Boys and Their Toys

[Pandoras]

Shopping for boys is so hard!

My sister has three kids - two girls, ages 8 and 6, and a boy, age 2. Shopping for girls is so easy. There's so much variety. But I'm so disappointed by the selection for boys. Boy toys are either some kind in of motor vehicle (a car, boat, plane, or some variation of these) or toy weapons (mostly guns). And the clothes all look like mini adult men's clothing.

I'm stumped as to what to get my nephew. Collectively, the kids have plenty of books so that's out. He has tons of toy cars and trucks, but shows no interest in planes or boats, so that's all out. I won't get him toy guns. He doesn't show interest in toy tools. I've already got him a shirt, but I need more ideas.

Help!

[Keroberos]

well, I think toys like action figures might be a good idea. I also like getting guys media, no boy won't like video games, movies or music. Now if you sister keeps the kids from watching TV this makes things 8 billion times harder. In that case I would say animal figures, Like a cowboy and horse set, or some dinosaurs.

[Shanti]

What about educational. There is tons of educational stuff from most of the big name companies and not so big companies. Leap frog has great beginner stuff!!! I get my kids almost nothing but educational or imaginative ie without batteries!!. :)

[Pandoras]

well, I think toys like action figures might be a good idea. I also like getting guys media, no boy won't like video games, movies or music. Now if you sister keeps the kids from watching TV this makes things 8 billion times harder. In that case I would say animal figures, Like a cowboy and horse set, or some dinosaurs.
Oh no, the TV is the babysitter. He's only two so media isn't quite up his ally yet and surprisingly, my sister has never bought them any video game console. We have this theory that it stupefies kids. Although he's a little young, action figures might be pretty good. He doesn't seem to like dinosaurs, but I think he might like a cowboy and horse set. Thanks.

What about educational. There is tons of educational stuff from most of the big name companies and not so big companies. Leap frog has great beginner stuff!!! I get my kids almost nothing but educational or imaginative ie without batteries!!.
I do like educational toys. We bought them Leap Frog a year or two ago. Who knows where it is now. Deep in the depths of the toy piles. Batteries long out. But I'll look into some other educational toys. Thanks.

[misschief]

mine (i have four) love yu-gi-oh, jigsaw puzzles, leap pads, super heros, anything to do with firetrucks, police, etc., um.... i dunno.. my boys aren't extremely picky. *shrug*

[Ben Trismegistus]

How about art products? A set of fat crayons (washable, of course), some pads of paper, and maybe a cute plastic easel or something. Affordable and fun!

[BrigidMoon]

How about art products? A set of fat crayons (washable, of course), some pads of paper, and maybe a cute plastic easel or something. Affordable and fun!
Awesome idea :) Leggos are fun to build and create with too.

[Zoritsa_Nepenthe]

A 2 year old isn't so bad to shop for...it's when they're teens that it sucks :scream: My youngest is 2 as is my nephew,and what they like are:


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2697442&cat=103117&type=5&dept=4171&path=0%3A4171%3A4173%3A133952 This item is pretty neat.It doesn't make a mess and the kids are amazed that the marker doesn't have ink in it.


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?cat=107715&path=0%3A4171%3A103117%3A107715 A list of items for boys in the two year range.Anything cars and trucks,balls,tents with attached tunnels,large lego's,etc..Beginner computer learning games are also an idea if they have a computer.

[Pandoras]

Zoritsa - thanks for those links, but those toys are too babyish for DJ.

Art products are a great idea, Ben, thanks. He does like to draw and read.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

[Faery-Wings]

Boys really are hard to shop for. My sin wants some Stink Bombb blaster thing, and Snot Shot. And nope, he is not getting them.

Most of my suggestions were mentioned already. Art, leap Pad... most kids adore playdo. Model Magic by Crayola is great stuff too. You can buy it in plain white, then use markers to color it. And it is no where nearly as messy as Playdo. (doesn't smell as good as playdo either :( )

How about some dress up? Police or fire outfits? Fisher Price used to make this awesome camping set- a back pack with camping gear, mini tent and a pretend campfire.

Ok, now who has ideas for an 8 yo? jk. :)

[*Rain*]

I have this problem 3 times a year when my nephew's birthdays come around.

I think last year when Harri was only 2 I got him a set of zoo animals, they were quite chunky and very cute and cartoony looking. He loved them and spent days walking around making all the different sounds to go with them. He was obsessed with Pingu at that age too but I don't know if you get that where you are. The older ones at that age were into Bob the Builder and Thomas.

[Pandoras]

Boys really are hard to shop for. My sin wants some Stink Bombb blaster thing, and Snot Shot. And nope, he is not getting them.
Oh yes, Stink Bomb blaster and Snot Shot. Those sound just lovely. :smile:

Now as far as your 8-year-old, I imagine that must be a little easier since he already has his like and dislikes and will pretty much tell you what he wants. Maybe something sports related, some CD's, DVD's, video games, spy gear, space stuff, or a classic game (like Battleship, electronic, of course). If your son like yucky stuff, how about the Totally Gross Game of Science (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006654A/ref=pd_gft_rec_kids_ip_0119/102-6460769-7366536?v=glance&s=toys)? Or some great books like the Chronicles of Narnia or Magic Tree House.

[AlAskendir]

Shopping for boys is so hard!

My sister has three kids - two girls, ages 8 and 6, and a boy, age 2. Shopping for girls is so easy. There's so much variety. But I'm so disappointed by the selection for boys. Boy toys are either some kind in of motor vehicle (a car, boat, plane, or some variation of these) or toy weapons (mostly guns). And the clothes all look like mini adult men's clothing.

I'm stumped as to what to get my nephew. Collectively, the kids have plenty of books so that's out. He has tons of toy cars and trucks, but shows no interest in planes or boats, so that's all out. I won't get him toy guns. He doesn't show interest in toy tools. I've already got him a shirt, but I need more ideas.

Help!

You may find more ideas at:

http://www.narniaweb.com/gallery.asp?gall=7

[Kalika]

Shopping for boys is so hard!

My sister has three kids - two girls, ages 8 and 6, and a boy, age 2. Shopping for girls is so easy. There's so much variety. But I'm so disappointed by the selection for boys. Boy toys are either some kind in of motor vehicle (a car, boat, plane, or some variation of these) or toy weapons (mostly guns). And the clothes all look like mini adult men's clothing.

I'm stumped as to what to get my nephew. Collectively, the kids have plenty of books so that's out. He has tons of toy cars and trucks, but shows no interest in planes or boats, so that's all out. I won't get him toy guns. He doesn't show interest in toy tools. I've already got him a shirt, but I need more ideas.

Help!

What about something like legos.... or something by Leap Frog?

:)

[wooleybob]

Yes Yes,by all means,Toys that make noise..lol and lots of batteries,(Ear plugs for parents,Not included)...lol

[RavensEye]

My suggestion is getting, a train set, wooden play blocks, or mega blocks or puzzles appropriate for his age, that is the type of stuff I am getting my son this year.

[Kalika]

:)

That reminds me...

If you look at www.walmart.com, or www.toysrus.com under the 12-24 months range or up, you will find lots of suggestions.

[atropa]

I'm really frustrated right now because all the Dora the Explorer stuff is for girls. WTF?? My son adores Dora. I can't imagine why it's all girly.

[MysticWitch]

I think educational toys are fab! They have leap frog and all other kinda of gagets.
I think BIGGER presents are the best :lol:
Think, Bikes, Rocking horse, furniture etc.. :bubbles: