Gift advice for a 7yo Disney Princess lover

November 29, 2019 7:15 AM

Hi all, I'm doing a charity gift thing where we were given a kid to buy gifts for. This kid's big gift is a Disney Princess travel suitcase set, which we'll get. I'm looking for other suggestions she might like, based on this admittedly limited profile.

I don't have kids and don't know what a 7 yo old into Disney Princess might also want. Her parent requested clothes and shoes. I'm wondering if anyone knows what the heart's desire of a kid that age into Disney might like. I'd love to include a book and/or a creative toy, if you have any suggestions.

I'm totally not personally down with Disney Princess, but also believe in honoring kids' wishes, so I'm not going to go rogue and get her completely opposite stuff. Though I wouldn't mind some empowering sorts of things to go with it.

posted by Miko to Shopping (14 answers total)

You could include a set of these action figures: I Am Elemental. They're fabulous.
posted by Jacob G at 7:26 AM on November 29, 2019 [1 favorite]

There are two books called 5 minute Princess Stories: 1, 2 and the reviews say they are different books. There are 2 Frozen specific "5 minute stories" books, but I guess they have some overlap. There is also a Princess specific coloring book.
posted by soelo at 7:26 AM on November 29, 2019 [3 favorites]

Books are a great idea. The kids department at my Barnes & Noble has a ton of books about Disney princesses and many of them are bargain priced. There are "Step into Reading" hardcovers with 3 or 4 stories about different characters for seven bucks or something; you could also get a handful of paperbacks from the same series. Reading level is hard to guess for a kid you don't know, so include a gift receipt.

At one level higher than Step Into Reading, I would consider something like Princess in Black or The Never Girls. Not Disney Princesses but The Never Girls is Disney and Princess in Black is darling.

I like the 5 Minute Stories a lot too.
posted by BibiRose at 7:44 AM on November 29, 2019 [2 favorites]

With Frozen 2 coming out there is a ton of stuff. Maybe some Frozen sweatshirts?
posted by k8t at 8:02 AM on November 29, 2019 [1 favorite]

Glittery play doh would be a hit with the princess lovers I know.

There are also quite a few Lego kits that are Disney princess themed.

This one is Belle themed.

There are also lego Disney Princess books.
posted by MadMadam at 8:06 AM on November 29, 2019 [2 favorites]

If there is a Disney Store near you I would suggest going there. One thing they have that I think offers a lot of creative play for children is play sets of plastic figurine type dolls, here is one of the princesses (I think it is easy for us to judge toys like this, but from working in a school with 600 children aged 4-11, I have observed that these types of dolls do really help kids to process their lives by play acting with the character, both by themselves as well as with other children.)
posted by momochan at 8:06 AM on November 29, 2019 [3 favorites]

There are a variety of Disney Princess LEGO sets, and 7 seems like Prime LEGO age.
posted by Kriesa at 8:10 AM on November 29, 2019 [3 favorites]

There may be a book in this list that is princess-ish or princess-adjacent, and with an empowering message: A Mighty Girl's book section features over 3,000 girl-empowering books starring stellar Mighty Girl characters.

Here are a few I found in the right age range, with "princess" in the title:

The Paper Bag Princess Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald --- who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance. Maybe her Prince "Charming" isn't a part of her "happily ever after" after all.

The Courageous Princess Vol. 1: Beyond the Hundred Kingdoms In this stunning graphic novel, Princess Mabelrose may not be the fairest of the land, but she has enough brains and bravery to fend for herself in a fantasy world of danger and adventure!

The Courageous Princess, Vol. 2: The Unremembered Lands The smart and plucky Princess Mabelrose has escaped a dragon and freed the people of Leptia from a tyrant. Journeying home, Mabelrose discovers that her father was coming to her rescue -- but now, he and a posse of princes are the ones who need rescuing! So Mabelrose begins a new quest...
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:17 AM on November 29, 2019 [3 favorites]

I'm sitting right next to my 8 year old. Based on her tastes and those of her peers, I'd say that simple crafting items would be a good pick. Our hits have been beaded necklace kits, and stuff that lets them weave potholders, bracelets or little bags. Less mess than most options, but still engaging. Smaller stuff like Wikki Stix are also welcome gifts.

They also really seem to enjoy fuzzy pillows and blankets.

The book that they loved was "the Princess and the Pony" by Kate Beaton. For some reason it is $2 at Barnes and Noble right now. Lovely book about a viking warrior princess, but with light fart jokes (gassy pony). (Edit: Ah, it's a used book, but there are many brand new options out there for just a few dollars.)
posted by Alison at 9:27 AM on November 29, 2019 [1 favorite]

It sounds corny, but if you have clothing sizes, get a full 'matching set' of Disney Princess stuff (as someone pointed out, lots of Frozen 2 stuff out now). Get a sweater, shirt, pants, socks, underwear. She might not love getting socks and undies, but these things don't grow on trees, and having new, 'on brand' ones makes it cooler than the cheapest dollar store ones. Otherwise, include a gift certificate for two tickets to whatever your local movie theatre, so she can go see 'frozen 2' or something else. Include the 'popcorn package' because it sucks as a kid to go to the movies and see everyone else with popcorn and know you're super lucky to just get to see the movie. You are good person. Thank you.
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 10:53 AM on November 29, 2019 [7 favorites]

Totally agree with Northbysonewhatcrazy, both with regard to the clothes and tix so she can see Frozen II which is huge right now (parent of 5 and 7 year olds here). Tons of super cute Disney princess clothes out there that are both utilitarian and very princessy!
posted by amro at 2:21 PM on November 29, 2019 [1 favorite]

A kid I know wore a Disney princess nightgown to bed for years until she completely outgrew it.
posted by mareli at 3:11 PM on November 29, 2019

Get her this Frozen II play set and this Anna costume. Signed, parent of a princess-loving almost 6-year-old and Daisy leader of a bunch of kids this age.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:31 PM on November 29, 2019

Response by poster: Thanks for the great guidance! We put many of your tips to use and got a lovely thank you note - sounded like the extras were a hit!
posted by Miko at 2:31 PM on December 29, 2019 [2 favorites]