I want a really lovely TOY for 5 yo girl

[Asleeponasunbeam]

My lovely niece is eldest of 3 and takes this role very seriously. She doesn't play much, unless it's with her little siblings in a helping/ caring way. Her parents are coping with lots of difficulties at the moment and DN, although much loved and well-cared for, is perhaps missing out a little bit on playing.

She has lots of craft materials and books. She's a great writer but finding school a bit underwhelming at the moment.

I want to buy a toy. Something to play with. Maybe not to share with her little siblings. She's never shown interest in dolls really. I don't think anyone has much capacity to play games with her at the moment. Also, a big difficulty for DSIL is anxiety around 'mess', so fiddly toys like playmobil are out I think.

My DD is only a few months younger so I should know what to get, but I don't. They're like chalk and cheese.

No budget set really, so suggestions welcome. Younger siblings will be much easier to buy for.

I think the puppet theatre is my favourite suggestion so far and sounds as if it might be perfect for her, from your description of her personality.

Secret diary sounds good to me. Someone told me that a gift tells the recipient what sort of person you think they are, or something like that. A secret diary tells her you think she is grown up enough to have lots of her own secret thoughts, that are important enough to lock up - and of course it's a very not-to-be-shared present, which sounds good in the situation you've described. When you give it to her maybe you could tell her you thought she'd like it because you know she's a really good writer. Might just work really well.

She sounds a little like DS who prefers role play to small world type toys. Based on that, how about:

• doctor's kit, toolkit, etc
• sandwich/pizza/cupcake play food where you get to 'make' the food (ELC, Melissa and Doug, etc)
• simple magic tricks she can do by herself (finger guillotine, pencil case with hidden compartment)
• gadgety lamp (lava lamp or desk lamp with one of those colour-changing remote control bulbs you can get from amazon)
• dressing up cape (DS won't generally do dressing up outfits, but capes are a great hit)

I know some of these aren't 'toys' but she might still get great play value from them.

Would she like a 1 player logic puzzle/game like this ?

My oldest did was not a player. She had lots of toys tart just didn't seem to interest her.. When she was five I bought her a playmobil castle which she didn't paly with and my dh said that I had to stop thinking that it was the toys that she wasn't interested in. She wasn't not playing with things due to the lack of opportunity.

I had to start thinking about it in a different way so I bought her a kitchen table from ikea and a billy bookshelf for her art and craft supplies. It's full of pipe cleaners, water colour paints, stamps, wool, old birthday cards etc. and that is what she does and has done for five years. She'10 nor and she makes books by sewing down the spine.

Her favourite presents are stationary and djeco art kits.

Just wanted to say THANKS for the link to the wicked uncle website. Brill brill - great ideas for Xmas :)

My DD5.5 loves her skipping rope, her face paints & her kite best of all at the moment. I am thinking now & am not sure she really plays with toys much! She is busy - role play, writing, drawing, making but not really playing with indoor toys. Personally I don't like the idea of secret diaries as don't think we should encourage them to bottle stuff up & not talk about it.

Does she like to build things? Would she like a marble run?

What about a first camera? www.amazon.co.uk/VTech-Kidizoom-Twist-Plus-Camera/dp/B00DGROGC2/ref=pd_cp_ce_0

Thanks, you're all very thoughtful.

I think her situation is a little different to how some of you describe your DC. She has learned not to be messy, noisy, playful because she is concerned for others, not because she just doesn't want to play.

She is very special.

I do love the diary idea too, but think it might be lost amongst all the other 'quiet' activities she has/ does. She is not materially disadvantaged. She is so, so loved and her parents are my favourite people.

Story cubes??Sorry can't link on my phone..

I have story cubes - they're great. Hadn't thought of those.

Tesco Hudl tablet for £79 - if you have Clubcard vouchers you can probably get it cheaper.

I think her grandad got her a tablet last year. Thanks.

Not sure if this has been mentioned but I just started a subscription to this for my dd (5yrs). Found issue 1 in shop and looks fab.
www.storytimemagazine.com

Vtech secret diary visual?

Lego play set

Hama beads

Crystal mining/gem digging kit

Sew cool kit

Triops/sea monkeys kit

CD player for her room?

not a toy as such but lovely and my girls love theirs

That magazine does look special. My DD would love it too.

And hurray for crystals and sea monkeys! More of my dBros favourite childhood toys.

Sylvanians? Or a beautiful box to keep secrets in? Snow globes

She has music/ jewellery boxes. In different circumstances I'd say she had everything a little girl could ever want.

My DD is older and loves Beados - a thoughtful child can do them by themself - crafty but not messy and don't need adult help. Unlike those terrible Hama beads. I love them!

I think Djeco stuff is amazing I know you want a toy but check it out, amazing creative sets.

www.brightminds.co.uk/djeco/b10

also tickety boo and loads of others sell their stuff.

glitter boards, foil cards.

if she has shown no previous form for playing with dolls or toys like that, i would leave it, some dont.

mine has never been one for dolls or mum role play.

prefers colouring ( djeco has amazing pen sets)

check out www.amazon.co.uk/Pretty-Patterns-Colouring-Buster-Activity/dp/1907151575/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413666974&sr=1-1&keywords=pretty+patterns+colouring+book

buster activity do amazing colouring books

a furby>?>>>>

mrsheen

what a brilliant looking game, am thinking of getting that myself now,

What about Lego Friends? 5yo DD and co are mad for that at the moment.