Looking for a gift for a 4 yr old girl that will be visting from out of town. Ideas?

[applecrisp]

A good friend of mine is visiting (with her husband and almost 4 year old).

I would like to buy a gift for the little girl -- something that she might like when staying in the hotel room or perhaps during the 4 hour drive. Definitlely not something big, since that will take up too much room.

Don't know what a 4 year old girl would like. What about a pop up book? Coloring books at that age? Toys?

Many thanks!

[RunnerKim]

What about a t-shirt from your city? Or hat? Or a children's book about your area? A plastic cup with a straw/lid attachment might be handy too (my 4.5year old DD uses one from a trip/zoo as her everyday water glass).

If you're looking for something to help keep her occupied: a puzzle (around 25-50 pieces), pad of drawing paper and fun markers, stickers, magnadoodle (travel size)...

Kim

[Terri_A]

If you can find magnetic dress up dolls - they're sure to be a hit! They're like paper dolls, but they are magnetic, so less mess and easier for little hands. My daughter got some around age 3 and at 5 still plays with them! They'd be easy to play with in a car as well.

This one is on Target's website - they're $14.99 if that helps! Good luck!

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UaE4tBFZL._SS260_.jpg

[SDMomChef]

A second on the magnetic dolls if you are looking for something to do, but a straw cup from your city also could be used on the drive.

Another good thing (if there are teacher stores near you) are Wikki Sticks - was covered yarn things that are non-messy, re-usable and bendy - you can create many different things with them.

http://www.kidboxes.com/img/0301/wikki-stixprimary-colors_1_orig.jpg

[LaraW]

My 3 1/2 yo DD just got an Aquadoodle from a friend on a recent trip. It is specifically a travel version, and takes up about as much space as a coloring book. The "pen" is basically a barrell that you fill with water, and it has a piece of elastic that holds it inside the book. She loved it, and it erases when it dries. There really is no mess at all. She had fun "coloring" with her pen on her arms and legs, on the car window, etc since our rules are always "on paper only" and she got to do something different.

[TraditionsGirl]

Put together a gift bag of a lot of little things. The dollar store is a good place to pick up little toys, coloring books, puzzles etc; You could also include some mini bags of snacks like goldfish crackers and cookies.

[Terri_A]

ooooh!!! If you do the dollar store idea....they ALWAYS have dress up shoes. I don't know what it is about dress up shoes, but they LOVE them!!!

[boisewinesnob]

this probably won't help much for a car/travel activity, but a few years ago I got my niece a little princess dress-up set from costco (they had assorted disney princess accessories). It came with those little fluffy-boa-looking trimmed slippers, a crown, a wand and I don't remember what else. But she LOVED that thing and my SIL said niece wore those slippers every chance she got ;)

[leightx]

When my DD was 4, she was really into Polly Pockets. There's also the Littlest Pet Shop toys that are very popular now - great for kids that love animals and have a good imagination!

[gobluem82]

When my DD was 4, she was really into Polly Pockets.

Unfortunately, many of the Polly Pocket items were part of the latest toy recall :(

[zackaboo]

Crayola makes some great art packages such as ColorWonder, which are very popular with that age group. Definitely a good way to entertain.

[leightx]

Unfortunately, many of the Polly Pocket items were part of the latest toy recall :(

I think those might have just been the magnetic ones though? I didn't look too closely, since we're out of the Polly Pocket stage now. :p

[applecrisp]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. They were so helpful. Just wrote up the list -- off to do shopping this weekend.

Many thanks for all your help. So appreciated!!

[applecrisp]

Thanks again everyone.

SDMomchef -- thanks for the Wikkistix idea. I ended up buying them and my friend's 4 year old loved them. Ironically, my friend never heared of them until last night when they gave them out at PF Changs -- and her little girl loved playing with them.

I wasn't with them at PF Changs, so everyone was quite surprised when I gave it to her tonight. What a coincidence.

They were a huge hit!

Thanks,

[SDMomChef]

Thanks again everyone.

SDMomchef -- thanks for the Wikkistix idea. I ended up buying them and my friend's 4 year old loved them. Ironically, my friend never heared of them until last night when they gave them out at PF Changs -- and her little girl loved playing with them.

I wasn't with them at PF Changs, so everyone was quite surprised when I gave it to her tonight. What a coincidence.

They were a huge hit!

Thanks,

That is quite a coincidence! I'm glad she liked them - they are so versatile and my kids still love them. The best part - they are non-messy! :D

[misskitty100]

Where can you buy Wiki Stix? We have gotten them at restaurants but would like some for home too.

[applecrisp]

Misskitty,

I found them at my local toy store (that might lean a bit to educational type things). But the mom's out there will know more.

I know Amazon sells them, but since I saw them in my neighborhood, I would rather give them the money. A package was only $3.00. I will definitely keep them in mind when I just need a small little something.

[SDMomChef]

I bought ours at a local teacher's store.