Help me fill half a grandma box!
September 12, 2015 9:07 AM Subscribe
One of my kids is visiting family who live in a remote small village. She can't bring much because the trip is by bus and boat and foot to get there, but will bring a box on my behalf to the almost-five year old daughter of someone I briefly foster parented. What can I put in a medium box that's lightweight, durable in tough rural conditions, and wonderful for a little girl to play with?
No batteries, no electricity, has to be waterproof, can't need stationary or replaceable materials (e.g. playdoh, crayons), no language requirements as there is no English, although she is very smart and attending school already. The house looks like this.
Something that I know would work from similar experiences are the Fisher Price Little People figures because they're tough little generic toys, Hot Wheel cars, a xylophone - but I've previously shopped at scale cheaply for classrooms, not one very special little girl so what else could go in that box?
I'm not doing clothes or books or practical items because she'll get those locally at the market in bulk. I'm looking for ideas for special things.
No batteries, no electricity, has to be waterproof, can't need stationary or replaceable materials (e.g. playdoh, crayons), no language requirements as there is no English, although she is very smart and attending school already. The house looks like this.
Something that I know would work from similar experiences are the Fisher Price Little People figures because they're tough little generic toys, Hot Wheel cars, a xylophone - but I've previously shopped at scale cheaply for classrooms, not one very special little girl so what else could go in that box?
I'm not doing clothes or books or practical items because she'll get those locally at the market in bulk. I'm looking for ideas for special things.
I lived in a village with very similar condition(ie, no electricity, rural, no English) as Peace Corps volunteer many years ago. Something that someone sent me as a gift that kids (especially kids between 3 to 6) absolutely loved was a musical greeting card. The kids that age loved it and would open and close it, over and over and over again. It was something that they had never seen before, lasted for a long time, easy to carry.
posted by Wolfster at 9:38 AM on September 12, 2015
posted by Wolfster at 9:38 AM on September 12, 2015
Hand or finger puppets
Magic drawing board/pad (the kind you just need pressure to draw on)
Magnifying glass
Binoculars
Kaleidoscope
posted by zennie at 9:58 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Magic drawing board/pad (the kind you just need pressure to draw on)
Magnifying glass
Binoculars
Kaleidoscope
posted by zennie at 9:58 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure they meet the durable test, but play silks can become anything and are wonderful for imaginative play. I like the binoculars idea as well. They're a little heavy, but would magnetic tiles or similar work? My kids have gotten a ton of use out of magnetic stuff.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 10:42 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by PorcineWithMe at 10:42 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
What about a mini Etch-a-Sketch, unless she can get those locally? I loved mine.
posted by Tamanna at 10:52 AM on September 12, 2015
posted by Tamanna at 10:52 AM on September 12, 2015
I still own some plastic animals I got when I was her age - mostly schleich or brands that are high quality and durable. A metal harmonica? And maybe a small doll? If you find one that has removable clothes, she can make her own later.
posted by umwhat at 10:54 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by umwhat at 10:54 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I read something the other day that said that high quality soccer balls are super popular for children in remote areas.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:02 AM on September 12, 2015
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:02 AM on September 12, 2015
Breyer horses are quite fragile-- I'd go with Schleich over Breyer. Also what about costume jewelry? Even plastic stuff, if it was well-made. Glittery fabrics too...
posted by The otter lady at 1:57 PM on September 12, 2015
posted by The otter lady at 1:57 PM on September 12, 2015
Groovy Girls are very well-made; we had loads, including some rather old ones, and we never had one burst a seam or anything and the older ones looked as new as the newer ones -- we brought the basket of them to group play things; they take a beating -- and they can be washed.
posted by kmennie at 2:05 PM on September 12, 2015
posted by kmennie at 2:05 PM on September 12, 2015
Boading balls!
Children in my life who've received them have regarded them as treasures, for years on end.
posted by Puddle Jumper at 2:47 PM on September 12, 2015
Children in my life who've received them have regarded them as treasures, for years on end.
posted by Puddle Jumper at 2:47 PM on September 12, 2015
Sparkly hair decorations.
Magnetic board games (like for car trips).
posted by irisclara at 2:48 PM on September 12, 2015
Magnetic board games (like for car trips).
posted by irisclara at 2:48 PM on September 12, 2015
-Mini LED flashlight - they have solar-rechargeable ones, and ones that are very tiny (like for keychains)
-A little illustrated tin, zippered pouch, or special wooden box for her own secrets (maybe with some neat rocks/shells of the kind you might find in bins in a museum store).
