Little girls love toys. On a typical day, you might find your favorite little princess brushing Barbie's hair, going on an adventure with Dora the Explorer or playing with the adorable creatures from the Sylvanian Families collection. Shopping for girl toys can be slightly overwhelming at times, though. There are so many choices that it's hard to figure out which toys she'll like the most. With boys, it's a bit easier. Simply hand them an action figure or a shiny Hot Wheels car, and they're happy for hours. Okay, maybe minutes-- but who's counting?
So which toys are the best toys for girls? What toy is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of that special little girl in your life? From dolls to mini kitchens, you'll find several of the best toys for girls below.
DOLLS
Nearly every girl under the age of 12 loves dolls. Younger girls will be delighted to receive a Mattel Little Mommy Walk and Giggle Doll, while older girls will enjoy dressing their very own Barbie doll. Future fashionistas will have a blast with any of the stylish dolls from the Moxie Girls collection. If your favorite little girl is under the age of three, stick with a soft cloth doll unless you plan to closely supervise her as she plays with her new toy. Stuffed Dora the Explorer dolls are available for toddlers and preschoolers.
ANIMALS
Animals and other cuddly creatures are just as popular with girls as dolls. What girl doesn't want to own a furry Zhu Zhu pet or loveable FurReal Friends puppy? The Littlest Pet Shop collection is also on every little girl's wish list, along with all of the furry little animals from Sylvanian Families. The target age range for these toys is generally 4 to 10 years of age, so stick with a plush stuffed animal for younger girls.
MAKE BELIEVE
There's nothing more fun than pretending to be a princess, restaurant worker, mom or chef. Little girls absolutely adore playing dress up and pretending to be a grown up. Buy her a Disney princess dress, and she'll spend all day pretending she's Belle or Cinderella. If princesses aren't really her thing, surprise her with a play kitchen set from Fisher Price or Kidkraft. Fisher Price also makes plastic play food, frying pans and silverware that is safe for little girls as young as 24 months.
Shopping for your favorite little girl doesn't have to be a hassle. Consider the toys above for her next birthday, holiday or special occasion. Even if no special events are scheduled, there's nothing wrong with purchasing a fun new toy "just because". She's only little once. Enjoy every moment.