Valentines Day Gift Ideas

valentines day activities for preschoolers

Posted on August 21st, 2009 by admin

Unlike younger preschoolers, 4 year olds have definite ideas about what they like and what they don't like. This is an age where kids really start to come into their own and assert their independence.

If you're shopping for a birthday or another holiday and have no idea what to get a four year old, keep independence in mind. Any items that will help your recipient feel like a "big girl" or "big boy" will score big points.

Ideas for Both Genders

Arts and craft supplies. Painting, coloring and even large beads are a great way for four year olds to express their creativity and feel independent. Make sure that the paint or pens you get are washable so the child's walls and tables will be safe. Glitter, child-safe scissors and glue sticks are also good choices.

Books. Books with simple words and colorful pictures will help introduce reading into a child's life. Storybooks that they can learn to read, popup books or activity books are also good choices for boys or girls. Classics and brand new favorites can be found at your local bookstore or online bookstores. If you're stuck for ideas, ask the child's parent. If you're a parent yourself, ask your child's preschool teacher.

Ideas for Girls

Dress up clothes. Most four year olds love to pretend. Girls are prone to exploring their fantasy worlds with dress up clothes. Princess and fairy costumes are always popular, as are anything "lady like" (gloves, feather boas, high heels). You can also go with a theme, such as a doctor or a zookeeper, with your dress up clothes choices. Whatever your choice is, you'll be sure to make a little girl's day with a gift of dress up clothes.

Baby dolls. Four year olds often have younger siblings that occupy a lot of their mother's attention. Baby dolls can help a four-year-old girl feel like she has someone to care for too. Dolls and doll accessories allow them to be "just like mommy." Look for dolls that come with strollers, bathtubs, extra clothes or other added items.

Ideas for Boys

Tool sets. Four-year-old boys love to be just like dad. If their father does any handy work around the house, your gift recipient will love a pretend tool set of his own. You can purchase play tools in a small tool box, or go all out with a play tool bench. Sets are normally available in wood or plastic, depending on your preferences. These tools let a four-year-old boy repair things right along with daddy.

Building blocks and Legos. You can bet that the four-year-old boy on your gift list will love Legos. Most boys do, and at four years old boys are able to start making simple designs based on patterns. There are so many different Lego sets these days, you can find something that appeals to every kid. There are pirate Lego sets, Star Wars Lego sets and super hero Lego sets.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com where she shares coupons and deals on her favorite things, from Overstock Coupons to Amazon's wireless reading device.

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