-Colorful tote bag
-Tangrams set or similar puzzle (Tantrix is another made of durable material); small size rubik's cube? ; felt figures; basically a kit with rearrangeable parts
-Fidget toy, might be restringable (examples: 1, 2)
-Seconding animal figurines - plastic (Schleich/Safari Ltd "toobz") or ceramic
-Cards with pictures of interesting things - like "101 animals" type of thing
-Etch-a-sketch?
-Frisbee or similar plastic throwing toy?
-Durable (non-inflated) balls: Wiffleball, o-ball, pingpong/bouncy ball
-Mechanical hand-crank music box toy
-Simple musical instruments, like maracas or castanets
-Tiny colorful cups/dishes (E.g. melamine bowls or cups?)
-Random but silicon muffin cups? I can imagine a lot of ways to play with these.
-beanie baby-type small stuffed animal (bear?) or baby doll?
-a few colors of embroidery floss or similar use-it-up craft stuff
-jewelry - either bright plastic bracelets, or (sparkly rhinestone, fine clay flowers) pendant; pretty barettes
-silky scarf
-wand with streamers (like they would use in rhythmic gymnastics)
-Soft measuring tape?
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:54 PM on September 12, 2015
-A little illustrated tin, zippered pouch, or special wooden box for her own secrets (maybe with some neat rocks/shells of the kind you might find in bins in a museum store).
-Colorful tote bag
-Tangrams set or similar puzzle (Tantrix is another made of durable material); small size rubik's cube? ; felt figures; basically a kit with rearrangeable parts
-Fidget toy, might be restringable (examples: 1, 2)
-Seconding animal figurines - plastic (Schleich/Safari Ltd "toobz") or ceramic
-Cards with pictures of interesting things - like "101 animals" type of thing
-Etch-a-sketch?
-Frisbee or similar plastic throwing toy?
-Durable (non-inflated) balls: Wiffleball, o-ball, pingpong/bouncy ball
-Mechanical hand-crank music box toy
-Simple musical instruments, like maracas or castanets
-Tiny colorful cups/dishes (E.g. melamine bowls or cups?)
-Random but silicon muffin cups? I can imagine a lot of ways to play with these.
-beanie baby-type small stuffed animal (bear?) or baby doll?
-a few colors of embroidery floss or similar use-it-up craft stuff
-jewelry - either bright plastic bracelets, or (sparkly rhinestone, fine clay flowers) pendant; pretty barettes
-silky scarf
-wand with streamers (like they would use in rhythmic gymnastics)
-Soft measuring tape?
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:54 PM on September 12, 2015
Magnet Tiles! Seriously, magnet tiles are the best thing ever. Even adults enjoy playing with them. You can build 3D structures or 2D designs.
posted by Ostara at 3:06 PM on September 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Ostara at 3:06 PM on September 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
Agree, Magnatiles are expensive but well-made/sturdy and really fun.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:51 PM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:51 PM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
They aren't durable, but balloons take up almost no space and are fun for all ages.
posted by kjs4 at 5:09 PM on September 13, 2015
posted by kjs4 at 5:09 PM on September 13, 2015
Response by poster: We've gone with finger puppets and a larger animal puppet, a waterproof crank LED flashlight, butterfly decorations, a brunette barbie, hot wheel cars, a pull-back car with tough wheels for off-road play, a collection of cute sturdy animal figurines, and a sturdy house type toy. I'm still hoping to add a squishy washable baby doll to the set, but it's more likely that will be bought in a nearby town as I've been banned from any more shopping now the suitcase is packed. I might sneak in an etch-a-sketch though. (Magna-tiles are a flop at our house weirdly enough, and lego was voted down by the relatives).
(And Wolfster - one of the gifts that worked once was a tiny music box bought on a guess as a gift for her mom years ago, but I can't find a similar one in time this trip for the little one. It was still a nice memory to be reminded of, thanks.)
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 11:36 AM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
(And Wolfster - one of the gifts that worked once was a tiny music box bought on a guess as a gift for her mom years ago, but I can't find a similar one in time this trip for the little one. It was still a nice memory to be reminded of, thanks.)
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 11:36 AM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
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I loved Fisher Price Little People as a kid but those don't really scale too well age-wise. Playmobil are what I went to after I grew out of Little People, but those sets have such specific themes I think you might do better going with a creative like Lego bricks.
posted by phunniemee at 9:28 AM on September 12, 2015 [1 favorite]