Please help with ideas for my 6yo dd

[HoneyandHaycorns]

DD desperately wants a sylvanian family hotel for Christmas. She wanted one last year but didn't get it. However, she did get a Sylvanian family restaurant instead. The problem isn't really money but rather space - she simply hasn't got room in her bedroom for another large toy and there isn't anything really big that she is willing to get rid of just yet.

So, I am trying to think of alternatives for her main present which won't take up as much space but I'm stuck!! Would really appreciate any bright ideas please!

In terms of what she likes, she is crazy about dancing. Also loves books, playing schools, clothes etc. Probably a fairly typical 6yo girl tbh.

Budget is more flexible than space. :)

TIA!

Honey we have a similar problem. My dparents have ordered an enormous Playmobil castle for ds and I have no idea where it will live. My dd has a Sylvanian windmill taking up the last inch of space in her bedroom too.

Could you get her the little sets which would go inside the hotel but not the hotel itself? They could be stored in a box with a lid so not on show all of the time.

Could you install deep shelving in her room for things to be stored so that she had room for the hotel?

Could you rotate toys so she doesn't have the same ones in her room all the time and the ones not in use could go in the loft or a similar storage area.

If she loves dancing how about a wii console and a Just Dance game (I have just been playing with dd and it is great fun and a wee bit of extra exercise in the winter months). There are at least 3 Just Dance games available so there is a top up for her birthday later in the year too.

Could you get her lessons for something? eg ballet or ballroom or ice skating or horse riding or similar. Time and money are required but not much space.

Would she be interested in tickets to go to a dance show of some sort eg a child friendly musical? (with maybe a small toy to open and play with on the day)

How much room is there in her wardrobe or dressing up hamper? Could you get her some really amazing dancing outfits for dressing up at home.

I will try to think of more solutions.

Wow carrots - some great ideas there!

I'm really liking the idea of the wii console and dance game as she truly is dance crazy but am totally ignorant about this sort of thing - how does it work exactly? Do we plug it into the TV? And how much space would we need a) for the console and b) to actually do the dancing? (sorry, have no knowledge of wii, x box, play station etc

She already does dancing three times a week at present, so don't really want to enrol her in any more classes, though she'd go every night given half a chance! However, tickets for something might be an option - will definitely have a look to see what's on.

Thanks for all the ideas - lots to chew over! Hope that you manage to find a solution to your own space problems!

the wii console is tiny and it plugs into the tv. there are 3 Just Dance games out now and my DD loves them - she is 11 but my DS is 7 and enjoys them as well. You don't need that much room to dance really. We have got DD the Michael jackson one for xmas which looks fun

The console is about the size of a thick hardback book. You just plug it into an AV socket in the tv. I don't think it is too tricky to set up. A small sensor sits infront of the tv. You then get a hand controller (about the size of a remote control) which you hold in your hand and strap to your wrist. The sensor picks up the movement of the controller - so in just dance it senses where your hand is as you dance. It is great fun.

To dance you need room to spread your arms out to either side of you and infront of you.

Hmm, sounds interesting. :) Might definitely be on to a good idea here!

Can anyone tell me a bit more about wiis in general? I have never had any interest in games consoles so know nothing about them at all. What else can you actually do with them? Also, what happens when you play with the dance ones? What can you see on the screen, and how exactly is it different from dancing along to a dance DVD or similar? Also, do people find that these consoles have longevity or is it something that kids tend to lose interest in after a couple of weeks?

Sorry, feel a bit thick as I'm probably the only person left in the country who doesn't know this sort of thing?

Get this bed to maximise floor space to cram all the crap delightful toys in her bedroom!

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We have had ours for about 4 years and enthusiasm comes and goes. It is used much more in the autumn/winter when the dcs can't run around outside so much (we are in a rural area of Scotland).

When you are playing just dance you see the silhouette of a person dancing and along the bottom of the screen a little person icon shows you the moves. On the left a bar fills up according to how well you are following the moves and it tells you ok, great etc as it fills.

We all use it tbh. Dh plays Guitar Hero (guitar playing simulator) and golf games on it. I play wii fit which is jogging, mini step classes, hula hooping etc. Ds uses it most as he is obsessed with Mario games. He also plays Skylanders and Lego games on it. There are also games like Big Brain Academy which involve mental challenges. The variety of games available is huge.

Asda are selling the new wii family pack with 2 games for £89, which is £129 everywhere else, such a great buy, it is instore only though. We got ours on Tuesday, so hopefully still in store. Also got Just dance for £15 in Asda too, joint present for my DDs:)