Present for a Four-Year-Old?

[Chookie]

I've been a bit busy lately, and haven't come across anything that makes me
think, "Yes!! DS would love that!!"

His birthday is next Sunday. Anyone got any ideas for a good present?

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"In Melbourne there is plenty of vigour and eagerness, but there is
nothing worth being eager or vigorous about."
Francis Adams, The Australians, 1893.

[Staycalm]

Found this if it is any help:

Tracking down the perfect gift for that curious and exploring little
four-year-old boy in your life can be a pleasure.
Steps:
1. Indulge your inner child: What would you have liked? Glow-in-the-dark
stars? Action figures? Blocks? Trucks? Trains?

2. Check with his parents: What does he already have? What's he into this
month? Is there a new toy that he's longing for?

3. Get into your task: Browse an online toy store or go to the mall. What
looks fun?

4. Consider alphabet puzzles, alphabet blocks or alphabet magnets. He'll
be reading soon.

5. Consider sound: Might he like a plastic portable cassette player or a
tape recorder? A CD or tape of nursery rhymes? Or some keyboarding software?

6. Go for a gift certificate, especially if you're out of state or out of
time.

7. Think long-term: Earmark a donation to his educational fund.

Tips:
Make sure whatever you get is returnable so you can avoid adding to those
piles of unused items in the garage.

Warnings:
Read the packaging and warning labels carefully to be sure that whatever
you settle on is safe for young children.

Liz

[Beth Kevles]

Two hits for our boys at that age were:

A pop-up bus that they could play in. (Also comes as a fire engine or a
play house.) It folds flat for storage behind a bookcase, or pops up
for use as a hideaway, as a bus (scoot-on-the-bottom powered) ... got
lots of use for quite a few years.

A mini-trampoline such as you can get at a sporting goods store for
about US$30. Round, about 3 feet in diameter, stand about 4 inches up
from the ground. Has rubber on the feet so can be used indoors. Good
for keeping the jumping OFF the bed ... Can be gotten with a detachable
bar to hold onto while jumping.

Some kids really like a kid's (read "sturdy") CD or tape player. Mine
never were really into it.

My two cents,
--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

[Jeff]

alt.aus.parents newsgorup deleted - I don;'t get it here.

"Beth Kevles" > wrote in message
...
>
> Two hits for our boys at that age were:
>
> A pop-up bus that they could play in. (Also comes as a fire engine or a
> play house.) It folds flat for storage behind a bookcase, or pops up
> for use as a hideaway, as a bus (scoot-on-the-bottom powered) ... got
> lots of use for quite a few years.
>
> A mini-trampoline such as you can get at a sporting goods store for
> about US$30. Round, about 3 feet in diameter, stand about 4 inches up
> from the ground. Has rubber on the feet so can be used indoors. Good
> for keeping the jumping OFF the bed ... Can be gotten with a detachable
> bar to hold onto while jumping.

You might try making sure you have really good health insurance first.
Trampolines are really dangerous. Not recommended.

You can try getting him one of those battery powered kid cars or better yet,
a pedal-powered mini tractor. A bunch of kids like them.

You might do something special, like going to a movie or the circus or
something like that.

Or, get him one of those big wooden play sets (play structures) with the
swings and little house and sandbox. Really cool.

Jeff

> Some kids really like a kid's (read "sturdy") CD or tape player. Mine
> never were really into it.
>
> My two cents,
> --Beth Kevles
>
> http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
> Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
> advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.
>
> NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
> like me to reply.

[Donna Metler]

A good set of Kids musical instruments (LP has several "playpaks" under the
Kindermusik and Lynn Kleiner names which are really good for this age
group), if you can stand it. The Lynn Kleiner ones can come with an audio
CD, video, or DVD of music activities.

--
Donna DeVore Metler
Orff Music Specialist/Band/Choir
Mother to Angel Brian Anthony 1/1/2002, 22 weeks, severe PE/HELLP
And Allison Joy, 11/26/04 (35 weeks, PIH, Pre-term labor)

[Beth Kevles]

I don't think the mini-trampolines such as I described are dangerous.
At least, no more dangerous than jumping on a bed. With only 3 feet in
diameter you don't get the enormous bounce of an adult trampoline (and
the 3 feet includes the edge area -- the bounce area is smaller) and at
only 4 inches above the ground, falling isn't a huge issue. The small
diameter also means you can't do the tricks that ARE inherently
dangerous -- all you can really do is jump up and down.

