Really stuck for a gift for Niece - only child left to buy for!

[chloemegjess]

Hi. I love buying for the children and all the others are so hard to buy for! I don't really see my neice as she is my husband's brothers daughter and he has split up with her mum so he only sees her every 2 weeks and then just wants to spend the time with her, so we prob only see her once every few months.

She is 3.5 but not into girly things at all and dispite MIL shoving dolls and tea sets at her at every opportunity she is just not interested.

I keep asking MIL, BIL etc what she IS into, but they only tell me things that they have got her! And I have no idea what she will like and what she has got!

So to be honest, I really need something that any child will like or something unusal.

I only want to spend about £10 as we are not close and its just really to say we have bought her something.

Any ideas?

What about somthing crafty like finger paints and coloured paper.

Nice cosey pjs? Not thrilling i'll admit but useful and you can get some lovely snuggly brushed cotton ones this time of year. Our dd is 3.3 and is really into comfy pjs - although she's prob picked up on her mum's love of cheerful cosey pjs, one of my shopping weaknesses.

Something unisex like lego, moonsand, books, jigsaws and 3 year olds are just beginning to get into games ELC does some good ones. Toys for kids are so arbitrary anyway. Even with my own DC, I find they don't bother with the toys I think they'll love and play endlessly with the stuff I barely thought of.

BTW Sainsbury's have been selling all toys half price but I don't know how much longer that will go on

what about this?

bug catcher set

binoculars

pens and activity/ sticker book

set of books eg here and free delivery on those

craft apron and some paints

baking set

dressing up eg as animal if not girly princessy type

doctor set

finger puppets

Thanks, some really good ideas there. I am a half asleep now but will have a proper think in the morning before we go into town.

I think Sainsburys have finished their half price toys now. I THINK it ended on wednesday, don't quote me on that. I got all my pressies for the other kids there but not her!

Moonsand

I like the idea of moonsand actually. Thats one thing that has stood out on this thread to me.

Do you know how much it costs?

If she already has some, does it really matter if she gets some more? As in, will it just add to her collection? Or should I ask her Dad first?

You could always get her a bubbles machine. Sorry, didn't have time to read the whole thread.

Cash till? shoping trolley?

Went to elc yesterday and they had loads of craft type kits that my 3 1/2 yr old would love.

If you are really not sure, how about a gift voucher? I know they are not as exciting to open but better than buying something she is not interested in.

(ps. I thought moonsand was quite epensive but don't know for sure.)

My 3.5 yo likes Playmobil and has just started playing with hama beads.

What did you get? Probably too late but I was going to suggest a game - hungry hippos is very popular with my ds1, age 3.8, and his friends.

Still haven't got anything, didn't get a chance to go shoppint properly. But I have plenty of time to actually go and get it, its just the actually deciding what to get which is taking the time and causing trouble!

DO you know of any good games to get that can be played on her own? She doesn't really have anybody to play with and her mum is a bit useless from what I know and she does have much contact with other children

I thought the moonsand was consired cr*p by Mumsnet consaensus.

What have her parents got her (so we know what she likes )

They have all got her scooby doo stuff which she loves but to be honest, I think they have got it all!

how about a marble run, my 3 and 5yr olds love it although may cost more than £10. My 3yrs olds also play hungry hippos by themselves and the manic martians game from elc they play alone too. Also second Moonsand, just bought a little kit with a couple of pony molds inside it for £15...