What do five year old girls like?

[philosophie_en_rose]

I took a card from an Adopt-a-kid tree, but have no clue what kind of toys little girls like? Forgive me for being a complete moran, but:

- do I have to worry about choking hazards?
- what would you recommend as "educational" (which is the only clue on the card)?
- do little kids really like all that Nickolodeon/ Bratz/ Barbie crap in the stores?
- do little girls really wear those whorish outfits I saw in the store today or are they just there because no one is willing to buy them?


Other info: I don't know anything about the girl's background. I don't want to assume that she's white or any particular race. She could be a foster kid or have a lot of siblings.

So, if you were a five year old, what would you want? (I might pick up another card, so ideas for boys are appreciated as well).

[rug]

1. A soft, stuffed animal is always treasured.

[philosophie_en_rose]

4. That's a great idea.

If she is a foster kid or at a shelter, she can take it with her fairly easily.

[TimeChaser]

6. I second that!

I loved stuffed animals then.

Hell, I love them now :)

[Beausoir]

51. I gotta disagree with you a little..

I have three daughters under 7....they never ask for stuffed animals.

I mean that with all respect. My little girls never play with stuffed animals.

[KitchenWitch]

2. Avoid the Bratz line

they look like little strippers.

Choking hazards are not an issue at 5.

Board games are good, and so are puzzles.

[philosophie_en_rose]

7. What about Dora the Explorer?

There were some puzzles and games that looked interesting. I think Dora is bilingual too. Educational and fun.

[KitchenWitch]

8. Dora is GREAT

My 4 year old loves her!

[CanuckAmok]

38. yeah, but "Dora" and "explorer" don't rhyme.

Are you trying to deliterise the population now?!

[Arugula Latte]

41. ... But "Dora" and "exploradora" do rhyme ... n/t

[philosophie_en_rose]

45. It does if you're British.

:) Dor-ah the Explore-ah. :)

[lady raven]

56. My 5 year old son LOVES Dora and Diego

[LeftyMom]

3. Art stuff is good for that age, provided it's not too messy nt

[philosophie_en_rose]

9. What kind of art stuff would not be annoying to parents?

I can just imagine the kid opening a package of markers and the parents cringing.

[KitchenWitch]

10. Crayola makes a line of markers and paint that will

only show up on specific paper...also made by Crayola.

[Left Is Write]

11. Crayons and colored pencils are safer.

Drawing pads, crayons, colored pencils (and regular pencils), construction paper, watercolor paints, sidewalk chalk, glue stick, safety scissors, coloring books, ribbon, yarn

[LeftyMom]

12. Crayons,

watercolors, paint-by-number books, Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers, fuzzy posters, that kind of thing.

[Blue Diadem]

64. excellent idea

My future dil has given my now 6 yr old granddaughter several art/craft kits the last few years. My granddaughter loves them and is still using them at least a few times a week.

[Left Is Write]

5. I have a five-year-old daughter.

She loves Barbies, and I indulge that for her. I do not buy Bratz anything, ever. There is a line of dolls made by the Barbie people called "Wee Three Friends" that I like. The dolls look like sweet kids and not painted grownups.

My daughter also loves books of all kinds, workbooks for practicing writing or early math (kids that age are eager to learn), play dishes, My Little Pony, board games like Hi-Ho Cherrio and Chutes & Ladders, 100-piece jigsaw puzzles, Care Bears, Lincoln Logs, and art supplies.

If you're leaning toward educational, I'd look at books, some board games, or art supplies. Clay and Play-Doh can be good for creativity too.

[philosophie_en_rose]

15. I saw a Barbie PIERCING set at Ross today.

It came with its own piercing tool and a punch of rings to put in the ears. I'm pretty ambivalent about Barbie in general, but a piercing set was really surprising.

I won't support Bratz. I think one of the dolls I looked at was wearing a thong! A thong!

I'll look at wee three friends.

[Left Is Write]

17. Hmmm. I don't think we'll be getting the piercing set any time soon!

I found Wee Three Friends at Target, btw.

[KitchenWitch]

19. Thongs????

keeeriiiist!

:eyes:

[philosophie_en_rose]

22. Better on the doll than on the kid.

I tried to find a package of underwear. I figured that it would be easy to pick one up. Only bikini-style, almost thongish underwear. The normal kid underwear was on a back wall, hidden by other stuff.

I don't shop at Walmart, but I've seen some of their Olsen twin stuff. Puts Paris Hilton to shame.

When I was a kid, I was happy in generic sweatshirts and jeans. I feel so badly for the little girls that have to face the kind of fashion-caste system that I first experienced in middle school.

[KitchenWitch]

24. I never bought anything from Abercrombie and Fitch

Was never really interested. But after their "Two Wongs don't make a Right" shirts, and marketing thong underwear to preteen girls, they will never see a dime out of my wallet.

[Left Is Write]

28. Hanes for girls.

They make ordinary briefs with a little lace on the elastic, and they come in white, florals, and pretty colors.

