[tooskis]

Please help! We have a boy and so I have no idea what girls like at 4 years old. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[dac_cincy]

Disney Princesses- Anything
Dolls
Barbies- not with lots of accessories
coloring books, stickers, markers (washable)
books
jump rope
sidewalk chalk

[robandjulie]

I realize this iwas a boy list, but there are a lot of good ideas in here:

HELP!!! What to get a 4 year old boy...

DD just turned 4 this summer. She's huge into princesses but some parents (like us) try not to let the Disney princess stuff take over the whole house.

Suggestions:
Dress-up stuff--crowns, dress, shoes, wands, purses
Puzzles & mazes books

She's CRAZY into painting suncatchers. MIL got her a kit with suncatchers and squeeze tubes of paint. I found more suncathers at Hobby Lobby for 50 cents each and she loves to paint them.

One of those GIANT coloring books (like 2'x1') with some paints. This is great if she has an easel-type thing. DD will sit and paint at her easel for hours.

DD loves craft projects. She has a needlepoint-for-kids set, one of those looms with nylon loops, a knitting loom, a sew-your-own-pillow kit, etc. But then, I sew/knit/crochet every day so that's probably driving her interest. My 5 yo niece loves to do that stuff, too, though and SIL isn't into it, so it may be typical.

Books are great. Usborne has a series of classic fairy tale princess books which are a fun take on the stories with somewhat sarcastic and funny side notes and quirky drawings. We're also into chapter books right now; some classics: The Borrowers (series of 3 books), Mary Poppins series and some more modern: ex: Magic Tree House.

[loveajax]

Julie, that is so weird..I was just going to say suncatchers!! She loved the melissa and doug kit. She also loves jewelry kits! Gl to op!

[catsnkids]

My four year old loves stamps. Give her some ink, paper and stamps and you won't see her for a long time. She also got her first Polly Pockets and loves that. Pet Shop stuff would be popular. There is a Barbie "computer" that she loves (about $15). Her and her friend really liked playing with her recorder this weekend, so beginner musical instruments. At this age they love to imitate mommy so a cleaning set with broom, duster, vacuum, etc... If she has a dollhouse, additional furniture would be fun. My daughter loves her play Barbie (or is it princess) camera. Jump rope. One of those things you bounce on and has a handle to hang on to (can't think of what it's called) Ooh a hippity hop. Kids jewlery. Board games. Flash cards. Connect the dot books. Another thing my daughter really loves is a magazine subscription to something like Your Big Backyard. She loves to get mail every so often. She may not understand it when you give it to her but will love it all year as she gets the magazine. A few ideas off the top of my head.

[Amber76]

My 4 year old niece LOVES anything that involves any type of craft project-painting, coloring, stamping, drawing, clay, chalk, etc. I'm getting her a kid's scrapbooking kit so that we can scrap together since we both love to take pictures (she has her own digital camera!) and do crafts. Have fun shopping!

[megaphonemo]

Mine wants a skateboard!! THat or anything at all sports related - she is a tomboy....

Oh yeah, a tomboy that loves High School Musical!! I think we saw a little fleece blanket that was HSM - so we will get that too....

And DH wants to get her drums.... oh well, he is the one that is home all day with her!!

Mega

[Slatond10]

My 4 y.o. DD seems to get invited to a b-day party every month or 2 / mo..... so here are my suggestions:
ASK YOUR CHILD, what that child likes. My DD always knows the child well and knows what their favorite things are. I often even let her shop @ TRU to pick out the gift as well. The reason I say this is each child is DIFFERENT. (i.e. my DD is not girly and doesn't do dress up or 'kits"). She is also past Princesses and into Hannah Montana @ 4.

But as Parent, I am ALSO a big proponent of USEFUL gifts and monogrammed gifts!!! ( I.e. monogrammed book bag / lunch bag, towel!!) Also, any educational toy!

[Suzeb1]

I echo the idea of asking your child (if they know the child well) My daughter knows exactly which Cars character or princess her friends like, and what colors they don't!

My 4 year old dd has no interest in princesses, but she did (surprisingly) love the dress up box that she was given for her birthday. She loves books and her scooter and magnet tiles get used every day.

Susan

[annaguat]

I am planning to get Trick Boards(wave street surfing board) for my girls when they turn 4 this September. We have three already for some of the older children and they are a lot of fun. there is a 3/4 size that would be perfect for little ones. Besure they have the proper gear. Trick Boards are like skate boards but they have two wheels in the center. Also you can stand on it and self propel without putting your feet on the ground to push off. No one uses the skate boards any more. Also there are way less accidents then with the skate board.
Anna

[lisaf1]

There are also some educational games for 4+. My daughter has some that are puzzle for spelling and for math. These are fun and a great learning tool.

Lisa

[blminter]

ok, here's something a little different. i have bought gift certificates to brewsters ice cream the last few parties. it's fun, family oriented (ie go eat ice cream with your child) and doesn't take up any room (unless you count the inches in your clothes)!

[kirbystarcat]

Mine loves anything with horses, especially My Little Ponies.

Also, art supplies of all kinds are a favorite of hers.

[dianneemily]

My daughters, ages 3 and 5 just got a new game that they LOVE.
It is a Curious George Zoo game. We got it at Target. The game has a walkie talkie like thing that the kids push on their turn and it tells them what to do. At some points during the game "the animals get out and are hiding" at which point the players put on animal masks and go hide. Then the person who's turn it is goes seeking - the kids love that part. I would recommend it - alot of fun.

[Nena2007]

My daughter is going to be 4 in 10 days... she loves barbies, her leapster (if they have one, maybe a game?) tinkerbell, dress up stuff, her kitchen and kitchen type toys etc. Really, just about anything.

Good luck!