Presents for a Five Year Old?!

Piggles12345

Hello all,

I have a small child in my family (well actually it's my partner's family but he's useless at present buying and I don't think sending vouchers to everyone is very nice!). Anyway, every year I have the same problem- I know nothing about children. So when it comes to birthdays and Christmas, I tend to cobble a few bits and pieces together and compensate for my potentially rubbish present with loads of sweets.

This year said child is coming up to five and I have no idea what five year olds are into. Most of the things I'm looking at online tend to either be 'recommended for 8+' or look a bit naff and patronising. My question is what are five year olds into? Can they read at this point? If so, what kinds of books? How many pages? What sorts of toys do they like? I was thinking of some kind of art kit thing but a lot of them seem quite fiddly.

I was also thinking of a pyjama set and a personalised pencil case and baking a few cupcakes in a nice presentation box. Is this completely naff?

By the way, said child is a girl but I'm not buying anything pink or 'princessy'.

I should also say, although it's probably fairly obvious, we hardly ever see this child (maybe once a year at a push). That's why I have no idea if she can read etc.

I should also say that my budget's about £15-£20.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me

jjblondie

Many five year olds can read basic things, but not all will be up to books with more than a few words on each page. How about a jewellery making kit (doesn't have to be pink), a baking kit, or an outdoor garden set? A box comprised of a skipping rope, garden chalks, a water pistol, a space hopper - that sort of thing?

Horseunderwater

Then send nothing. Harsh I know. Your OH is choosing not to get to know his child better for whatever reason ( whether it is access or just not wanting to). Not judging by the way. If he is paying maintenance for her upkeep, then leave it at that.

Piggles12345

jjblondie wrote: »

Many five year olds can read basic things, but not all will be up to books with more than a few words on each page. How about a jewellery making kit (doesn't have to be pink), a baking kit, or an outdoor garden set? A box comprised of a skipping rope, garden chalks, a water pistol, a space hopper - that sort of thing?

Oooooh, I like it! Like an outdoor, here comes summer adventure set- I wouldn't mind one of those myself! What were those things called that were like balls but with a ring of plastic around that you used to stand on and bounce? I used to love mine, I'm sure they must still do them!

Any other ideas are gratefully received :j

tea_lover

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Then send nothing. Harsh I know. Your OH is choosing not to get to know his child better for whatever reason ( whether it is access or just not wanting to). Not judging by the way. If he is paying maintenance for her upkeep, then leave it at that.

I don't think it's her OH's child, just a child in his family. Unless I've read that wrong.

go_cat

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Then send nothing. Harsh I know. Your OH is choosing not to get to know his child better for whatever reason ( whether it is access or just not wanting to). Not judging by the way. If he is paying maintenance for her upkeep, then leave it at that.

I may be wrong but where in the OP does it say its her partners child ? I read its in her partners family ?

Piggles12345

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Then send nothing. Harsh I know. Your OH is choosing not to get to know his child better for whatever reason ( whether it is access or just not wanting to). Not judging by the way. If he is paying maintenance for her upkeep, then leave it at that.

Gosh, sorry I haven't made myself clear. This girl is his sister's daughter, so my partner's neice!

To be honest, I totally see where you're coming from. We live miles away and don't have any sort of relationship with this child aside from seeing her occassionally at Christmases when we visit my partner's parents. I think we're just the crazy uncle and aunt to her- not sure she knows our names and she certainly couldn't pick us out of a line-up! It seems a bit daft that we spend time and money sending presents which are probably rubbish anyway. As you said, harsh but true!

MrsManda

What relation is she? If you're close enough as a family to send her a birthday present then get your partner to ring the girl's parents and ask if there's a present list or anything particular she'd like.

My friend did an amazon wishlist for her little boy's 3rd birthday to reduce the risk of duplication and give people ideas - we bought him a book of Grimm fairy tales

Moominmamma

If you're looking for a book "The Great Dog Bottom Swap" is hilarious, my 5 year old loves it. Chicken Socks / Klutz books are also great, particularly for girls.

Djeco do some lovely arty crafty stuff for girls too, and something that my dd loves (and I loathe!) are Littlest Pet Shop figures.

Happy shopping

JimmyTheWig

Does it have to be easy to post? I think a spacehopper might cost more to send than to buy!
Other than that, I love the "outdoor kit" idea.

There's such a range of 5 year olds, it's hard to be specific.

Anything with Hello Kitty on it is likely to be a hit, but that sounds a little too much like what you don't want to buy. Equally Peppa Pig is likely to go down well unless she thinks she's too old and cool for that.

In terms of reading she'll be in reception class at school. That means (if it's anything like the schools around here) they'll have started learning the letter sounds (phonics) and how to put them together. But not really "reading" as such.
If you want something to help her reading then I'd suggest "Jolly Songs" from Jolly Phonics. It's probably what they're learning at school (up to you if you want to check) and comes with a CD of the songs. Great for car journeys.
You could get a simple book that is picture-led (e.g. the "That's not my..." range).
Or get a book that her parents can read to her. I'd suggest anything by Julia Donaldson and Axle Sheffler. They've probably got The Gruffalo (I think everyone has!) but you could go for my favourite which is Tiddler. But they're all good.

Other suggestions...
A jewelry box.
A money box (with a link to MSE's children's savings accounts!).
A snow globe.
Playdoh.

Personally I find those art and craft kits really annoying and so never come out "on my watch". But I know others like them.

kj*daisy

5 year old girls generally love anything creative and crafty, lots of craft kits are suitable for that age:)