[AwakeAtLast]

33. Yes! Wee Three Friends are great!

My 3 1/2-year-old loves them! She doesn't even look at her Barbie next to them.

[philosophie_en_rose]

49. That's good to know.

On the one hand, I think kids are materialistic and demanding. On the other, I think it's because they're encouraged to be that way.

I'm glad that there are kids that aren't obsessed with the slutty stuff that's everywhere in the store. As if some Bratz doll is going to inspire girls to respect themselves. (And God help the boys too).

[Arugula Latte]

42. My daughter is also five and she likes the same things.

I do not buy her Bratz stuff, either.

A lot of girls that age also like "Groovy Girls" dolls, which I don't find objectionable at all.

Polly Pockets stuff is huge, too.

[philosophie_en_rose]

46. Groovy girls are starting to look really good.

A quick look on Amazon shows that they're really inviting. They're soft and, well, nice looking dolls. Not stuck up brats or materialistic barbies.

[snacker]

13. As the mother of 3 grown daughters...

I remember they could never have enough stuffed toys.

[philosophie_en_rose]

47. What do you if they get gross?

Are they washable? I am without a clue as to how to care for children and children accessories.

[jmm]

62. Some of them are. Read the label and ask the store for help

The simpler ones without a bunch of clothes and decorative stuff on them tend to hold up better. I still have a few stuffed animals I got almost 20 years ago.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

14. American Girl

Their stuff is empowering, educational and, as an added bonus, they're under fire from the fundies and need all the help they can get.

[philosophie_en_rose]

18. I remember American girl.

Those are the ones where each girl had a series of five or so books, right? She's only five, so I don't know about the books.

However, there are plenty of younger girls I know who will likely get sets of American girl books for Christmas.

[AngryAmish]

16. Me

My friends daughter informed me last weekend that we will be married.

She is a doll.

My girlfriend was very suprised when I informed her.

I have never before been the object of a crush. Somewhat flattering but kinda creepy from my point of view.

Anyway, I get all kids Curious George stuff. I just think it is cool.

[philosophie_en_rose]

20. Curious George is cool.

I was a five year old in the 1980s, so a lot of my favorites are becoming popular again (rainbow brite, strawberry shortcake (with a bad makeover), etc). However, Curious George is a classic.

[KitchenWitch]

21. Hello Kitty is good too!

[philosophie_en_rose]

25. I love Hello Kitty!

I have a Hello Kitty rice cooker! I'm in Asshat, Idaho right now, but I'll definitely hit the Sanrio store in Washington.

This kid is going to hit the tree lottery. I think I'm going to see if she has siblings, so that I can make sure they get the same amount of stuff.

[AngryAmish]

23. They have a lot more stuff these days

I'm a child of the 70s. We just had the books. A lunch box and a few books would be cool.

[antigone382]

27. LOL...yeah, I get hit on more by 5-year-old boys than anyone else.

I can't tell you how many times some little kid with big eyes has asked me if we can get married when he turns twenty-one (how old I am now). It's very flattering and adorable, but a little difficult to deal with, lol.

[antigone382]

32. Toy horses.

Amost every little girl I ever met loved toy horses. I have so many memories of the adventures I had with my Grand Champion and Breyer horses (though Breyers are more expensive, and a little too delicate for a five-year-old, I'm afraid). Grand Champions have family sets you can get, with a stallion, mare, and foal. Those were my favorites.

Edit: dang it, I meant to post this as a reply to the OP, not myself...lol

[hickman1937]

26. My daughter at 5 loved pink stuff.

T-shirts, sox, and Barbie's. Coloring books, crayons, and water color sets. Her favorite ever gift was a stuffed worm who's face lit up when it was squeezed. She's 25 now and still sleeps with it. She buys her own batteries now.

[philosophie_en_rose]

31. I definitely want to get something comforting.

I don't know why she's on the list, except that her family might need a little extra help this year.

Do you think a security blanket would be a good idea? Maybe a pink one?

[hickman1937]

40. A blanket is a good idea, but wrap it around a stuffed animal

with a light up face. I know they still made them 5 years ago, because I bought one for my niece.

[lakemonster11]

57. Glow worm!

I had a glow worm lunch box when I was little.

[coffeenap]

29. No, I don't work for the company, but look at Groovy Girls--

fun clothes and accessories, multi racial, good stuff.

Also, every kid loves age appropriate art supplies. The packaging will tell you the age range. Good luck!

[KitchenWitch]

30. My daughter has two of the Groovy Girls!

They are true girl dolls, not "little grownups"

[philosophie_en_rose]

34. Who makes Groovy Girls?

?

[KitchenWitch]

37. The Manhattan Toy Company

[tallahasseedem]

35. As a mother to a five year old girl...

I can tell that you can never go wrong with the Disney Princesses. The stuff is everywhere, in fact, it is pretty cheap at Target. Do not get the Bratz stuff, it is horrible.