I do agree that standard trampolines are QUITE dangerous. Our kids are
only allowed to use those in the context of a gymnastics class, and I
make sure the instructor is competent, too.

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

[toto]

On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 21:22:35 -0500, "Jeff" >
wrote:

>alt.aus.parents newsgorup deleted - I don;'t get it here.

Won't matter, your post would still go their if you left it in the
headers and the OP x-posted for a reason. She may be
reading from the aussie group.


--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits

[enigma]

"Jeff" > wrote in
:

> "Beth Kevles" > wrote in message
> ...
>> A mini-trampoline such as you can get at a sporting goods
>> store for about US$30. Round, about 3 feet in diameter,
>> stand about 4 inches up from the ground. Has rubber on
>> the feet so can be used indoors. Good for keeping the
>> jumping OFF the bed ... Can be gotten with a detachable
>> bar to hold onto while jumping.
>
> You might try making sure you have really good health
> insurance first. Trampolines are really dangerous. Not
> recommended.

a mini trampolene is no more dangerous than jumping on the
bed or couch. they are *highly* recommended for kids with SID
that are sensory seekers because they save the furniture (if
you care about that sort of thing. we specificly bought a
couch that can be jumped on or the cushions can be used for
forts). we also have a swing attached to a ceiling beam...
i agree that full size outdoor trampolenes can be dangerous,
but that's not what was suggested.
lee
BTW, Boo's mini tramp spends a lot of time upside down being
used as a spaceship ;)

[shinypenny]

enigma wrote:
> a mini trampolene is no more dangerous than jumping on the
> bed or couch. they are *highly* recommended for kids with SID
> that are sensory seekers

What is SID?

jen

[dragon]

Anything Playmobil. Great stuff. Not all of it would be appropriate
for a four year old, but some of the kits would be fine. My DS has
played happily for *hours* with his pirate ship. Gonna get more for
his next birthday!

dragon

[Clisby]

Jeff wrote:

>>
>>A mini-trampoline such as you can get at a sporting goods store for
>>about US$30. Round, about 3 feet in diameter, stand about 4 inches up
>>from the ground. Has rubber on the feet so can be used indoors. Good
>>for keeping the jumping OFF the bed ... Can be gotten with a detachable
>>bar to hold onto while jumping.
>
>
> You might try making sure you have really good health insurance first.
> Trampolines are really dangerous. Not recommended.
>
>

I'm having a hard time believing those little mini-trampolines are
particularly dangerous. My kids' preschool had one, and I can't see
where it would present any special hazard - at least, no more hazard
than life in general to a brash 4-year-old.

Clisby

[shinypenny]

Clisby wrote:
> I'm having a hard time believing those little mini-trampolines are
> particularly dangerous. My kids' preschool had one, and I can't see

> where it would present any special hazard - at least, no more hazard
> than life in general to a brash 4-year-old.

We were at a bday party last night. The family has one and their three
kids, ages 2, 5 and 7 were having a field day jumping on it. It did
look relatively safe *except* that they had it located in a crowded,
messy toy room. The kids would be jumping away, and fall off or jump
off, and land squarely on a toy on the floor - OUCH. A few times they
would land backward precariously close to cracking their head on a
corner of the kiddie table or book shelf, and I also worried that
they'd torpedo themselves into the t.v. set, which was less than 3 feet
away from the trampoline.

This is an obvious suggestion, but if you are going to have one of
these things, I would suggest keeping it in an area completely clear of
toys and furniture, perhaps a 3-feet minimum circle of clearance around
the trampoline. Outside would be ideal. I think most toy rooms or
living rooms probably are inappropriate, unless you have a really large
room with little furniture.

And no, I didn't speak up about this hazard - I know the mom well
enough that she'd be offended if I did.

jen

[enigma]

"shinypenny" > wrote in
oups.com:

>
> enigma wrote:
>> a mini trampolene is no more dangerous than jumping on
>> the
>> bed or couch. they are *highly* recommended for kids with
>> SID that are sensory seekers
>
> What is SID?

in this case, Sensory Integration Disorder (also known as
DSI, Dysfunction in Sensory Integration). there are sensory
seekers, sensory avoiders & many that have a combo of both
types. the 'red flags' of SID are unusual responses to
tactile, vestibular &/or proprioceptive sensations. Boo
seeks a lot of movement (vestibular stimulation), so
bouncing, swinging & spinning are good ways to calm him
down. he is, however, very sensitive to noise, so he wears
ear protectors when i vacuum or run the blender, or when he
rides on the tractor with daddy.
lee

