Gift for 9 yr old boy?

I'd like suggestions on good gift items (toys) (in the $50 range, or adding
up to it) for a 9 yr old boy. This is for an angel tree, so it really needs
to be something with long-term play value w/o requiring replacing batteries
or buying new parts/accessories regularly.

--
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)

Donna Metler wrote:

I'd like suggestions on good gift items (toys) (in the $50 range, or adding
up to it) for a 9 yr old boy. This is for an angel tree, so it really needs
to be something with long-term play value w/o requiring replacing batteries
or buying new parts/accessories regularly.

- Lego
- YuGiOh cards ($50 could get a reasonable deck going with some
decent choices)
- skateboard/scooter/that sort of thing

My 9yo son informs me that most of his friends
just play things with batteries ;-)

Best wishes,
Ericka

In article , Ericka Kammerer says...

Donna Metler wrote:

I'd like suggestions on good gift items (toys) (in the $50 range, or adding
up to it) for a 9 yr old boy. This is for an angel tree, so it really needs
to be something with long-term play value w/o requiring replacing batteries
or buying new parts/accessories regularly.

- Lego
- YuGiOh cards ($50 could get a reasonable deck going with some
decent choices)
- skateboard/scooter/that sort of thing

Y'know, up here in the cooooold and snoooow and where it's too sliiiipeeery, and
stuff, for MONTHS, I wish folks would hold off on the skateboards and scooters
for Xmas and wait for a, um, warmer occasion.

A nine year old gets pretty frustrated getting stuff he can't play with for
months or get yelled at trying to play with it a little in the house.

Depending on where said 9 year old lives, of course.

Cheers,
Banty

legos
skateboard, adjustable rollerblades
yugioh cards and other yugioh stuff
board games, chess set
Rush Hour game

and yeah, stuff that uses batteries is still at the top of the list.

--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.

On 6 Dec 2004 12:59:13 -0800, Banty
scribbled:

Y'know, up here in the cooooold and snoooow and where it's too sliiiipeeery, and
stuff, for MONTHS, I wish folks would hold off on the skateboards and scooters
for Xmas and wait for a, um, warmer occasion.

A nine year old gets pretty frustrated getting stuff he can't play with for
months or get yelled at trying to play with it a little in the house.

Yep, one of the reasons I didn't like giving my ds a bicycle on his
birthday in mid-January. Bummer to have it stored in the basement
until Late March or even April!

If it's in place with lots of snow, how about a sled or kid's
snowboard thingy?

Nan

Banty wrote:

Y'know, up here in the cooooold and snoooow and where it's too sliiiipeeery, and
stuff, for MONTHS, I wish folks would hold off on the skateboards and scooters
for Xmas and wait for a, um, warmer occasion.

A nine year old gets pretty frustrated getting stuff he can't play with for
months or get yelled at trying to play with it a little in the house.

Depending on where said 9 year old lives, of course.

Very true. We're usually okay with such things around
Christmas, but lots of places wouldn't be.

Best wishes,
Ericka

Well, I agree that when the choice is *shall I give my child a bicycle
in December, or hold off until the spring,* the spring is a better
choice. OTOH, if the choice is *shall I give this child a scooter now,
or he may never have another chance to have one,* then I say go for the
scooter. Just don't forget to include a helmet.

Other ideas ...

* Yugi-Oh is still popular at that age, but its moving towards Magic
Cards, I believe.
* Board games like Battleship, Monopoly, Life and Clue
* Baseball glove. They're not cheap, and One uses his several times a
week, year round.

I wouldn't do an expensive Lego set. They're very cool, but once
they're together, well, its just Lego. You might want to throw in a
Bionicle with other gifts if you come in under $50.

Barbara

Donna Metler wrote in :

Are there any specific lego sets which are more popular/good with this age
group now? I'm assuming he probably wouldn't be as happy with the "big
bucket o' bricks" which I often give to younger children as the more
specialty sets.

It's so much easier to shop for a child you don't know when they're
little!

Most lego sets (over here) have an age range on them, which varies from
"4+", up to "9+". (Actually there are some with even older ranges.)
If you look on the shelves, some of them come as part of a range
(eg Alpha Team, Orient Epedition). If you get a fairly self-contained
set, which contains a minifig (person) or two, it doesn't matter
whether they have other lego or not. My son liked Alpha Team and
Orient Expedition.

--
Penny Gaines
UK mum to three