Author Topic: Birthday gift for 5yo girl  (Read 2757 times)

Sibley

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Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« on: August 11, 2016, 07:21:20 PM »
A friend of mine's daughter is turning 5. I'm invited to the party, and would like to take a gift.

5 years old
VERY high energy
Very intelligent
Has a 6 month old baby sister
They just moved into a house from an apartment.

Ideas for low cost something that will provide lots of entertainment? Are jump ropes remotely age appropriate? I'm thinking something to help direct her energy would be good.

marble_faun

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2016, 10:53:36 PM »
How about a box of sidewalk chalk?  Low-cost, fun outdoor activity -- & lots of possibilities, like drawing pictures or creating hopscotch squares.

Jesstache

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2016, 02:09:13 AM »
I have a 5 year old daughter.  She absolutely loves to craft so she has lots of scissors, pens, markers, strings, glue, paper, foam stickers, beads (check the dollar store) etc.  she also loves riding her scooter and bicycle. 

Our go to gift for that age though is a pair of movie tickets from Costco ($15 ish) and two $1 boxes of candy from the big bin at Walmart or target.  Kids love the movies and it takes up no space in the house!

bogart

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2016, 09:39:40 AM »
Other ideas ... first, it's never a bad idea to touch base with parents, just sending a quick email for ideas (if you want them) and or asking about "item ____" if it's something you'd like to give but aren't sure it would be welcome (see below :) !).  Now, other thoughts ... dominoes (fun to play, count with, and build with), books, a small pop-up toy tent or tunnel (can be used indoor or out, depending on climate), a soccer ball (likely size 4 for that age), an inflatable beach ball decorated as a goal (easy to find online), real kid-sized work gloves (garden gloves) -- they do exist, ditto for a real, kid-sized shovel.  My son has had one of the latter since he was 4 (not the same shovel over all those years, as the one he has now would not have fit him at that age) and has derived all kinds of fun from digging holes, tunnels, etc., in the "yard;" it's also fun to take on beach trips.  But obviously this wouldn't be for everyone as it seems some people object to kids digging holes/tunnels in their yards (go figure) and/or don't garden. 

gatortator

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2016, 09:54:22 AM »
I agree, jump ropes are great high energy solo activity!

 Agewise, it's close.  My daughter and her friends were completely into jump ropes in 1st grade, but generally ignored them in kindergarten.  so I would say-- depends on the kid/ social circle.

chinese jump rope might also be good.  again depends on the child.
https://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/just_jump_it/just_jump_it_chinese_jump_rope.cfm?redir=yes

or the skipper was pretty popular
https://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/just_jump_it/skipper.cfm?redir=yes

or this is also one of my standard gifts for the age group.
https://www.amazon.com/Funsparks-JM1000-Jazzminton-Paddle-Game/dp/B00WR2HH4Q

Sibley

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2016, 10:34:51 AM »
The tent/popup tunnel is a great idea bogart! I would have loved that as a kid, and you're right, it's year round! Plus, it could potentially be used for years. Actually, a lot of good ideas from everyone, but that one really caught my interest.

I've checked with the mom, she had no ideas for me. Actually, she thought it was funny that I was asking, but she did say a jump rope is a little old for the kid right now.

Dicey

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2016, 10:58:16 AM »
I bought my nephew the kind of  pop-up tent that sits on the bed. He loved it for years. It folded flat and slid under the bed for easy storage. Periodically my sister would stow it away so he could rediscover it. Otherwise, a box, $10, and a trip to the dollar store.

Ceridwen

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2016, 11:25:27 AM »
How about a scooter? My 4 year old is obsessed with his.

gatortator

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2016, 04:45:44 PM »
completely forgot one other idea in case the kid in question has lots of stuff.  Get a gift certificate/pass to a local indoor trampoline place.   

No added clutter for the parents, plus a chance for the kid to get out of the house and burn off energy.

Sibley

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Re: Birthday gift for 5yo girl
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2016, 10:06:06 AM »
Update! Well, birthday party was last weekend. I ended up giving her a package deal I found at Aldi of markers, crayons, watercolors, and colored pencils, plus a thing of sidewalk chalk that was unearthed from my parent's basement (unopened, just dusty). Total cost: $10. Kid was happy.