Gift for 5 YO girl w/ hospital stay/recovery

[secchick]

I am drawing a total blank on what to get my niece for her upcoming 5th birthday. There are plenty of things I can think of that she would love, but she will be undergoing surgery to correct club foot (on both feet) and so many of the great outdoor, running around, activity type gifts are out. I am really hoping to find some recs for puzzles or games or arts & crafts kits that a 5 YO would love, but that can be used during her hospital stay and recovery. Relative portability would also be a plus. Any suggestions you all could make would be welcome!

Thanks!

[bubbaray]

You could call the hospital -- many children's hospitals or peds wards have "child-life" coordinators who specialize in making hospital stays as good as possible for the children.

My suggestions based on what I've seen on news clips from our children's hospital:

beads
Leapsters or other hand-held electronics
Barbie's/Disney princess dolls

NOT stuffed animals (hard to clean). Having said that, DD#2 received a Beanie Baby from the staff at the lab at our Children's hospital after one particularly hard blood draw.

[hellokitty]

Some activity books if she is into that. Board/puzzle games, or little play figures that she can use her imagination to play with. Also, some of those craft kits might be fun for her. Like the kind where you weave your own pot warmer type of thing...

[kedss]

does she like making jewelry? my son is 5 and alot of the girls(and boys) love to do beading, there are tons of jewelry kits out there :)

[kristenk]

I've been trying to stock up on 5yo bday presents, so I have a few ideas.

bead sets
Melissa & Dog stamp set
Polly Pockets - regular dress-up versions
Polly Pockets pop version (where you basically have heads, tops and legs that you pop together to change outfits)
Klutz paper doll book
Klutz/chicken socks paper flower kit
various drawing/coloring stuff

I know that Learning Express franchises are individually owned, so policies and sales probably vary, but my local LE had buy one-get one for a whole lot of Polly Pocket stuff.

[zoestargrove]

I second the klutz activity kits. We've done many of them, but my all time favorites are the tissue paper flower making kit and the stencil art kit.

Shrinky dinks has been a huge hit at my house lately.

One of my favorite gifts to give 5 and older is really nice quality real artist supplies. I think Rembrandt Aquarell color pencils are magic. First you draw and color your picture with the pencils and then with a water color brush dipped in water you can blend and transform your picture to a painting.

My 5 yo loves listening to books on cd. There have been loads of good story suggestions on this board.

If you are at all crafty and want to pass on some knowledge, I think that kids at this age can learn how to embroider or hand sew relatively quickly.

[mnosky1]

Non-moving stuff my 5 year old DD loves:
Tag reader
Magazine subscription to kids magazine (Disney and Me is her current fave)
Craft kits (of all types)
Webkinz
Legos
Camera and MP3 player with speakers (we have had the fisher price ones for a few years but I think she coudl do ok now with a cheapish adult style)

[MamaKath]

Pop-it beads
20 Questions handheld game (she would need some help probably, but a fun activity)
game/puzzle books
Klutz kits- Fairy kit is a good one, also the mini tea party
Art supplies
Schliech animals
Playmobil small sets (guinea pig, chickens and goats are favorites here)

[s_gosney]

My dd got this sudoku game and likes it. The pieces are magnetic, and the cards have a little pocket, so it's all well-contained. There are lots of different levels and puzzles to last a while. http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Think%20Fun%20Sudoku%20Junior%204%20x%204:200327 5661

[LisaDiane]

I happen to be a child life specialist! I agree with everyone's suggestions. I also typically recommend a wagon - she will likely get a wheelchair but the wagon is more fun plus she'll have room to keep activities close by. I highly recommend hitting up your local dollar tree/dollar store. Many of the suggestions can be pricey, and I know I saw lots of puzzles at my dollar tree this week.

Most importantly she will need activities that will to help her expend pent up energy. Most 5 year olds are very active so the limited mobility can be frustrating. Soft nerf-type balls and maybe a door mount basketball hoop, or even better the grow-to-pro basketball set (even if it is just for outside). (Plus an active adult or another child who can retrieve the ball for her!). I have frequently used play-doh and encouraged kids to really pound it down as "flat as a pancake." I hope this is helpful! Good luck!