What to get 3 y.o DD whose older siblings are getting bikes?

[dublinmom]

Our DD (7) and DS (5) desperately need new bikes so they are getting them for Christmas. But when we were at the bike shop 'looking at bike locks for Dad' (eyeing up prices and sizes for the kids) it was the 3 year old who was most excited about the bikes.

But...we have a perfectly good 12 inch (boys) bike we were planning to pass on to her from her brother. It's very boyish, which she probably would be okay with. It's the right size, in good shape, etc -- no need to spend money on a new bike for her.

It's just the Christmas morning thing -- Santa brought your sister and brother these big presents, and you get...what?

Any ideas for a suitable biggish present that would make her not mind the bike thing? We've got no garden so it can't be a playhouse or slide, we have a play tent, we have scooters (the mini micro scooter would be good, but it's so expensive we might as well get another bike).

Poor thing has hand me down everything.

[Besom]

Could you disguise the hand me down bike with stickers, etc? My parents did this with a bike of mine - painted it blue for my brother. He honestly didn't notice and was surprised about it when I told him when he was about 30!

Otherwise - dolls house?

[MamaPizza]

Asda currently have a lovely wooden dolls house for £35. Would that be something she might like?

Have a look!

It really looks lovely in real life and I would love to have it for myself.

[MamaPizza]

Besom, cross posting. Great minds

[Besom]

Although parents had to obviously brief me beforehand so I didn't give the game away. I was about 7 or 8, so your 5 yo might not cope with that.

[Besom]

Yes, we got that dolls house last year for dd, although it's actually nicer on the outside this year. Very good value for money.

[Lotkinsgonecurly]

Can't you just pimp the boys bike and give it to her on Christmas day as her new bike?

A pink basket, new handlegrips with streamers or something, things for the wheels new stickers and a lovely helmet? Much cheaper, ethically much better and she still gets a new bike?

We reguarly do this with both children and neither has a problem with hand me down gifts.

[bunnyspoiler]

Sell the boys bike and buy her a new one? I had hand me down everything as a child whereas my siblings (1 sis 1 bro) had everything new. It did grate to be honest. Hand me down some things fine, but not too much IYSWIM

[MrsUnassumingTroll]

We got 3yo a very cheap bike from Halford's recently, about £40 IIRC? She loves it.

[nulgirl]

Why don't you get her a balance bike? They are great for little ones and she'll feel like her older siblings. You can pick them up very cheaply second hand. I know that you said that you didn't want one but the mini micro scooter is the best purchase we have ever made for the kids. Not sure how much they cost second hand but for cost per hour of use is so much better than any other toy we've bought. She'll get much more use out of that and then she could inherit the bike next year.

[moragbellingham]

Mini micro scooter definitely. We bought one for DD and an inferior version for her sister, it is worth paying out that bit extra for the amount of enjoyment she'll have.

[ragged]

I agree just pimp up the bike as it is, pink tassels and stickers etc.
I'd be a bit surprised if a 3yo really minded not getting a bike like the others, maybe my 3yos are just quite immature, though.

[tassisssss]

If you've not got a mini micro scooter it is the way ahead!

[Pigleychez]

I would second the others in saying pimp it up!

Ideas here

[http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_369465_categoryId_165606_langId_-1?cm_sp=Intelligent_Offer--Product_List_Zone_1--Blank&iozone=PLPz1 here]]

here

Can of white or pink spray paint and you have a fab girly new bike!

Or how about a scooter?

If you didnt want a wheeled option then the dolls house is a good option. DD1 is 3 and loves her wooden dolls house.

[dublinmom]

Thanks for the opinions! I think she wouldn't be upset overall, just the actual moment when she sees the bikes, so I just need something to cushion the blow really. And this child really would mind not getting what the others are getting, it's the story of her life unfortunately!

Re-decorating the boys bike is an idea (what kind of paint do you use?) but that would have to be after Christmas, becuase how would Santa get a hold on the bike, paint it, then bring it back? :)

The mini micro scooter is going around and around in my head but the cost!

[MamaPizza]

A scooter isn't expensive. Have a look at this one. DS is getting the boys version. You can start at 4 wheels and go down to 3, then 2. Height for the bar is also adjustable, so it will grow with her. Excellent reviews!

[MamaPizza]

Obviously it's not 'micro', but to be honest, I wouldn't splash out on a very expensive one until they are later anyway. Same with bikes.

[tassisssss]

Mini micro - worth every penny.

I thought I could justify the expense as we have a younger sibling but we ended up buying her her own. We love them. SO SO much faster and quieter and lighter than other scooters and can snap apart into 2 pieces to pop into the car/under buggy/in luggage on plane.

LOVE THEM.

[dublinmom]

We have a 1 yo as well so I've got her in mind as I think about scooters...

We have a couple of the rubbishy 3 wheel clunky kind but they're really slow. I've heard the mini micro is fast, is it really true? Even for a dreamy girl who wants to sing and chat to trees on her way to nursery?

I've seen sort of knock-off ones that look like the mini micro but half the price. This one: www.toys.ie/Ybike-Glider-Pink-!109048-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=690b1cc4-8d7f-46c1-979e-57f10f791cc0

called Ybike glider. But is it cheaper because it's actually useles???

[sunnyday123]

i also suggest mini micro- we have got 4 cheap scooters in the shed! - all rubbish and the only ones they have ever used are the mini micro - all the others have been a complete waste of time! We got dd3 a great balance bike (pink and white) from toysrus last year for £25 and its fab! Everyone comments on it - this year she is getting a 14inch bike without stabilisers cause the balance bike taught her to ride without!

[moragbellingham]

I don't know what it is about the mini micro but when my DDs scoot you can definitely tell the difference in speed and manoeuvrability. The ELC one is slower but we got it exactly for that reason for a daredevil DD.

[moragbellingham]

We got a balance bike online from TK Maxx last Xmas for £35 but I'm but not sure if they have toys etc. in yet.
It was missing some screws, so DD had a bike with removable handlebars on Xmas morning. I have learnt to check/assemble as soon as I buy now.

[anchovies]

We had a similar dilema last year, sold ds's bike and bought this. Very expensive but she has literally ridden it every day since. She could now at 3.5yrs ride a bike with pedals as her balance is so good. What sold it to us was the brake (which she can use really well) and the fact that they sell for almost what you pay for them on ebay.

[myBOYSareBONKERS]

Why do you need to wait until after christmas?

Spray paint the bike now. New saddle to match the colour. Bell or hooter added. She wont know it was her older brothers then.

[4madboys]

i say mini micro as its worth the money or a balance bike, you can get a balance bike for £50 if you look around, we got one from amazon with a brake, they are fabulous and you can re-sell them once she has outgrown it.

[Pigleychez]

DD has this loves it :)

Super cheap!