last minute gift ideas - 6 year old boy

[CloudBee]

DS is 6, and in his annual letter asked Santa to surprise him for Christmas. There is nothing big in size or wow factor that we have been able to come up with. Usually there's at least one toy commercial that catches his eye this time of year. But this year, nothing. He's getting a bunch of books that he's wanted (ongoing series), one small Lego set ("because I think I have enough Legos for now, mom"), and another set of Magnatiles. There are some other odds and ends, but really not much. He also has no one else but us giving him gifts this week, so I want to make Christmas morning a little more exciting. He's really making this hard for us this year! 

I'm about to get dressed and run to Walmart to see if I can find one item that will have his jaw dropping. He's very much into the magic of Santa, so we decided to be less reasonable and find something that will make him really happy in the moment. Even if it's not something we expect he will use much in the long run. One year there was nothing flashy for him to open so we bought a giant $10 blow up dinosaur punching bag. He flipped over that, but it was short-lived. Your suggestions don't have to be expensive. 

Any ideas?

[redheadk]

Hmmmm, maybe a drone? One that isn't super expensive and doesn't fly very high? My DH has a few and DD loves playing with it (with his help, of course) at the park.

Or if you want something big in size, some sort of indoor tent if you don't already have one? Or a hammock? My DD loves hammocks.

[redheadk]

I'd look online at Hearthsong, they always have interesting stuff, and see what you can find that is similar at Walmart. www.hearthsong.com/en/sale/featured-collections/boy%27s-gifts-on-sale/c/8363

[ruby2shoes]

Do you live in an area that gets snow? Sleds/tubes never disappoint. Is he in to sports? A soccer net or air tee for practicing baseball?

[sakura]

A drum set? Ukulele? Keyboard? My 6 yo is really into musical instruments right now.

[noodleoo]

Stomp rockets? I feel like those are recommended for that age.

Stomp rockets

[tarajane]

Two ideas I didn't get but have saved for my 6 year old
Batman/transformer voice changing mask
Snap circuits


Things he's getting
Ufo drone
Watch
Wallet
Books

[twilightmv]

This Christmas is exactly the same for me! Both my boys (7 and almost 6) asked for small things. I got them echo dots as their surprise gifts, and color changing smart light bulbs for their rooms. We have homepods/smart lights in the grownup areas of the house, so I think they will have fun having dance parties in their room with the dots. And I hate when they change the lights to purple in the living room but they can do what they want in their own rooms. 

[dcn]

Ditto a keyboard or voice changing helmet!

[ohgillian]

Rad robot? My 9 year old got it a few days ago and a six year old could definitely use it. Link below. Or similarly, any remote control truck or car.
www.walmart.com/ip/Really-RAD-Robots-Electronic-Remote-Control-Robot-with-Voice-Command-Built-for-Speed-and-Tricks-Turbo-Bot/445644905

[ohgillian]

An artificial tree for his room decorated with things he likes?

[devonpow]

Both my boys LOVED their Quadrilla brand marble rubs at that age - and still use them. Very well made, high quality, lots of creativity etc. Great toy.

[pierogigirl]

Something science-y - snap circuits, kid telescope, constellation projector, crystal growing kit (our local parent-teacher store is awesome for gifts you don't see everywhere else)

Outdoors-y - binoculars, a play tent for his room (my 8 yr old has his set up all the time)

Edit - fishing pole (check your local and state laws - here kids under 12, I think, don't need a license, but adults do)

[susiebw]

DS is 5 and asked for the Paw Patrol Mighty Pup Tower. That thing is a monster, and will definitely be a flashy thing under the tree. We also got him a basketball net for outside. DH put everything together and hid all but the backboard and hoop outside. We wrapped the backboard and hoop for under the tree with a bball.

[Deleted]

MP3 player
Metal detector
Skateboard
Electric scooter or hoverboard
Rock tumbler
Break your own geodes
Bow and arrows
Big nerf gun
Digital camera (not a kids one)

[ohgillian]

A big hot wheels set could have a wow factor.

[krystee]

Is space a factor? If you have a basement with room, maybe a foosball table or air hockey table? I got an air hockey table from Walmart for super cheap this year (not full size, but not small).

[cricketwife]

Dec 24, 2019 10:39:38 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Both my boys LOVED their Quadrilla brand marble rubs at that age - and still use them. Very well made, high quality, lots of creativity etc. Great toy.

Ooh, I’m so glad to hear this!!! I heard that Santa’s loaded one in his sleigh for us.

[abs]

Instant camera and film

Small air hockey table

New bike or scooter

[statgirl]

Karaoke machine
Battlebots by Hexbug
Hexbug arena set
Beyblades and battle area
Bakugan

[nicolewi]

Pokemon Cards, Dinosaur excavation kit, Big vehicle with some kind of cool lights or something, Star Wars stuff?, slime (ugh).

[Ashley&Scott]

New bike
RC car that can drive on ceilings

[mbcdefg]

A wallet with a $20 bill?

[sometimesrunner]

Beyblades? They’re basically sporty tops. Lol You can get an “arena” and beyblades in a set for under $50.

[ellipses84]

A remote control truck or robot. My mil got my kids a cheap little electric piano and they both love it.

[krystee]

I am curious to know what you ended up getting!

[hermione]

Dec 24, 2019 18:29:39 GMT -5 krystee said:

I am curious to know what you ended up getting!

Me too!

[CloudBee]

Sorry to post and run! My ILs moved into an assisted living facility yesterday, so I had to make THREE runs to Walmart today. Christmas Eve. Ahhh! The facility kept telling me items that MIL needed.

The Walmart on our side of town is small, and it was really picked over.

I got DS one of these "inflatable" box fan tents. The only bummer - we no longer own a box fan. I forgot...! I had to go back to Walmart to get one. Ha!

He's going to love it. Today he built a fort in his room. I love how the fan tent goes up in a minute, then deflates instantly, and packs down to practically nothing once you're done.

I appreciate all of your ideas!

[cosmowife]

Dec 24, 2019 17:54:20 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

Beyblades? They’re basically sporty tops. Lol You can get an “arena” and beyblades in a set for under $50.

This is what I was going to suggest. All of the first graders at our school are obsessed with these.