A toy dump truck! Great for either gender, as if you get a big enough one, it can be used to gather up blocks, give rides to dolls or teddies (or the family pet, if it is small enough and cooperative enough ... Good outdoors if child has a sandbox or gravel driveway ...

Blocks or the too-big-to-swallow Leggos

Big fat crayons and a big pad of paper - you can get cheap pads of newsprint stock paper, big enough to trace the birthday kid!

Sidewalk chalk *if* child has any place to use it

Wrap the bow around a bottle of bubble soap for a little extra something!