6yo asking for things too young for her

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My DD is 6 and has been mentioning lots of things she'd like for Christmas. But I have a dilemma knowing that many of the things she'd like are too young or too small for her, and wanting to get her what she'd like for Christmas.

Just to mention these things aren't Santa presents...he only brings stockings in our house, so she knows she is asking us for these things.

For instance, a couple of years ago we got one of those colour-in cardboard ice cream vans from Hobbycraft. Even as a 4yo she was too big for it really as she's big for her age and it took up a lot of space, but she had fun with it before it fell apart. Now she wants another one. She wants to play inside it, not colour it in. She's too big for it! I'm not worried about the money...it's not expensive but she'll be disappointed! And I don't want it taking up so much space again!

She also wants a toy shopping trolley. But all the ones I can find seem to be designed for toddlers, not a tall 6yo. It doesn't seem like something she'll play with much either so I'm not sure where she's got the idea from.

WWYD? Would you get the things she's asked for or would you overrule and get some other surprises you know she'd love? Originally she was asking for musical instruments which I would very happily buy for her. I wish she'd stuck with that idea!

Can you take her to a toy shop where said items are available so she can see how big they are and recognise that they will be physically too small (and probably not as much fun as she remembers) She'll probably see loads of other things while she's there too that she will find far more interesting! She's being nostalgic for toys she's had that made her happy, but she's too young to realise that you can't recreate the past, bless her.

This is a super cute response, and I think probably quite accurate!

I would be looking at a tepee tent, you can buy fairy type lights to decorate it. Really good for stowing, soft toys and dolls as well.

Amazon

My DC had an ASDA shopping trolley that DD was still pushing at 6/7, although I can't remember quite how big it was. You could potentially steer her to other toys though, that you think she will have more fun with.

I think you can get cardboard playhouses the kids can colour in. The teepee idea is lovely too! I’m putting that on my Christmas list.

If she wants to play inside a box then something like the teepee idea is good. It could just be that she wants her own little enclosed space to play in and the only thing she remembers that does that is the Hobbycraft box. Or maybe she really does want a box and you could order her a huge one from a storage company or something.

The shopping trolley is harder. I think you’d be more likely to be able to get those pull along shopping trolleys in a size that suits her but probably won’t do it!

100% this.

Edit: oops quoted the wrong post but hopefully you get the idea.

If you’re crafty at all, you could buy a giant box big enough for her to fit in and draw some features on it that she could colour in?

If she likes building things and getting inside them have a look at Superspace. It’s pricey but fun!

Let her have what she wants, she will be grown up before you know it.

The Hobbycraft colour in play spaces are only £15, I'd just get her one if I'm honest. If it's a waste of money it's not much and you could donate it if she hasn't coloured it in.
We've bought it for our 3.5yo this year and I know she'll love it. But obviously she's probably more the age I'd expect to play with it

Thanks for the suggestions all. She already has a teepee which does get played with a fair bit. Just to add, she is the youngest of 3 so no chance of anything being passed down.

@Mmmkaay, thank you. I actually hadn't thought of it like that but I think you're absolutely right and it's a lovely way to think of it.

So along a similar vein, what I'm now thinking is maybe a den-building kit, a bit like this one...
Den kit

...and then I've found this as well:
Play curtain
It's meant for a door frame but I'm wondering if I could fashion it somehow with the den kit?! But if not, she may well have fun with both individually. I will have to steer her away from the cardboard van beforehand though...I have the fear of her little face being disappointed on Christmas morning!

'Our Generation' dolls come with lots of 'real world' playsets. They have an ice cream van.....

ourgeneration.co.uk/collections/food/products/two-scoops-ice-cream-cart-bd35132z

I’d try and slightly level up her suggestions so if you have outdoor space at all get her a pop up tent that she can make magical with some fairy lights and cosy blankets and have a magical evening looking for shooting stars or something before bedtime? Or the shopping trolley can you get her a little bag and purse (Smiggle have lovely accessories and do a great sale in November) and then when she goes to actual shops, she can shop with you?

This is perfect and so cute. It can also be a little cosy reading space too if you put a cushion in there.

If you get a blank teepee tent or even a big bed tent and some fabric paints she could decorate it herself. Then she'll have the enjoyment and ownership in the same way.

Maybe a few items she can design and decorate herself.

Tie dye sets are great fun, she could do some t shirts.

As for the shopping trolley you might just have to say you couldn't find one big enough. But maybe a cute trolley case for sleepers would be something she can enjoy filling up and taking around.

She sounds sweet.

Sleepovers not sleepers!!!

Just to say again, she has a teepee already which gets a fair bit of use. But it was a lovely idea.

Upthread, I mentioned the possibility of a den kit though and a printed role play curtain which might be an option?

The Our Generation ice cream cart is gorgeous but she's not really one for playing with dolls. She has a couple of OG dolls passed down from her sister, as well as one that she chose, along with loads of props and clothes and they are largely unplayed with.

I think she might also get this yearning for the younger kids toys from the fact that she goes to a childminder twice a week and there are a huge selection of toys for all ages there. Whereas she is the youngest in our house and her siblings are teenagers so not quite the same variety of toys now!

Both of those toys are fine for a 6yo imo. Just try and find the biggest/most age-appropriate. Aside from size, I'm struggling to see any issue in with a 6yo playing shops or having a colour in den. My 7yo still quite likes playing with a lot of the toddler's toys. I'm feeling a bit sorry for youngest/only kids here... Would you be bothered, OP, if it was your oldest or middle child playing with the younger one's toys?

Olli Ella has a range of baskets on wheels, would that work? I think some are for adults (and possibly some for dolls?) so check the dimensions carefully. They’re not the cheapest new but I’ve seen them on vinted before.

Apart from size I don't think there's an issue with those age wise
My 8 year old would love both and play with them.

This looks quite big

"ASDA Shopping Trolley | Toys & Character | George at ASDA" https://direct.asda.com/george/toys-character/kids-toys/pretend-play-toys/asda-shopping-trolley/050081763,default,pd.html

My 7 year old DD wants a toy phone - like a fisher price phone for toddlers. I'll get her it, but I don't know why she wants one!

Or this one

"Childrens Supermarket Shopping Trolley | Kids Shopping Trolley" https://www.storefittingsdirect.co.uk/product/childrens-supermarket-shopping-trolley-25l-mini-trolley-for-kids/