What can GPs get 2 year old dd for bday and Xmas that won't take much room?

[wildpoppy]

Dd turns two a week before Xmas. Both sets of GPs are v generous with presents and err on the large and plastic side of things.

But DC2 due same week and our house also very small.

Any ideas for presents I can suggest they get her when they ask? My DPs not bad. Though they have a love of tat my mum appreciates our lack of space and has said she'd like to get dd things for her dressing up box which is perfect as she loves dressing up and doesn't take much work.

ILs on the other hand will ask what they should get her and then ignore it, but in the hope they don't ignore it what could I suggest? They will want to get things so will def ignore suggestions like premium bonds or swimming lessons.

Posting in chat too to maximise replies.

A jewellry box? A sled? (keep that outside) a garden toy such as a swing?

Jewellery box is good idea thank you. Not really got garden as such.

Bike or scooter?

Mini micro scooter now comes with a seat thing to make it a ride on and suitable from 2. Will fold away but fab for throwing beneath the buggy and taking out at the park etc

Duplo? Some of the sets come in biggish boxes, but the pieces themselves don't take up too much room.

The mini micro scooter is fab - DS used his without the new seat attachment.

Table top easel? Pop up tent & tunnel combo that folds away? A nice table and chair set (if you were thinking of getting one anyway)? Kids CD player plus audio books? Brio train set?

Great ideas thank you. Have brio set and table and chairs but scooter is excellent idea. Dd has been covering them in park.

Sorry, meant to say DS used his from 2nd birthday without attachment.

Books?

A rug for her bedroom, or new curtains, bed linen etc. We've been there!

octons

keep these as an idea for next year, just realised they are for 3+ - but ds2 adores them and has taken them into nursery and everyone there adored them there too. They are just octagons that you can slot together. Great for imaginative play and for them to fiddle them together and strengthen fingers. But also great in so far as when they are taken apart they pack up in a very small box (obviously the one they come in is much bigger on account of them wanting to make it look big on the shelf!) DS has two packs and they all fit into a normal size pencil case. If we go out, I can just stick a handful in my handbag and he still has lots of fun with them. And ds1 who is 7 still likes to take them over whenever he spots an opportunity so will last a long time too!

A season ticket to your local zoo/botanical gardens/child-friendly museum?

A Wendy house?

Can be disassembled when not in use?

Along the wendy house idea, what about a pop-up camper van play tent from Argos, page 1674 in the catalogue? Easy to put away when not in use.

Or anything from the Aquadoodle range, page 1495, the travel drawing bag style looks as though it would be useful to take on holidays, visiting relatives etc, and non messy.

Yes to books, does DD have any favourite characters that they could choose from?

Thanks. ILs wouldn't see books as a present . Luckily we do and buy lots.

I find the trouble with 'easy to put away when not in use' is the inevitable wails when we mention we don't want said toy taking up half the space in our living room for evermore............

I think a season ticket is a great idea, but if they want to buy a gift then a special tea set. We had one that was tin which came in a little suitcase, and a picnic set all in cloth - something like this:

www.amazon.co.uk/Oskar-Ellen-Soft-Tea-Set/dp/B002PEP9QO/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1348685913&sr=1-1

It is still played with by 6-year-old dd.

Just resurrecting this thread in case there are any more ideas as I've been asked for a list.