If you’re looking for the best gifts for girls between the ages of 3 – 5, you have to go straight to the source for answers. I’ve done just that to come up with a list of favorites for under $50. I couldn’t possibly include every idea in this guide, but you can use the resource links below to search for more gifts in these categories or search retailers that sell similar items.
1. Ride-On Vehicle
The Princess Big Wheel is an update of the retro Big Wheel pedal car that we remember. Just introduced for 2006, this is pink and purple ride-on fit for a princess. Retails at around $45.
The Ride-On Lil Explorer 4×4 is a battery-powered vehicle in white with pink details on the seat, footboards and handlebars. Although the MSRP is $99, you can get this one at JCPenney for around $50 while the sale lasts.
2. Pretend Play Kitchen
A play kitchen sparks imaginative play and The Little Tikes Cinnamon ‘n Spice Kitchen comes in at the right price for around $50. The kitchen center is 40.5″ tall and includes a pretend microwave oven, stovetop grill, removable cutting board, cookware hooks, plate rack, spice rack, sink and faucet, as well as 16 accessories.
Accessories
KidKraft makes several wooden playsets that work well with kitchen sets or on their own. Look for the KidKraft Baking Mixer Set, KidKraft Blender Set, KidKraft Toaster Set, and the KidKraft Coffeemaker set. Each set retails for around $30. Another good source for accessories, Fat Brain Toys has several adorable wooden sets by Melissa & Doug priced at around $20. Check their site for The Pizza Party set, Sushi Slicing Box, Food Groups Set and Birthday Party Set.
3. Vanity Table & Dress Up
Little girls love to play dress up and you can find some great toys that let them do just that. The Dream Dazzlers: Light & Sound Beauty Vanity is 37″ tall and features a light-up mirror and beauty accessories that talk. Includes a sitting stool and retails for about $40.
Dress-up clothes, which you can find at most toy retailers, are a necessity. Barbie and The 12 Dancing Princesses Tutu and Slippers is a great gift idea. Disney princess costumes and accessories are always a favorite and can be purchased at a variety of retailers, including the Disney Store. Costumes and accessories retail for $5 – $50.
4. Arts & Crafts She’ll love her very own art center or just a special craft project. You can find a variety of craft sets from painting to sewing. Alex Toys and Melissa & Doug sell a lot of items under $50. Here are some other suggestions:
– Creativty Desk and Easel Set from JCPenney includes storage space, overhead light and chair. Retails for around $40.
5. Dolls & Doll Houses Disney Miniatures
The Disney Princess Figurine Set includes 8 popular princess figurines that are about 4″ tall and is the perfect gift for any girl who loves princesses. With a price tag of just $12.50, this is a great buy.
Calico Critters The Calico Critters line of dolls and accessories is absolutely adorable. Featuring miniature animals dressed in character clothing with accessories that include houses, toys, furniture and more. The Calico Critters Cloverleaf Corners Nursery School is a ready-to-play set and includes a one-room nursery school, 4 characters and lots of accessories. Also check out the Calico Critters Wedding set and other ready-to-play sets.
Littlest Pet Shop
The Littlest Pet Shop stars little animals with movable heads almost twice the size of their bodies – they are cute! The Littlest Pet Shop Biggest Littlest Pet Shop Playset includes guinea pig, push ‘n’ play kitty, double food dish, teddy bear, sardines, bone cookies… and lots of other accessories. This toy is recommend for ages 4 (not recommend for children under 3 years), but I know one almost-3-year-old little girl that has this at the top of her Christmas list.
There are so many other lines of dolls and accessories. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in this list try some of these other brands: American Girl, Cabbage Patch, Barbie, Bratz and Dora the Explorer. These are all hit brands with little girls.
6. Music Music is a gift that will last a lifetime. Here are some suggestions for musical play toys:
– Beginner Band in a Box from Melissa & Doug includes Xylonphone, Kazoo and Castanets.
– Learn-to-Play Piano from Melissa & Doug is a colorful wooden piano featuring 25 keys and two full octaves. The piano includes an illustrated song book. Recommended for 4+ and retails for around $50.
– Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses Dance Mat with DVD is a learn-to-dance set that includes instruction from a professional ballerina to songs from the movie (played by the mat). Retails for $30.
– Magic Melody Upright Keyboard (Purple) is an electronic keyboard that includes 8 instrument sounds & effects, animal and drum sounds, and a microphone for singing along with the music. Retails for around $40.
7. Playhouse Playhouses are special places that fuel the imagination. Here are some suggestions for under $50:
-Disney Princess Megahouse is pop-up, portable playhouse in the shape of a castle and featuring 5 Disney princesses on the outside. Retails for around $45.
– City Beauty Boutique by Playhut is a pink and purple pop-up includes a dressing area with mirror, walk through openings with pullback curtains and a carrying case. Retails around $30.
8. Movies / DVDs and Books – Disney – Pixar Cars DVD and books (Yes, little girls love Lightning McQueen, too! )
– Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses DVD and books
Books are a great gift for any age. Here are some suggested authors for children: Shel Silverstein, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mercer Mayer, Kevin Henkes, Laura Joffe Numeroff and, of course, Dr. Seuss.
9. For Her Room
Little girls love to decorate their rooms. Help her set up a cozy reading area or a theater. Get her new bedding, some throw pillows, a chair or a great rug. Here are some suggestions:
– Disney Princess Kid-Size Saucer Chair or any saucer chair. These chairs come in a variety of shapes and colors and are perfect for creating a comfortable seating area. They retail for around $10 – $20.
– Dora Table and Chairs is a sturdy wood painted yellow and purple and featuring Dora and Boots. Retails for around $40 at JCPenney.
– Other suggestions: lamps, bookshelves, toy bins, rugs, wall decorations, activity tables.
10. Educational Toys These gifts are practical and fun. You can’t miss with an educational toy.
– Dado Cubes are interlocking stacking blocks that challenge children to balance their designs. Great for visual spatial play which enhances a child’s ability to mentally picture things. Retails for about $25.
– Tea Party Game is a cute board game for 2 to 4 players. Retails for about $14.
– Bean Bag Toss is a classic game, but this one from Melissa & Doug features 3 animals with mouths wide open and ready for a treat. Children through a beanbag bone, carrot and banana to the dog, bunny and gorilla. Recommended age is 5+.
– Discovery Ladybug Land lets children witness the growth of ladybugs from tiny larvae to beautiful full-grown ladybugs. Includes a see-through habitat and mail-in certificate for ladybug larvae. Retails for $19.95 at the Discovery Channel Store. (Also check out the Discovery Butterfly Canopy.)
Wrapping It Up With so many gifts from which to choose, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. These recommendations will help you find the perfect gift and have been kid-selected and approved. Happy shopping!
Check out the links below for more information on the items in this guide.
