My five year old is growing by leaps and bounds, making it a challenge to keep up with her needs and interests. What fascinated her yesterday is suddenly “babyish” today. I try to have toys and activities that will keep her interested. On the other hand, she likes to try to keep up with her older brothers and sisters, presenting me with the challenge of keeping the products she uses, age appropriate. These are my “must have” items for kids 4 and up – great for growing children who are past their toddler years, but not quite a “kid” yet.

1. Bicycle or big wheel. My 5 year old daughter spends vast quantities of time riding her bike up and down our block. She loves being able to ride all by herself; it makes her feel like a big kid. And I love that it gets her outside and keeps her active.

2. Hand-held video game. This is a great way to entertain your little one in waiting rooms. There is such a wide variety of educational software for hand-held gaming systems that not only amuse, but teach as well. Best of all, they help eliminate all the “Are we there yet?”s on long car trips.

3. GoodNites® Underpants. Many kids stop wetting the bed by the age of six, but for the millions who continue to wet at night, keeping them dry and comfortable is essential. When taking vacations or attending sleepovers at friend’s houses, they can be apprehensive about nighttime accidents in an unfamiliar environment. Pack GoodNites®, they are specifically designed for growing kids, lessen stress and ensure your little one gets a good night’s sleep.

4. Water bottle. It doesn’t matter where we go, about two seconds after leaving my house, I almost always hear, “I’m thirsty” from my 5 year old. I’ve taken to carrying a no-spill water bottle with me everywhere to eliminate the need to stop for drinks every few minutes when we’re out and about.

5. Toys that promote imagination. I love when my kids make up games and play for hours pretending to be a fireman, a princess, a mermaid, or an alien, etc. My 5 year old daughter loves dress-up clothes and her play phone. Each of my kids, when they were that age, could play all day with the simplest of objects: a big box, crayons, household objects. For so many kids today, play seems to be a lost art. Let your kids be kids and do the things kids love to do – play and pretend.

6. Books. 4-6 year olds just soak up information like sponges. Some are just beginning to recognize letters while others are beginning to read. Provide age-appropriate books for your beginning reader and read to them every day. Reading to them before bed is a great way to unwind and set a relaxing tone for bedtime (which, incidentally, can also help end the day on a positive note, lessening stress and strengthening confidence in a child who wets the bed).

7. Last, but not least – a camera. Your 4-6 year old is growing and changing before your very eyes. Make sure you capture those precious moments on film and/or video tape. Believe me, before you know it, they’ll be going off to college and you’ll wonder where the time went.