Activities for girls: Five things to make and do

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Sugar and spice and all things nice, that’s what little girls are made of.

And pink, lots of pink. Don't little girls love anything pink! And why shouldn’t they?

In recent years, the pendulum of public and professional opinion has swung back from 'surely boys and girls are the same' to  a more enlightened 'viva la difference!'.

So put down the toy truck you're trying to foist upon your daughter and celebrate her gloriously girlish side with some activities designed just for her.

We’ve compiled a list of activities and games for girls that play to their strengths: communication, social and imaginary play, dolls, tea parties and pink. Lots and lots of pink.

How to dress like a fairy princess

Most little girls will go through the fairy stage or the princess stage, or the princess fairy stage. Yep, she'll love being a fairy princess dressed in head-to-toe pink. So set aside an afternoon to craft all the bits and pieces together then let her loose in the garden to get down to some serious fairy business.

Instructions on how to dress like a fairy princess

Make newspaper tea party hats

When I was a little girl, my tea set was my most prized possession. I've since found out that having a tea party is still fun. Why not make matching newspaper hats then sit down together for a girly chat over 'tea' and cakes. Don't forget to invite Bunny and Bear.

Instructions on how to make newspaper tea party hats

Make a shoebox dollhouse

What is it about dollhouses? I'm still drawn to them. Is it all those little miniature furniture and miniature dolls? Making your own out of shoeboxes is a great way to engage your little girl in some serious architectural planning. Not really, but you will learn a lot about her by how she plans out her dream home!

Instructions on how to make a shoebox dollhouse

Make your own fairy garden

Helping your little girl create a fairy garden will unleash all kinds of wonderful. You can leave notes for the fairies in the mailbox and even make them a bench seat. If you build it, they will come. Promise.

Instructions on how to make your own fairy garden

Make friendship bracelets

Maybe your little girl isn't much of a 'talker'. In which case, sitting down and engaging in a focused task of making friendship bracelets may be a way to open up a friendship between two shy girls. There's all sorts of bracelet designs but this one is the simplest, so start here.

Instructions on how to make friendship bracelets