cute art on our windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 She's five. Let her make crap. It's the process not the product. Let your family buy those awful art kits you'll hate. Your daughter will love them. You could steer her towards making felt dolls with yarn needles, or learning to knit since it's an actual skill, but count on her being attracted to the glitter glue and ride it out. My daughter was into that stuff yesterday. She's a senior in high school now :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Oh! And whilst it is not truly consumable, but my dd loves to dress up. In the after-Halloween sales I usually gather up bits and pieces that she can have fun in...with zero qualms when they get destroyed:) How about a subscription to Magic School Bus science kits, or online things like iXL, Starfall, ABC mouse or whatever is at her level? Brain Pop or Brain Pop Jr., subscriptions to magazines like National Geographic for kids, Highlights, that kind of thing. Alex always gets kits or extras that I know she could use for whatever we are learning about. Geode kits, crystals kits, raising insect kits, all those fun 'extras' that are great fun. Globes, outdoor scientist tools like a camelback, identification cards, jewelry loupes, magnifying glasses, just useful things:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I tok my niece to a children's play for her 4th Birthday. She loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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