[Clisby]

shinypenny wrote:
> Clisby wrote:
>

>
> This is an obvious suggestion, but if you are going to have one of
> these things, I would suggest keeping it in an area completely clear of
> toys and furniture, perhaps a 3-feet minimum circle of clearance around
> the trampoline. Outside would be ideal. I think most toy rooms or
> living rooms probably are inappropriate, unless you have a really large
> room with little furniture.
>

I agree with that - having it outside, where a child who falls would
land on grass/dirt/mulch would be the best. In my children's preschool,
it was used only in a huge central room where they would've fallen on a
carpeted floor (plenty of clearance around them), but most homes
probably wouldn't have that setup.

As a child, I loved playing on big trampolines; I would guess that one
of the dangers with those is that you can get several kids on at once.
So in addition to the danger of being propelled far and fast by your own
bouncing, there's also the danger of midair collisions between children.



Clisby

[Barbara]

Chookie wrote:
> I've been a bit busy lately, and haven't come across anything that
makes me
> think, "Yes!! DS would love that!!"
>
> His birthday is next Sunday. Anyone got any ideas for a good
present?
>
> --
> Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
> (Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)
>
Wooden blocks. I've never met a 4 year old who didn't feel like he
could use a few more wooden blocks. Some of the fancy shapes, like
turrets, would make a nice birthday gift.

Bristle blocks or duplo. Ditto.

Pop-up tent, if you have the room.

Anything Buzz Lightyear or Thomas the Tank Engine.

Balls. Footballs. Soccer balls (which I suppose would be footballs in
Australia). Basketballs. Wiffle balls. Bouncing balls. Any kind of
balls.

Puzzles.

Check out LeapFrog products -- they have quite a few that almost any 4
year old would covet.

Playmobil or Imaginext sets.

Electronic keyboard.

Barbara

[Nikki]

Chookie wrote:
> I've been a bit busy lately, and haven't come across anything that
> makes me think, "Yes!! DS would love that!!"
>
> His birthday is next Sunday. Anyone got any ideas for a good present?


Luke will be 4 next month. He would love one of those mini trampolines so I
think I'll get him one of those.

Other things he really likes:

Balls
Kid basket ball hoop
Remote control car we've had since Christmas of 2004 and was neglected for
over a year - suddenly a big hit.
Kid piano
Tent w/sleeping bag
Bike
Puzzles

Oops, gotta run!
--
Nikki

[A & L Lane]

"Nikki" > wrote in message
...
> Chookie wrote:
> > I've been a bit busy lately, and haven't come across anything that
> > makes me think, "Yes!! DS would love that!!"
> >
> > His birthday is next Sunday. Anyone got any ideas for a good present?
>
>
> Luke will be 4 next month. He would love one of those mini trampolines so
I
> think I'll get him one of those.
>
> Other things he really likes:
>
> Balls
> Kid basket ball hoop
> Remote control car we've had since Christmas of 2004 and was neglected for
> over a year - suddenly a big hit.
> Kid piano
> Tent w/sleeping bag
> Bike
> Puzzles
>
> Oops, gotta run!
> --
> Nikki
>
>

I never have trouble buying for Patrick - 8 in July as since from about age
3, anything train related is guaranteed to be loved and played with to
death. So for 4 year old like that, my standard present would be more
tracks, another train or something similar. But while Angus (just turned 3)
likes trains he is not obsessed with them like Patrick and I have lots of
trouble buying things for him. I will be remembering some of these
suggestions for his next Christmas and birthday. Lego is good from this
age - the 4+ range. Play tent - the pop-up type that can use indoors?

cheers
Leah

[Mamma Mia]

"michelle downunder" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 05 Mar 2005 11:10:03 +1100, Chookie
> >
> wrote:
>
>>His birthday is next Sunday. Anyone got any ideas for a good present?
>
> Matthew loves his powertouch board, he also loves the soccer goal set i
> got from
> the early learning centre.
>
> and the spiderman mask and glvoes/
>

i love those spiderman gloves, they are cool. The kids like them too. I
was goign to add superhero anything, can never fail with books IMHO and
yeah, those pop up cubbies are not dear and hours of fun

c


> Michelle
>
> --
> If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
> perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
> Let him step to the music he hears, however measured
> or far away.
>
> - Henry David Thoreau

[Nikki]

A & L Lane wrote:

> Play tent - the pop-up type that can use indoors?


