Birthday gift suggestion for my soon to be 5yo ds?

[midwestbelle]

My oldest ds will be 5 in a few weeks. Any suggestions for gifts? He's got a bike and playmobil stuff. He has lots of building blocks and legos, dinosaurs and cars and trains. He wants a Leapster, but we were really trying to stay away from video games. My nephew had one at Christmas and my ds couldn't put it down. He gets into the trance mode with tv and video stuff and I'm not sure I like it.

TIA

[Sue G in PA]

I feel the same about video games, but Leapster games ARE educational! My ds6 play his Leapster in the van during long trips (all our trip are long!), during his breaks, at dr. visits while we wait, etc. My ds6 has learned a bunch from Leapster games and is reinforcing what he has learned during lessons. I'd go for it (just IMHO!). We make new Leapster games his rewards for doing chores, having a good attitude, completing assignments, etc. using the Handipoints website.

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

Marble Run was a huge hit this Christmas with my 3.5 yo and 6.5 yo sons. I had fun with it too :-)

[Jean in Newcastle]

A real tape measure, a little level (real), a ruler, a little construction apron to put them in - and of course - some home improvement projects for him to help with!

[Kayaking Mom]

My DS (5) loves his Leapster. I *loathed* the idea of getting one - but for him (and audio/visual learner) he really learns a lot from it. We limit the time he spends on it (the kids get 30 minutes of screen time per day after school and chores - and they have to pick what they want to do - any complaints and it's banned until further notice). It's great for the car.

I would also highly recommend Snap Circuts Jr. My son LOVES LOVES LOVES his and plays with them all the time. Our set was $14 ($25 at Hobby Lobby but used a 40% off coupon). LOVE them. He's also a huge fan of Playmobile anything.

HTH! Happy Birthday!

[Robyn]

My kids have always loved pretend play items like this pirate dress up kit (http://www.novanatural.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1526/.f?sc=2&category=4866). We also have wooden swords and shields. Magic Cabin (http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=1&bc=1004&pgc=379&sv=333344&cmvalue=MCD%7C1%7CTOYS%20%20%20GAMES%20DEPARTMENTS %7C333344%7CCOLLECTION%7C333344%7C333344-P3) has an impressive shield and sword set. Action figures have been my oldest's favorite since he was about 3 or 4 and he still plays with most of them now at age 9.
Active toys are great too;mini trampoline, jump rope, inline skates, etc.
In retrospect, I wish I had waited a little longer to introduce video games. The time that ds is allowed to play on his XBox is sadly the most valued part of his day.:rolleyes:

[midwestbelle]

I made a list of your suggestions to consider. The grandparents and aunts and uncles always call me wanting a list and I was just stumped. We just had Christmas!

Thanks again,

[Jolash]

a headlamp flashlight from LLBean. We gave our then five year old son one three years ago and he still loves it!

[lynn]

is let them decide where they want to eat or mine usually wanted me to make them a special dinner, what kind of cake, icecream etc. Any birthday gifts were cash which went into the childs account accept for x amount to buy what they want. It's worked for years here. Sometimes we have friends and relatives some years not. My children are very happy with this. Of course we get themed table cloth, plates, napkins, balloons I have very content children.