Another Gift Question: Fun Gift

[ny96]

I try to categorize my gifts to the kids to make it easier. So far I have the big gift: passes to Universal, the shared gift: a dribble up soccer ball, clothes, and books. My final category is the “fun” toy gift. This is the gift that they can’t wait to tear into and play with right away on Christmas morning, and I’m still stuck on what to get them. DS1 is 10 and DS2 is 6. In the past I’ve gotten remote control cars, a kids dj and light set, and robots. They play with legos still, but they don’t ever build the sets, just free play. They both love art and are constantly drawing, but already have a million art supplies. I’d like to keep this under $40 because it can be a toy where the thrill wears off. I’m going to go to the store Camp today to see if there is anything that catches my eye (and also get stocking stuffers). Anyone have any suggestions?

[krystee]

I saw a table top air hockey set at Target that looked fun, but I can’t remember the price. There was a tabletop foosball too, if I remember right. I saw a spy kit I thought my almost 9YO might like, but I think that was in a catalog so I don’t remember where. Maybe those air hog remote control cars that can go up walls?

[fancynewbeesly]

I don't know if you are anti-nerf, but a couple years ago I got everyone nerf guns for their surprise fun gift. (DD1, DD2, DH and I). The girls had so much fun that morning just running around with the nerf guns. (I put a package of extra bullets in each stocking)

[maudefindlay]

Remote control race car track so they can race each other.

[cricketwife]

We are doing this marble run as what I call our “toy” gift. They have less expensive versions if you don’t want to spend that much.

www.amazon.com/NATIONAL-GEOGRAPHIC-Glowing-Marble-Glow/dp/B07W9B6P54/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=C6LGL51Z64S2&keywords=national%2Bgeographic%2Bmarble%2Brun%2Bglow%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bdark&qid=1702757901&sprefix=National%2BGeographic%2Bmarble%2B%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

It gets great reviews, seems good for slightly older kids, and could be a good fit if your kids love free-building with Lego.

[felicity]

Beyblades
Laser tag
Megalodon remote control monster truck - super fun and a lot more durable than most remote control cars

[sterl724]

Dec 16, 2023 15:21:46 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

We are doing this marble run as what I call our “toy” gift. They have less expensive versions if you don’t want to spend that much.

www.amazon.com/NATIONAL-GEOGRAPHIC-Glowing-Marble-Glow/dp/B07W9B6P54/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=C6LGL51Z64S2&keywords=national%2Bgeographic%2Bmarble%2Brun%2Bglow%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bdark&qid=1702757901&sprefix=National%2BGeographic%2Bmarble%2B%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

It gets great reviews, seems good for slightly older kids, and could be a good fit if your kids love free-building with Lego.

We got this for DS (6) last year and he still buils with it all the time. He is also a kid who free plays with legos A TON.

[ny96]

A very exciting update 😄

I ordered a Carerra build your own slot car race track for the kids. I remember getting a race car track at some point as a kid (although I don’t remember playing with it after Christmas morning), but I remember how fun it was.

[loira]

Dec 16, 2023 15:21:46 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

We are doing this marble run as what I call our “toy” gift. They have less expensive versions if you don’t want to spend that much.

www.amazon.com/NATIONAL-GEOGRAPHIC-Glowing-Marble-Glow/dp/B07W9B6P54/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=C6LGL51Z64S2&keywords=national%2Bgeographic%2Bmarble%2Brun%2Bglow%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bdark&qid=1702757901&sprefix=National%2BGeographic%2Bmarble%2B%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

It gets great reviews, seems good for slightly older kids, and could be a good fit if your kids love free-building with Lego.

DD has a marble run toy and loves it so I think that's a great idea. Just a heads-up to the OP that they are VERY noisy if you get all the marbles going at once. Still worth it but maybe make sure they play with it in their room or playroom instead of the living room haha.

[ny96]

Dec 17, 2023 13:36:52 GMT -5 loira said:

Dec 16, 2023 15:21:46 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

We are doing this marble run as what I call our “toy” gift. They have less expensive versions if you don’t want to spend that much.

www.amazon.com/NATIONAL-GEOGRAPHIC-Glowing-Marble-Glow/dp/B07W9B6P54/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=C6LGL51Z64S2&keywords=national%2Bgeographic%2Bmarble%2Brun%2Bglow%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bdark&qid=1702757901&sprefix=National%2BGeographic%2Bmarble%2B%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

It gets great reviews, seems good for slightly older kids, and could be a good fit if your kids love free-building with Lego.

DD has a marble run toy and loves it so I think that's a great idea. Just a heads-up to the OP that they are VERY noisy if you get all the marbles going at once. Still worth it but maybe make sure they play with it in their room or playroom instead of the living room haha.

I just donated our marble run to Goodwill a few weeks ago.