After the interest in The Top 5: Toys for Boys that Go the Distance, I am very pleased to be posting The Top 5: Toys for Girls that Go the Distance.
Obviously, I am somewhat unqualified to write this post, so my dear friend Mandy has generously offered her wisdom and experience. Between Mandy and I, we are a complete Brady Bunch. Mandy has three adorable girls – gorgeous twin nine year olds and a delicious 4 year old. Mandy has worked with/around babies and young children for much of her working life (including at sleep school) and is currently working in one of Melbourne’s most fabulous children’s furniture and toy shops where she regularly helps people buy great gifts for girls.
If you would like to follow more of Mandy and her girls’ shenanigans, check her out on Instagram or Twitter @mandyhosesheknows.
1. The Little People (Fisher Price)
It is difficult to articulate how much my twin girls have played with their Little People over the last eight years. They played with them year after year, for years. They lined them up, played with them in the sandpit, in water play and in the bath. They even took them on holidays (if you should ever meet my girls, please don’t mention the pig we lost in Warrnambool).
With twin girls, we were spoilt by gifts from grandparents so we ended up with so many lovely sets. Our favourite sets are the Nativity which I bring out at Christmas time and the Royal Wedding set which we ordered online in time for Kate and Will’s wedding.
2. Water Play Activity Centre
We were given a water play activity centre when my twins were two years old. Six years later, this toy is still an absolute favourite in the spring/summer months. Over the years, I have added colour and bubbles to the water, they have added the water to the sandpit to make mud pies and of course they have brought their Little People over as well. This really has been a terrific outside toy for my girls but would obviously also suit boys. There are various places where you can buy water play activity centres including Toys R Us and online toy retailers such as this one.
3. Costumes
When your daughter is 4 years old, I would highly recommend that you buy her a most magnificent costume. This is because you will need to be happy to see her wear it to every single party she is invited to, because she will only want to wear this, for about 2 years! There are lots of places to buy great girls’ costumes from including markets, Toyworld, Cotton On, Gas and online retailers. I bought the tutu from Cotton On Kids, the bee costume from Pink Poppy and the mermaid costume from the Yarra Glen market.
4. A Crimper
Yes, I know it’s an 80’s thing, but we REALLY love our crimper. For our first school disco, I crimped the girls’ hair and it was a great hit. We have also invited other friends over for a “crimping”. Even our 2 year old has had a teeny tiny crimped ponytail for her turn on the dance floor. With a crimper, crazy hair day at school is always done. You can pick up a crimper at various retailers of hair products including online here.
5. Trainset
You might be surprised that I have included this, but all of my girls have loved our Imaginarium Girl’s Around Town Railway otherwise known as the purple and pink train set from Toys R Us. It really has been a great toy in our house.
For those of you with boys and girls, you will be happy to hear that it is also compatible with Thomas The Tank Engine trains, so this train set is a definite winner.
Honourable Mentions
An honourable mention must go to Cup Cake Nail Polish (pictured below). It is very popular at our place. It is water based and washes off, so there are no issues with the girls applying it themselves. It is available online here or at Parenthood.
Also, an honourable mention must go to play doh. We have spent many hours playing this. I use the recipe on the back of the Cream of Tartar packet which does not require cooking (it uses boiling water instead). The girls also love using big chalk on the driveway. It keeps them happy for ages and is an inexpensive activity.
What do your girls love playing with? What would you say are your girls’ top 5 toys?