[AwakeAtLast]

36. Two words :"Dress Up!"

Any kind of costume for dress-up play would be great!

[coffeenap]

39. How about a very soft, fuzzy hat, scarf, gloves set? It would be

welcome, useful, and comfy-cozy. And, if you know her sizes, a nice pair of fuzzy boots would be great too.

[Kali]

43. Art supplies, picture books, age appropriate puzzles,

and don't be afraid to think of cars and toys associated more with boys. Even Barbie had a couple vehicles, if I recall.

classics like tinkertoys or legos are great too - and now there are some kind of cool abstract arty looking sets (can't remember the name, sorry, but they had crazy shapes and wild colors)

toy "sets" like castles or zoos with all the animals to play with and arange, - my personal fave - a farm set with animals and a barn

[philosophie_en_rose]

44. Thanks for everyone's ideas.

I'm going to search online a little and check up on a lot of the suggestions. I think I'm going to get:

An outfit with a shirt, sweater, socks, underwear, jeans, and shoes.
Pajamas.
A Dora the explorer lesson package.
Some Disney Princess & Hello Kitty hair ties.
Some sort of math or science game (I wish the Zoombinis weren't only on disk).
A blanket with a stuffed animal of some kind.
Books.
Some sort of 'message' gift. I don't want to indoctrinate a little kid, but I do want to give her a gift that's hopeful and encouraging. {There are so many 'supermarket' playsets; where are the "little lawyer" playsets?}

[GoddessOfGuinness]

48. How about a book that comes with a stuffed buddy?

There are a number of good childrens books that come with a cuddle version of the main character in the story. It's a great way to encourage kids to read...

[philosophie_en_rose]

50. That's a good idea too.

My concern at this point is that I pick what I think is 'Popular Plaything,' but is really considered 'Sir Dorksalot.' I know that any kid on the tree would be happy to get presents, but I really want to make it special.

I know what I liked when I was five. (Sesame Street, Hello Kitty, and Strawberry Shortcake). But that was twenty years ago.

[Beausoir]

52. Crayola Color Wonder. Art, art and more art.

I know of which I speak. I have three little girls under the age of 7.

Color Wonder makes art sets where the paper has the pigment and the markers draw only on the paper....not on the walls.

Also, any kind of art set that includes construction paper, glue sticks, a safety scissors, some glitter, some pom-poms....etc. HOURS of quiet and good fun.

A big Play-Doh set is a sure winner. I still play with my kids' sets.

A HUGE box of Crayolas...with the built in sharpener and then buy a stencil set and a tablet of paper.

God Bless your heart for thinking of the wee ones.

The old Spirograph is still around, as is the Lite-Brite set.

[Kali]

54. Oh yeah! playdoh !

or modeling clay. But just the clay not the completely-without-any creativity-or-imagination Mc Donalds food "play" sets.

[AlienGirl]

53. Breyer Horses!

That's what I was crazy about at that age.

Tucker

[Rabrrrrrr]

55. Kafka. Books about the Bauhaus. Music by Stockhausen. Ironic art.

And literature dealing with the futility of life and the absurdity of trying to find meaning in a liminal, unmeaningful existence of suffering and pain.

[ET Awful]

63. LMAO.

:rofl:

[philosophie_en_rose]

67. That was my first choice.

:)

[Scooter24]

58. I'm not sure what to buy a little girl,

but I want to say thank you for taking the time and opening your heart to adopt a child. I always do this for 5 or so children each year, and it's just great to hear of others who do the same.

I have already gotten gifts for two young boys this year. They didn't ask for anything fancy but one item that stood out from the rest was video games. I decided to splurge and get them both Sony PSP's and several games each. I know they will have a smile when opening them. :)

[Blue Gardener]

59. Anything Princess related

My friend's two little girls are absolutely crazy about Disney Princess/Cinderella type stuff.

[DrDan]

60. what ever gift you chose,

hide a dollar somewhere in the gift

My wife and I supported these type gifts for years, and we would always hide a dollar somewhere in the gift.

Can you imagine her surprise when she finds it - along with the new gift?

Dan

[chknltl]

61. Quails and snails and puppy-dog tails...oops that's little boys...

..try sugar and spice and everything nice!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

65. A night at the Neverland Ranch.

:hide:

[philosophie_en_rose]

68. or a trip to Bahrain? sheesh.

We're talking a five year old girl. :eyes:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

69. I thought it was pretty obvious humor...

but I guess not.

[malta blue]

66. puzzles

They are rather inexpensive, and I put the pieces inside a sealed bag inside the box, so they don't get lost. My daughter did one or two 100 piece puzzles a day at that age.

[MissMillie]

70. Books, art supplies, and Barbie

always big hits with little girls.

[Mutley]

71. Leap Frog.

Educational, fun, and they have different products for kids of all ages, genders, backgrounds, races, etc.

[Samurai_Writer]

72. My niece just turned five

Her favorite gift was a huge bucket of lincoln logs. Also, any kind of arts or crafts geared towards that age group is good.