What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

We will be visiting friends in England and I decided I am not buying gifts for anyone except this little girl who has had medical issues and is thankfully doing well now.
We have very little luggage space to spare but I was thinking to find a toy and also shoes or sandals because we do have a contact and will get them for free. Lol!!

What toy do you suggest? Money is not the issue here but weight and quality are.
Also, what size shoe would you take a child you never met who was two in February?

Thank you.

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

Any suggestions would really be appreciated. Thank you.

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

Is there anyway you can ask the parents what the child likes or is into? Maybe a TV show or something else she likes? There are a million toys out there for kids, it's hard to pin point unless you have some idea.

Not sure about the shoe size, sorry.

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

How about the itty bitty baby from american girl doll as the toy and for shoes my son is 2 and he takes a 6.5 to 7 but he is xxw - Its very very difficult to buy shoes for a child IMO unless you buy wellies as she would need them in the UK maybe buy a size 8 wellington to be on the safe side.

Have a great trip.

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

My DD will be 3 next month. She loves loves loves books. Has since she was an infant. My DD loves:

Clifford the Big Red Dog
The Happy Egg
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Martha Doesn't Share

Those are some of her faves. She also has a case of 12 princess books and 12 Mickey Mouse books (I know TRU has them)

Also, puzzles are a great gift. If she is closer to 3, you can get the 25 piece puzzles, I started to introduce them around that age. If you think she is too young, then the board puzzles are always good (like Melissa & Doug)



HTH

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

I second the doll idea. AJ loves playing with a doll, puts it to sleep feeds it etc.

She'd toss a book to the side over a toy any day. She likes books, likes to read and be read to, but loves toys, if that makes sense.

Also aquadoodle or type of 'painting' thing is huge for her, too.

I also agree with PP too, ask and find out what her likes are. Disney has tons of stuff if she's a princess kind of girl.

Another thing AJ loves are mirrors and pretend makeup.

Have a great trip!

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

Message edited 7/10/2011 11:02:32 PM.

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

i agree with a doll idea or dress up clothes

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

Thanks so much. I hope to go shopping this week. Now I'm not so nervous since I have some good ideas.
When I asked what she would like we were told "You!" so I got no help from anyone.

Re: What would you buy for a 2 and a half year old girl?

My daughter is the same exact age-- she loves books, crafts and dress up stuff.