I did have one of them that I purchased for Hunter. No floor or anything.
It was great fun. The boys' grandma got them an actual little camping tent
w/floor and a kid size sleeping bag...and I think it came with a tiny chair.
It was sold in one box in the camping section. It is a bit bigger (but
still fits in the house) but sturdier and can be staked out to use outside
which is a bonus for us. They wanted to take the other outside from time to
time but even a small breeze would blow it down/over.

I'm also going to make or buy Luke a super hero cape. I think he'll love
that!

--
Nikki

[Chookie]

In article . com>,
"Barbara" > wrote:

> Wooden blocks. I've never met a 4 year old who didn't feel like he
> could use a few more wooden blocks. Some of the fancy shapes, like
> turrets, would make a nice birthday gift.

I'll keep an eye out for the fancy shapes.

> Bristle blocks or duplo. Ditto.

I ended up buying Duplo as it was 20% off at Target. And thanks to all who
made suggestions!

> Pop-up tent, if you have the room.

He has a little tent from Ikea

> Anything Buzz Lightyear or Thomas the Tank Engine.

Yep -- he's getting some track and a tunnel from the ILs.

> Balls. Footballs. Soccer balls (which I suppose would be footballs in
> Australia). Basketballs. Wiffle balls. Bouncing balls. Any kind of
> balls.

LOL! We play soccer as well as Rugby League, Rugby Union, and Australian
Rules football here. I think each one has a different ball!

> Puzzles.
>
> Check out LeapFrog products -- they have quite a few that almost any 4
> year old would covet.
>
> Playmobil or Imaginext sets.

They seem terribly expensive!

> Electronic keyboard.

That might be for Christmas as DS is learning music.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"In Melbourne there is plenty of vigour and eagerness, but there is
nothing worth being eager or vigorous about."
Francis Adams, The Australians, 1893.

[Nikki]

Chookie wrote:

>> Playmobil or Imaginext sets.
>
> They seem terribly expensive!


And some kids just don't get it/aren't in to it. Luke might like something
like that but they are kind of spendy and I'm waiting until he is 5 and can
tell me better - and take care of it better. I don't think he is old enough
although I can believe some 4yo are :-) Hunter couldn't be less interested!
--
Nikki

[Irene]

Jeff wrote:
>
> You can try getting him one of those battery powered kid cars or
better yet,
> a pedal-powered mini tractor. A bunch of kids like them.
>
Personally, I hate those things. A bunch of my neighbors have them.
The kids don't get any exercise when they are in them, and I think they
are rather dangerous (tho I'm not sure if they are really any more
dangerous than bikes). Also, the batteries don't last very long, so if
you go far from the house, you have to drag it back (as reported by
parents on my block).

Irene

who hasn't figured out what ds is getting for his 4th yet - but I have
until July!

[hobbes]

"Nikki" > wrote in message
...

> I'm also going to make or buy Luke a super hero cape. I think he'll love
> that!

Oh, my mom made both my kids capes for Christmas. DS loves his. Superheroes
are great things at this age! And it's such a relief to not be
safety-pinning a beach towel around his neck anymore! I recommend finding
something with velcro so he can put it on and take it off by himself.

--
Jodi
SAHM to Oliver (4 years)
and Arwen (22 months)

[Caledonia]

Nikki wrote:
> A & L Lane wrote:
>
> > Play tent - the pop-up type that can use indoors?
>
>
> I did have one of them that I purchased for Hunter. No floor or
anything.
> It was great fun. The boys' grandma got them an actual little
camping tent
> w/floor and a kid size sleeping bag...and I think it came with a tiny
chair.
> It was sold in one box in the camping section. It is a bit bigger
(but
> still fits in the house) but sturdier and can be staked out to use
outside
> which is a bonus for us. They wanted to take the other outside from
time to
> time but even a small breeze would blow it down/over.
>
> I'm also going to make or buy Luke a super hero cape. I think he'll
love
> that!
>
> --
> Nikki

I second the play tent -- we got one at Target ($19.99), includes tent,
sleeping bag, chair, flashlight. Most beloved of all gifts, used daily
by children and cats. Looks absolutely horrible in the center of the
living room, where it's been up for, oh, about a year.

Caledonia