What to buy Dd2 that compares to a new bike.

[loubielou31]

Dd1 8 is probably getting a new bike for Christmas. (Dd2 6 will therefore get the hand me down bike.) So what can we get Dd2 for Christmas that sort of matches a bike. They both have scooters. It doesn't need to be an outdoor toy just something that is as good as a new bike in the eyes of a six year old. All ideas please please help.

Roller skates? What sort of things is she into?

What sort of budget, most little girls I know are currently coveting the new Fur-real unicorn but it's pricey at around £100 so probably equal in value to a bike.

Well upto the same sort of price as a bike so about £100. But the cost wouldn't matter to do more the excitement iyswim. If our house had space then a dolls house would probably be a good idea but there is a very nice one at my mum's that they play with when we stay there.
She loves drawing and making but somehow that doesn't seem so exciting.

My daughter loves drawing and making too!

I've got her (totally unrelated to that) heelies and a metal detector for her birthday next week. She asked for the heelies and I know she'll be really excited about the metal detector because I pretended I was getting one for her cousin. They're both outdoor toys so kinda comparable with a bike?

Do you already have a trampoline? We've had ours for years now but it still gets a lot of use.

I really want roller boots. There's a play gym/roller disco near us that does adult nights (with a bar) so I'm thinking of asking Santa for that. You can still get the 70s style suede ones with the colored wheels and big stopper on the front. Might she like that?

Or a tent? My daughter regularly puts hers up in her bedroom and sleeps in it.

If you're willing to spend up to the cost of a bike, why not just buy her a bike of her own and then sell DD1's bike.

I realise selling something to buy something almost identical is a tad unnecessary but if a hand me down isn't being governed by money and the existing bike can be sold so as not to be wasted then it's always nice for both children to have something that is just theirs, otherwise it will only ever be DD1 getting the new bike.

We do have a trampoline and a climbing frame. The existing bike is a particularly nice one and already hers because dd1 has been riding a cronky old hand me down for a while that really is bad and so she needs a better one.
I don't think dd2 would be impressed with roller skates. Dd1 yes but then she's getting the bike. Oh it's so difficult.

We are doing similar.
DD1 (7.5) needs a new bigger bike so will be getting that for xmas.
DD2 (5.5) will get her sisters handme down as its still in good nick. I struggled with something to get her so plan to do up and change DD1's bike for her to have. I intend to remove the old princess stickers and have bought some new white star stickers to go on the sparkly pink frame, new handle bars, seat etc and basically jazz it up enough for it to look different and exciting.

It seems a bit odd that one gets a bike for Christmas and one gets the old bike and a Christmas present?

I would get her a new bike and sell her sisters old one after Christmas :)
I am a bitter middle child though

Would she like this? www.hobbycraft.co.uk/colour-in-cardboard-fairy-playhouse/578508-1002?gclid=CjwKEAjwh8exBRDyyqqH9pvf1ncSJAAu4OE35e4JM8WiY_5krDAaugZqkGX2njUkO07022cdWHjc3hoC4ujw_wcB obviously not same money value -perhaps more than 1 thing would equal it?

You said she already has a dolls house but what type? Depending on the size you could get either a large dolls house for barbies etc. Or a smaller one for sylvanian families, When I was little I loved my sylvanians and my mum made me a lovely big sylvanian families house, it had loads of play. I'm sure a sylvanian house plus sylvanians and furniture would go down a treat.
Or depending on what shes into, a my little pony castle, lego set, big toy castle, big playmobil set such as the shopping centre, hotel, castle, pirate ship

My DD2 (7) is getting a new bike and DD3(5) is getting a cot for her doll and a cot mobile (it's the mobile she keeps asking for) plus a new peppa pig play set. The cost won't be the same but the excitement will be. (DD3 refuses to ride so would not be impressed with a new bike)

This is why we don't do bikes as presents, but replace them when "needed"

Making them presents leaves you looking for something expensive that dc2 doesn't want or need to match the bike. It also seems unfair that on dc1 year they have to have bikes as a big present whereas dc2 just get given theirs albeit 2nd hand.

I think the idea of doing up her sister's old bike so it is new to her? For example, new bike stickers, beads for the spokes, a new bell, a new basket? Maybe a bike seat for her dolly?

What MrPorky said. Bikes are essential items here, not presents. Much like a bed or car seat, we replace as and when.

Would she like a musical instrument? A guitar?

Is she arty? How about a stand up easel with canvas and paints in a box?

A pair of guinea pigs with all the kit they need? Our DC got guinea pigs at about that age and loved them for six years.

Agree with Dragons that there's no need for the cost to be the same, as long as the excitement level is.

What about a giant cuddly toy? DS got a tiger bigger than him at that age. Still loves it (in his teens)

Some kind of tech - tablet, DS, games console etc?
What about really going to town on art and craft stuff - get one of those large plastic drawer units and fill it with paper, pens, pencils, stickers, craft materials of every kind. It doesn't have to be expensive if you hit poundshops, the works, home bargains etc

We don't give bikes as presents either so we can pass them down without any bitterness.

If she likes craft, could you make her a craft area? We have one that is a small IKEA Billy with boxes on filled with various crafty items. Stamps, Pom poms etc. there is paper, a long arm stapler, glue etc.

Or how about getting dd1 a bike but not for Xmas, and getting them both something less wow each.

I am thinking that maybe not a bike for Christmas but just because she needs one (maybe even in the sales) then Dd1 could get the roller boots mentioned up thread which she would love.
They would both adore guinea pigs and I also quite like them but they're something that we would need to think carefully about.
Dd2 does keep mentioning sylvanian families.

Bikes are never presents here for reasons above, and are always second hand. We also make no bones about selling outgrown ones and putting the proceeds towards to next new-to-us bike. Sales are a good idea, but also consider whether she will get much use out of it between Jan and March.

Sylvanians sounds like a good shout. Look at Schleich Bayala figures too.

Guinea pigs are the best cage pets ever. They are so friendly and cute. They whistle and squeak to communicate with you. They enjoy cuddles, let you feed them by hand, have great personalities and are easy to look after. The long haired, tufty ones are so sweet to look at and stroke. They live 3-7 years on average, so they will be around during the key years of childhood.