MOOKs - gift ideas for boys?

[vanillacourage]

DS1 is 7.5 and now that he's aged out of most traditional toys both my mom and my MIL seem flummoxed on what to get him. What he'd really love are gift cards, but they want stuff to wrap and be able to watch him open. 

Thankfully they've been running ideas past me which is good because they've both lost their damn minds this year. One wanted to get him a full sized Pop A Shot game, the other wanted to get him a flat-screen TV for his room. No and no. 

What are your boys into this year, so I can send them more ideas?

[lindsaymg]

My parents are getting DS this. He is 7.

[cjeanette]

At that age C was really getting into big lego sets.

[imojoebunny]

My 6 year old wants a computer, some software, including a program to design houses, and code mindcrap. I give up. We had good luck with an adult tool kit from IKEA, some some small pieces of wood, wood glue, and a nail screw set last year.

Like a cheap version of the: www.amazon.com/Lakeshore-Learning-Materials-Build-It-Yourself-Woodworking/dp/B009IYD7PO/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1448249871&sr=1-1&keywords=tool+kit+and+building+set

If your kid doesn't like playmobil or legos, like mine, you are stuck with books, science kits, or whatever his weird fascination is. We have also been through pokemon, snap circuits, and games, like "find it". "story cubes", diaries, workbooks of all kinds, and maybe something like a bike or scooter.

[h]

DS1 is 8. His list this year includes:

Lego Dimensions starter set for our Xbox One and a few of the level and team packs to go with it
2015 Guiness Book of World Records
2015 Topps baseball card set
A couple Xbox games (Minecraft Storymode and Just Dance 2016)
Laser Maze game
Book on how to make paper airplanes
Jersey for his favorite basketball ball team
Nike and Under Armour clothes
A couple Lego sets
Jurassic World DVD
Badmitton set with net
Crayola light projector
Boxed set of Diary of a Wimpy kid books
Simon

Does your DS like games? DS1 is a big fan of Battleship, Clue, Quirkle, Traffic Jam, and Chess these days if you don't have those. We got him a chin up bar last Christmas and installed it in his closet doorway--it has been a big hit. Or a basketball goal, soccer goal, or any other sports equipment?

[h]

DS1 has also been somewhat intrigued by the Meccano sets like this

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TY40EKO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1448250750&sr=1-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=Meccano&dpPl=1&dpID=516u7x4b-pL&ref=plSrch

And the Miposaur
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VFZDOC0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1448250706&sr=1-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=dinosaur+robot&dpPl=1&dpID=51u5qRZef9L&ref=plSrch

Eta --
And Makey Makey looks cool:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008SFLEPE/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_11?colid=2IU58WFDES0JY&coliid=I2X6K3169M831N

[vanillacourage]

Nov 22, 2015 22:49:00 GMT -5 h said:

DS1 is 8. His list this year includes:

Lego Dimensions starter set for our Xbox One and a few of the level and team packs to go with it

Oooh this looks awesome and I bet he'd love it - my DH probably wouldn't mind playing it with him either. I have to say though, I hate that everything is going to the Skylanders business model. :/

[SpartanGirl]

My son is 7.5 as well. He's very into spy gear. Here are a few things on his wish list:

Video walkie talkies (they were only $49 when I bought them): www.amazon.com/Spy-Gear-6022055-Video-WalkieTalkies/dp/B00CNNPPVG/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1448250525&sr=1-1&keywords=video+walkie+talkie

Chrono bomb game: www.amazon.com/dp/B00WB3H6YM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=U1TXNZSNOL2J&coliid=I3TGCMBYQWPE9M

Science detective kit: www.amazon.com/dp/B00TF8Z7NS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=U1TXNZSNOL2J&coliid=I2YQ5PTHOOWL4H&psc=1

Pop can cable car: www.amazon.com/dp/B00JB93YBS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=U1TXNZSNOL2J&coliid=I2HB9YMQRPUJ71

My daughter has this microscope that DS likes to use as well: www.amazon.com/My-First-Lab-Duo-Scope-Microscope/dp/B000NOU54O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1448250714&sr=8-4&keywords=kids+microscope

He also loves Pokemon and Under Armour clothes.

