Birthday Present Ideas for Classmates of a 6 year old girl?

[Earlybird]

DD is almost 6, and so still at the age of whole class birthday parties - which means I've got about 15 parties to shop for over the course of the next 9 months. Plus, of course, any invites from special non-school friends too.

Rather than giving yet another pink plastic something or other, or the Barbie/Polly Pockets that seem to be standard fare, I'm wondering if any of you have suggestions for something a little more unusual/inspired. Anything you know of that a 6 year old girl might love to receive? Anything you like especially to give? I've had the thought that it might be nice to give a special book, or collection of books. Anyone have any good ideas?

BTW, I usually spend around £10-15 per gift.

You can get nice age appropriate Chad Valley craft sets in Woolworths, bracelet making sets, picture frames, keyrings etc.

craft things like clickits are good or those new magna bead thingies

hav just been on the book people and they are doing sets of books - my naughtly little sister, pippi longstocking, sophie ( dick king smith) and lots of other sets suitable for girls age 6 - have a look!

there's some nice 'charlie and lola' stuff around at the moment - i have bought this for 6 year old girls with success. they seem love the pens, pencils, pencil cases, stickers etc etc and of course there are also the books. recently got lovely wipe clean week planner with a tomato notepad for £6 which went down very well. depends, of course, how you feel about c&l and/or merchandise...

Hama beads are usually popular.

what abput fuzzy felt ?

can't believe you spend that much - I never go above a fiver!

Hamma Beads, Clickits, Ello

Craft things - maybe try somewhere like Baker Ross

Book sets on the Book People are good value.

I've been doing Hama beads for girls recently or threading necklace/bracelet sets. Otherwise nice stationery sets like Hello Kitty, "secret diary" type books or a creative craft boxed set.

Hi EB!

Agree wholeheartedly with the Hama bead suggestion (though if we all do it everyone's daughters will be swamped). I was in John Lewis recently & noticed that they had mini-Hama bead packs. Also Argos excellent for multi-packs of toys (when ds was this age I bought a bargain pack of Bionicles and it lasted for ages).

Books are a bit trickier because of risk child has already got said book. I think 6yos are the right age for book tokens, but that might be seen as uninspiring ...

The pencil factory in Cumbria does tins of metallic coloured pencils - you have to mail order them (here ) - but all little girls, and boys, seem to adore them. Nicely unusual too.

what about Geomag, most 6 year olds love that. you can even get it in girly pastels or sparkly versions if you feel the need.

we often give crafty things but especially the not quite so pink and plasticky things. recent favourites include. magic kits, also "excavate your own dinosaur" (from museum shops etc).

my 6yo dd adores all bugs and beetles and anything to do with small creatures, live or pretend. what about some of those more basic science kits, build your own volcano etc.

can you tell i have 3 dds and am on a single-woman-campaign to reduce pink plastic and glitter in the world?

We gave lots of these the year ds1 turned 6

Ello is another girly construction type set .

Some things I've bought recently (for 6-8 yr olds) are:

a top from Next

a glitter fairy magnet making set - need to make the plaster magnet & then paint

a make your own doll kit (not as complicated as it sounds)

a bead kit

For LOs 8th Bday she got things like a pen set, books, various crafty sets - french knitting, knitting, magnet making, a birdhouse kit, bead kits a horrid histories book on a topic they're doing at school this year.

WhSmith tend to have a good selection of more educational books.

For all dd's friends in Y1 she chose the same book -this one
and it was a huge success with every one of them.

She dressed up as Captain Horatio Flint on her school's book day (complete with pirhana fish).

Any other ideas?

Along the crafty line have you tried the little experience company? little experience They often have sale items too. Great kits in lovely packaging. They do some small kits ie bouncey ball making to bigger paint a boat kits. All have everything you need in a cute box/bag. I love them and tend to get 3 of each type when I do. Great for xmas too.

M and S also do great presents and books too and I think they are reasonable and always work plus if they get two of anything they are really god about exchanges without the reciept so your present won't be wasted.

I panic-bought a present yesterday for DD's friend's party today! Window Clings - got them in Cards Galore which is a card shop in London but I expect lots of other places sell them.

WindowClings

Basically, they are gel-like pink glittery hearts and flowers to stick on bedroom window or mirror. DD has ballerinas. They do "boy" ones too, crocs, vehicles etc etc as well as alphabet ones. Not suitable for under 5's.

Sorry looks like they've changed the website and aren't selling direct anymore. Shame as the sale stuff was always a really good buy. Think their range is smaller too. Will have a think about some other things.