Mumsnet Talk

Does anyone have any suggestions? Trying to avoid electronic, insular type activities eg Innotab. She likes creative play with her big sister the most (dressing up, using dolls or figures and reacreating stories etc). Has anyone spotted anything interesting recently? What have you bought your DD?

Astronaut suit and helmet, Cardboard rocket for our little girl this Christmas!!! thespaceshop.com I think.

Well, if that isn't the most original answer I get, I'll buy myself one too and wear it to the office through all of January...!

DD (2.11) is currently obsessed with cowboys so we are getting her this and a cowboy hat if I can find one

Whilst i was looking for something i did see John Lewis have some good dressing up outfits and accompanying paraphernalia (doctors dress up and medical bag etc).

Anything from the Melissa and doug range is good for this age. We have the cupcake writing set and doorbell house
www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-Bake-Decorate-Cupcake/dp/B0033UX0C4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353707503&sr=8-1

www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-12505-Doorbell-House/dp/B004KPKW8G/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1353707558&sr=1-1

Katiebeau - where did you order your rocket from? I can't find it on the (utterly brilliant) thespaceshop.com site.

Slinky - is she just 3 or closer to 4?

Our 4 year old DS received lots of Playmobil for his birthday and it has been a big hit with both him and his 2.5 year old sister. Their favourite is this plane and this spy car. They spend ages playing nicely with it together and DSS who is 9 will still play with it too, so it has longevity.

Mansion - 20% more off with code E4HD glamour mansion. Worth ringing your local one?

People whose children like dressing up might like play and wear pyjamas, which are a dressing up outfit and fancy pjs in one. My kids have the astronaut and the Knight of St George ones.

My 3 year old will be getting fingerpaints, a set of Kapla blocks (shared with his big sister), a torch that can project pictures of animals, a couple of books and a hand-me-down fingerpuppet theatre.

If she hasn't already read it, she might like the Julia Donaldson book "Paper Dolls". You could give it along with some paper and a pair of scissors for making dolls of her own.

I got a set of fairy-tale shadowpuppets for my 6 year old. I'm not if they would be sturdy enough for a 3 year old, but they have a lot of storytelling potential.

I'll dig back through my email tomorrow and get back to you re cardboard rocket (presents stashed at back of attic currently ) I bought it a while back when I saw it.

Slinkypebbles it was this one. http://www.eenymeenykids.co.uk/2-6-years/boys-2-6/cardboard-rocket-ship.html.

Apologies I don't know how to link and I'm on the phone so no crib sheet

My dd got a Little Tikes playhouse as a joint birthday and Christmas present. Expensive, but she is the eldest of 3 siblings (well, dc3 not yet born) so will get a lot of play out of it over the years.

Other things include:
-Some cars and a playmat with a roads system printed on it
-Electric toothbrush (her friend has one and she is very taken with the idea)

Am pondering a Glo-clock for her bedroom too.

Oh and a kalaidoscope!

Thanks Katiebeau ('twas me who asked), does it seem fairly robust? I like the whole folds flat when not in use bit.

I'm a bit of a space geek enthusiast so DS and DD stand no chance really. They WILL like it

She's just 3. Off to look at those suggestions - thanks all, a fine range! Back soon......

My 3yo is getting playmobil and a barbie as well as some little bits and jobs. I second an electric toothbrush - DD has just started using one and loves it! She is only 3 and a bit , we have lots of things from DD1 but barbies and playmobil are her faves.

We bought our then 3 yr old last christmas a box of ebayed peppa pig toys - it was a selection of stuff someone had collected. It always comes out when friends come to play - we also have the happy valley fire station, shops etc which we got various people to buy for her too so she had quite a set. They are always popular.

Cool, thanks all! We've also been looking at the ELC wonderland stuff - looks quite good and is available on eBay. She loves imaginative play with fugues, so Peppa is also a good suggestion. Times are tight here, so love the eBay suggestions too. Thankyou so much!

the netmums nearly new site is always really good for a bargain.

Nearly new site? Why have I not come across that before now??? . Where can I find it?

Register with netmums.co.Uk - choose your local site - I pop on mine daily - I've had amazing stuff and because you go to collect from peoples houses it is always immaculate and much cheaper than eBay

(don't use netmums for anything else mind you!)

"Tummy Ache"....greatfun for all the family. (Its a board game)

Agree ELC - last year I bought a happyland train set with loads of bits and pieces on ebay great gift, a quick wipe down but in superb condition and well played with.

Duplo (lego) do loads of lovely stuff - I like the car & caravan but again on a budget there are loads of sets on ebay - I've bought DS2 a used cargo aeroplane and collected locally.

VTech do a playbus with phonics which both boys play with, they can even sit on it. Ds1 uses it now and he's 7!