A friend is getting this for her son and it looks pretty awesome: us.kano.me/products/kano-kit

He's also getting books (Percy Jackson, Spy School, Pokemon, Minecraft handbooks), stilts, pajamas, a gymnastics bag, and this robot kit from his grandparents:
www.hearthsong.com/14-in-1-educational-robot.htm#reviews

[h]

Nov 22, 2015 22:54:22 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

Nov 22, 2015 22:49:00 GMT -5 h said:

DS1 is 8. His list this year includes:

Lego Dimensions starter set for our Xbox One and a few of the level and team packs to go with it

Oooh this looks awesome and I bet he'd love it - my DH probably wouldn't mind playing it with him either. I have to say though, I hate that everything is going to the Skylanders business model. :/

I know. But on the other hand, at least it creates something to buy kids that have mostly outgrown toys because they can collect the figures.

FYI, it is 35% off on Cartwheel right now, and if you text GAMER to Target you can get a coupon for another $10 off, which takes it from $99 to $55. It is supposed to be better than the BF deals.

Disney Infinity 3.0 with all the new Star Wars figures is also out. That's what my 5.5 yo us getting, but I know both hits will play with both.

[h]

Does he have a Boogie Board? They are pretty cool.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AFPR684/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_6?colid=2IU58WFDES0JY&coliid=IVKC3AQEJYYL1&vs=1

[savan]

DS is 8

So far we have purchased some games for the family: Life, Sorry, Sumoku, Mancala

Disney infinity Star Wars bundle
Laser Maze game
A drone DH got a Costco
Snap Circuits

Those video walkie talkies look awesome and I will be watching for a price drop. We'll probably also get him some books and some math games.

[h]

Nov 22, 2015 22:45:47 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

If your kid doesn't like playmobil or legos, like mine, you are stuck with books, science kits, or whatever his weird fascination is.

There's more, but it obviously depends heavily on the kid. 90% of what my kid wants doesn't fall into those categories. He wants video games, board games, art supplies, DVDs, baseball cards, sports equipment, autographed sports memorabilia, and "cool" (according to him) clothes. And he would really love a zip line, a tree house, Nerf guns, and an iPhone, but he is not getting any of those things.

[h]

vanillacourage -- Do you have room for the Pop A Shot game your mom wants to get? Because my kid would pretty much flip for one. I would totally be down with it if we had a basement to put it in.

[savan]

Nov 22, 2015 23:13:30 GMT -5 h said:

Nov 22, 2015 22:45:47 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

If your kid doesn't like playmobil or legos, like mine, you are stuck with books, science kits, or whatever his weird fascination is.

There's more, but it obviously depends heavily on the kid. 90% of what my kid wants doesn't fall into those categories. He wants video games, board games, art supplies, DVDs, baseball cards, sports equipment, autographed sports memorabilia, and "cool" (according to him) clothes. And he would really love a zip line, a tree house, Nerf guns, and an iPhone, but he is not getting any of those things.

My DS was so disappointed last year when Santa didn't bring him the zip line he'd requested.  I told him that Santa knew we didn't have any trees to hang it on.

[savan]

One of DS's friends got this for his birthday and the boys love playing with it:

www.amazon.com/Anki-000-00031-OVERDRIVE-Starter-Kit/dp/B00V6951I0/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1448252491&sr=8-9&keywords=drive+toy

[h]

Ooh, I just remembered that my ILs are getting DS1 a GoPro camera as his big gift. We are skiing in January and going to Costa Rica in March (where he will get to zip line ), so I think it will be fun for that. It's this one:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WU9UJDM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1448252744&sr=1-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=go+pro&dpPl=1&dpID=51Au0iChNuL&ref=plSrch

[lauralala]

Nov 22, 2015 22:39:30 GMT -5 lindsaymg said:

My parents are getting DS this. He is 7.

DH wants to get this for DS, who would absolutely love it, but there is just not room in his bedroom.

[niq]

The Star Wars bb8 droid if your can find it? I might be projecting.

[vanillacourage]

Nov 22, 2015 23:17:49 GMT -5 h said:

vanillacourage -- Do you have room for the Pop A Shot game your mom wants to get? Because my kid would pretty much flip for one. I would totally be down with it if we had a basement to put it in.

Yes, but we're thinking of putting our house on the market in the spring and I'm trying to eliminate the non-store-able kid stuff. Plus, he's not into basketball (baseball is his thing).

[lurknomore]

DD1 is also 7. She's asked for an iPhone. Nope. She's getting these Zoob sets from Alex toys. They have some cool ones, including building robots. It's all STEM stuff but totally cool. Let me see if I can find the other links.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007OUZWCU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1448253823&sr=1-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=Zoob&dpPl=1&dpID=61KYT2pLvRL&ref=plSrch

Creepy glow creatures

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IYGLABU/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1448253823&sr=1-6&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=Zoob&dpPl=1&dpID=61RzMcXYPiL&ref=plSrch


Robot

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003IKN4OS/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1448253977&sr=1-9&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=Zoob

[cinco]

My 7.5 year old asked for Legos and Star Wars. We have a Wii, so I plan to get the Lego Star Wars game and the Origami Yoda book set. I also picked up a 300 piece puzzle of a world map.

