Christmas Gift ideas for 2.5yr old girl

kerri_gt

Hi, I was wondering whether anyone had any good ideas for a christmas present for my OH GG? She 2.5yrs old. Budget is up to £20-ish.

Previously for gifts we've bought clothes or toys but since she's getting a little older now I'd like to get her a toy of some sort as I feel it's something more for her to enjoy than clothes now she's got more of an idea about christmas. Ideally I'd like something interactive / educational that encourages learning / development, though would prefer something that doesn't include 101 batteries (is that possible these days?) but wouldn't totally discount something that is battery operated so long as she has to do something to interact with the toy too.

I've had a look and it seems a hard age to buy for, getting a little old for real baby-ish toys, but the next stage seems 3-4 which she still may be a bit young for.

tia x

tealeaves

Hi, I've got my 2.5yr old the vtech my laptop, it says 3 yrs But my LO loves computers, numbers, letters.
Happyland stuff seems really good for that age too, as now they are starting to play with different characters, and being a 'puppeteer' in a way.

It depends what sort of learning you are trying to achieve with the toy. Does she have particular interests? Musical instruments can be good too.

cdsmiler

Hi! My daughter is around that age, 3 this Christmas. She loves books, jigsaws, musical things - she ADORES playing in her play kitchen and making everyone a cup of tea, and is now getting into 'play shopping'. She enjoys playing with happyland/sylvanian/dolls house type things too. Drawing, painting, play doh. You could do a big 'craft' set??

Hope that helps a bit?

Clare x

vikki_louise

Get a big box, few packets of cheap balloons, blow all the balloons up and cram them into the box the night before. Endless fun and entertainment for a kid with very little cost (and no long term clutter)

kerri_gt

Thanks everyone who has replied - I do love the idea of the balloons in a box as she has two older brothers (one very close in age) and the younger esp would love that too - don't think OH would go for the idea though.

tealeaves wrote: »

Hi, I've got my 2.5yr old the vtech my laptop, it says 3 yrs But my LO loves computers, numbers, letters.
Happyland stuff seems really good for that age too, as now they are starting to play with different characters, and being a 'puppeteer' in a way.

It depends what sort of learning you are trying to achieve with the toy. Does she have particular interests? Musical instruments can be good too.

in answer to your question, I guess i'm just looking for something where she doesn't just sit and watch while the toy does everything - so much these days (gosh makes me sound old) seems to need batteries and whilst I do think there are some good interactive toys out there (I was looking at this for example http://www.amazon.co.uk/LeapFrog-Shapes-Sharing-Picnic-Basket/dp/B004560BPY/ref=pd_ybh_2) I like to encourage children to have to use their own imagination and ideas with toys rather than be led too much with things that talk at you - if that makes sense?

I'm really not sure about particular interests unfortunately, along the lines of craft etc I did think about moon dough, but that's 3yrs + so wasn't sure. A selection of 'crafty' items is a good idea (have to get over my play-doh phobia - as a child I hated the smell of it - my DN was playing with some and wanted me to make her some animals, smell still makes me want to gag :eek:)

loopylass

My grandson is 2 and a half and he loves playdoh and theres a lot of cutters, tools etc you can get off ebay
I am also doing a craft box for him with stickers, childrens scissors, glitter, felt pieces etc and i know he will love it
I am also going to get a set of plastic drawers so after christmas he has a home for everything

savingmonkey

My 2.5 year old daughter loves playing with dolls (baby type ones), so for christmas we have got her a new doll sitting in a feeding chair, a couple of outfits for the doll and a set of feeding stuff for it (spoons, bowls, bottle etc). Picked them up in the recent sainburys sale for half price they were great value, the doll was £6.50.

She also loves Happyland toys (although these can be expensive) and play food/tea sets/play cooking stuff - all good for imaginative play.

bossymoo

My DD was 2 in September. She likes to dress up, she likes to dance, loves her dolly, and toy pram, she also has a little dolls house with some happy land people for it.

For Xmas my mum is knitting her some dolly clothes. From Santa she is getting a peppa pig play set that was half price in tesco, and a small balance bike.

Little girls are easy to please! They even like cars and airplanes!

kerri_gt

I was always a cars and planes little girl too

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - Happyland would have been great esp as there's some items in the Sainsburys toy sale atm.

I eventually got her a couple of little tops, and the 'Shopping List' game by Orchard Toys - no batteries required

emweaver

My 2 year old loves dolls and the dols cots, prams etc. She also loves playing with her toy vacum cleaner, picnic basket and drawing.

Nuninge

kerri_gt wrote: »

I was always a cars and planes little girl too

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - Happyland would have been great esp as there's some items in the Sainsburys toy sale atm.

I eventually got her a couple of little tops, and the 'Shopping List' game by Orchard Toys - no batteries required

My son is nearly 4 and still loves the shopping list game so I think that is a great purchase. It really helped him to learn the simple rule of taking turns and rather sweetly he never minds who wins...if he picks up something that is on someone else's shopping list he just gives it to them!!!

For the future, I agree with people talking about Happyland as this is something that she could immerse herself in alone and does not require anyone else. I have some sets in the attic ready for Christmas that I got for a tenner rather than 40 pounds so look out for them after Christmas to store for her birthday maybe as otherwise they are expensive when fully priced.