Any recommendations for educ Christmas presents for 6 yr old girl

[trisharog]

I have great ideas for my twin boys(10yr) Smart Globe, Lego Simple machines, huge DK weapon book (from Costco) War thru the Age(Costco)
Still deciding between a few geography board games

My DD6 is a different story. I cant think of great education gifts for her. She has an American Girl doll so I am going to start her on some of those books. Any other ideas?

[LibrarianMom]

Looking for educational gifts for my dd just turned 7, I found that there were lots of really neat things, but that most of them would be great next year or would require that mom play games with her all of the time.

We had ordered Brainware earlier and are giving that for Christmas. She had ventured in while we were waching the demo and sat down to watch it to. She said "Mom, that looks like fun! I think we should get it." I debated for a long time between WordSnap and Bananagrams but decided on WordSnap for now as it seems more along the lines of beginning reading/spelling. I also purchased Batik Kid which is sort of educational. It uses fish instead of tangram shapes.

[Garga]

Does she like Lego's too? When I was a kid I was a rabid Lego fan. I loved Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys, too.

I guess if you're already getting the boys Lego's that means that she doesn't like them...but just be sure.

In fact, when I was a kid I used to worry that when I became a mom my kids would take over the Lego's and never let me play with them. :tongue_smilie:

[LlamaMama]

I recommend looking through http://timberdoodle.com (http://timberdoodle.com/) . They seem to have some good choices that I would purchase if my oldest was a tad older.

[sandra in va]

What about Illustory - the kids design their own book and get it published. Also not super-educational, but something my 6 yo dd loves and plays with - fashion designer (http://www.amazon.com/Back-to-Basics-Fashion-Designer/dp/B000XQ8RCO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1227357253&sr=1-3). Some other favorites in our house: wedgits, doll house/furniture, and games (blokus, chess, chutes and ladders, and monopoly jr.). Oh, and dress up! Don't underestimate the educational power of a good dress-up box! :)

p.s. Thanks for the idea of the smart globe! I'm going to look for that at costco!

[Stacey in MA]

I have been struggling with ideas for my DD6. I think this will be good. This year she has grown a little past the My Little Pony and Barbie things. She still likes dress up, but we have a ton of that stuff. She loves to read, copy poems, and write her own poetry and short stories. I think this is nice thing b/c it's still has the novelty of a toy, but is something creative and "older" than "little kid" toys.

Thanks! - Stacey in MA

[Lizzie in Ma]

Got it when dd was 3, now 8, she STILL plays and loves it and the games go through 4th grade educational level wise so it's longevity can't be beat.
My 7th grader still plays with hers too!

[3blessingmom]

Coloring books and stickers and paper dolls that go along with your studies this year. Dover has tons. I plan on getting Little House books, the Little House paper dolls and Lincoln Logs just the minute my dd is old enough to appreciate them:001_smile:

Beading kits, art supplies, a pretty journal.

[OhElizabeth]

-lincoln logs
-bag of fancy dresses from the thrift store to play dress-up, construction, doctor, etc. kits for dress-up.
-ipod with the Little House audio books loaded so she can listen to them while she plays. My dd ADORED Little House and listening to audio books at that age. Charlotte's Web and the Uncle Remus books on audio were big here too. I didn't realize till recently you can connect computer speakers, any old ones you have lying around, to an ipod. That's nice so they're not using the earbuds. That way she can listen while she plays.
-play food and dishes. My MIL made dd a play kitchenette out of a large box and that was a HUGE hit, something she played with for years (still does!). ToysRUs sells bags of play food veges and fruit, a nice change from the normal mcdonald's and pizza fare you find. I put them in my dd's stocking, hehe. :)

I try to get my dd something "real" each year, something that will last and have value into adulthood. When she was that age I got her a sewing box. The next year her grandma got her Gingher's. This year (age 9) I'm giving her a rotary cutter (the kind that is pressure sensitive and has a guard, Dritz) and the rulers you use with it. At 6 she enjoyed getting a jar of buttons to go with the sewing basket. There are so many pretty buttons, and it's something they can collect. You can decorate things just with glue and buttons, so it doesn't even have to turn into sewing if you don't sew. They sell stronger glue that will go through the wash and you can glue buttons and lace and findings onto plain garments like a vest to decorate them. And she just likes having the buttons and sorting them.

[trisharog]

Thank you everyone!

[gandpsmommy]

A few more ideas:


Melissa & Doug wooden pattern blocks
Melissa & Doug stamp sets
art supplies (different papers for making collages or cards, paints and brushes, self-hardening clay, scissors with decorative edges, stickers, glitter, sequins, chenille sticks, craft sticks, hole punches, instant papier mache, etc.)
puzzles (My dd loved putting together a map puzzle of the U.S.A. at age 6.)
Dh had the idea to buy a karaoke machine for dd last year. She and her friends have enjoyed putting on musical shows using it. You could buy her some fun cd's to go along with it. My dd still enjoys some of the Laurie Berkner cd's. She also likes the classical kids cd's for just listening (e.g. Beethoven Lives Upstairs.) You could also get her some audiobooks to listen to on it. My dd has really enjoyed The Tale of Despereaux, Pippi Longstocking, and books by E.B. White.

[trisharog]

ooh the karoke is a good idea. DD loves to sing.

[Garga]

Playmobils. They're great. They have a few at WalMart and Target, but there are hundreds for sale online at Playmobil.com