[jeaniebueller]

DS's birthday is today and he got a couple of lego star wars kits, the star wars battleship game, which were both hits. For Christmas, he is getting some books and is some fishing gear. My MIL is getting him a portable DVD player for our car for road trips.

[jeaniebueller]

Nov 22, 2015 22:39:30 GMT -5 lindsaymg said:

My parents are getting DS this. He is 7.

It looks fun and I am sure my DS would love it, but god help me, I cannot handle any more plastic toys in my house.

[pattieice]

My almost 6 year old is getting the Ultimate Garage. The Amazon reviews say that it is huge, Ugh.

He is getting 2 different Crayola tablet accessories. One is a Matchbox thing where he can design a racecar and then race it.

Board games. Twister, Head Bands, Monopoly Jr and Life Jr

[h]

Nov 23, 2015 9:27:36 GMT -5 cinco said:

My 7.5 year old asked for Legos and Star Wars. We have a Wii, so I plan to get the Lego Star Wars game and the Origami Yoda book set. I also picked up a 300 piece puzzle of a world map.

Lego Star Wars on the Wii is a huge favorite around here with my 8 yo and my 5.5 yo.

[kershnic]

Can somebody explain to me what the Disney Infinity 3.0 thing is? Old person checking in, trying to buy presents for almost 7 year old nephews who love Star Wars.... h?

[jeaniebueller]

Nov 23, 2015 11:24:15 GMT -5 kershnic said:

Can somebody explain to me what the Disney Infinity 3.0 thing is? Old person checking in, trying to buy presents for almost 7 year old nephews who love Star Wars.... h ?

Its just another game for a gaming system. You buy the starter kit, hook up the cradle to the gaming system and put the disc in, and they can use the different characters on the cradle in the game. We have 1.0 and 2.0 and now DS wants 3.0 and I am kind of ugh about buying yet another version. But I know he would like it. Skylanders and there is also a Lego one that is a similar concept.

[kershnic]

Nov 23, 2015 11:36:09 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Nov 23, 2015 11:24:15 GMT -5 kershnic said:

Can somebody explain to me what the Disney Infinity 3.0 thing is? Old person checking in, trying to buy presents for almost 7 year old nephews who love Star Wars.... h ?

Its just another game for a gaming system. You buy the starter kit, hook up the cradle to the gaming system and put the disc in, and they can use the different characters on the cradle in the game. We have 1.0 and 2.0 and now DS wants 3.0 and I am kind of ugh about buying yet another version. But I know he would like it. Skylanders and there is also a Lego one that is a similar concept.

So the figures are just set on top of a cradle attached to the gaming system, and then don't do anything else?

My sister put these playschool figurines on their list:


I was thinking maybe the ones combined with the video game would be cool instead, but I'm so lost.  

[kershnic]

Nov 22, 2015 23:03:27 GMT -5 savan said:

DS is 8

So far we have purchased some games for the family: Life, Sorry, Sumoku, Mancala

Disney infinity Star Wars bundle
Laser Maze game
A drone DH got a Costco
Snap Circuits

Those video walkie talkies look awesome and I will be watching for a price drop. We'll probably also get him some books and some math games.

FYI those video walkie talkies are at Target for $50, plus 20% off with coupon TOYS.  I think I'm going to get those for one of my nephews, they look awesome.  

ETA: Looks like it's store pick up only.  They're "low stock" at my usual Target so I hope my order will go through.  I live in an area with a bazillion Targets though and there are several that claim to have them.

[jeaniebueller]

Nov 23, 2015 11:43:13 GMT -5 kershnic said:

Nov 23, 2015 11:36:09 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Its just another game for a gaming system. You buy the starter kit, hook up the cradle to the gaming system and put the disc in, and they can use the different characters on the cradle in the game. We have 1.0 and 2.0 and now DS wants 3.0 and I am kind of ugh about buying yet another version. But I know he would like it. Skylanders and there is also a Lego one that is a similar concept.

So the figures are just set on top of a cradle attached to the gaming system, and then don't do anything else?

My sister put these playschool figurines on their list:


I was thinking maybe the ones combined with the video game would be cool instead, but I'm so lost.  

When they put them on the cradle, that is the character that they are in the game, KWIM? There are also little power discs you can buy that give the character additional powers, etc.