My kids were until a few months ago the only grandchildren on both sides of the family, so unsurprisingly they have way too many toys already (no fault of ours!). So I’m a bit at a loss for what to get them this Christmas. They don’t really have a wish-list (aside from art supplies, and my little guy wants more trucks), but obviously we’d still like to find them something they’d love.
I’m not interested in any toy that beeps, talks, lights up, or otherwise drives parents insane. I’m not interested in what’s trendy or ties in with a tv show or purports to be a learning toy. I’m just wondering for the following age groups what toy or other item your child *plays with* the most? Not the one that cost the most or that they were most excited to get at first or that they’re asking for, but the one that they truly love and keep on using month after month?
I’m looking for a 9-year-old, 7-year-old, 5-year-old, and 3-year-old. They’re girl-boy-girl-boy, but the girls are pretty tomboyish and the boys are pretty flexible in what they play with, too.
Thanks for your input!
I know 9-year-olds are pretty much past playing too much with toys per se … it doesn’t have to be a toy so much as something that your kid really loves.
they would love a pet, but can’t because of allergies and asthma (and parental overload … there are enough living things in this house already!)
okay i apparently missed all the troll/dog drama and am really not trying to be a forum for trolls here. talk about so high school….
thanks to the people giving actual help….
Comments
buy them a dog.
there are heaps on here
My 7 year old (boy) really likes to read and do puzzles, so he will be getting some of those. My 6 year old (girl) really likes dress up, barbie, my little pony. Those are all pretty inexpensive too, which is a plus for me. You can buy barbies for less than 10 bucks, 5 if you catch a good sale. My 5 year old (boy) really likes the backyardigans, so I will be searching for some backyardigan stuff that isn’t too babyish. They all like music and movies, so they will be getting dvds and cds. I also like to buy those Color Wonder markers and books by Crayola, because they like to color and that way I don’t have to worry about anyone ruining anything. Those are also great for taking on road trips, which we do about 3 a year, so those come in handy. My kids will also all be getting new comforters/sheets/room decor items this year as well. They will be getting transition items that will last a long time, meaning getting rid of babyish decorations and getting big boy/big girl room decor.
**Edit - oh, I forgot, my kids are also asking for pogo sticks and/or moon shoes this year. I haven’t decided on that yet, because I need to do a little more research and see how many broken bones I may have to pay for as a result of that gift.
If you have the room buy a ball pit. My little guy loves his and though the balls tend to scatter it’s something kids never seem to get tired of.
I have an 8 year old little sister. What she’s really into right now is girly things like, purses, fake make-up, and nice clothes.
I have a 3 year old (she’s a girl). Right now she really likes blocks, letters, things that she can organize, and she loves to color…umm what else….riding toys.
My daughter is nearly 5 she has just started to show an interest in puzzles.
I also have another daughter who is nearly 7 and she hasn’t really asked for much so I have bought her play mobil stuff but as you don’t like noisy toys they are out.
Also bought play doh cutters other stuff to use with our home made play doh.
My girls are HSM crazy as i’m in the UK HSM3 has just come out so they have underwear, pj’s writing drawing HSM stuff.
Also bought some games like Guess who junior monopoly to play as a family so I guess they have enough now. The baby is only 6 month so have bought her a few bit from father christmas for the girls to give. My husband say’s I spoil them but we have had a bit of a strange year I have managed to sell most of our unused stuff on Ebay store away some cash each month so I just think I’m not maxing out credit cards or raiding our savings I just love to see them open presents on christmas morning i think i get more excited then they do!!
Just to add, my children do not have relatives apart from my mum and dad that buy them presents we have no other direct family so prehaps i do over compensate a little.
kids are into music lots of gift shops on
The wii is popular good for all ages.
im upset that stores dont carry products for super why and word girl, my kids aren’t allowed to watch much, i mean they know who other characters are cause of classmates but they dont ask for those since we dont watch or play with them.
my 3.5 yr old is getting fairies tink talking cafe and an easel for drawing
my son since his bday is 22 before xmas will get 3 small things since his bday gift is big and expensive
Get trampoline or a bouncy house. It is great exercise for the kids and they will love it. Friends will love to come play with it too. You can get a bouncy house (the inflatable kind) for less than $200 at Toys r Us or Walmart. You might want to consider a bigger one though if you have the space.
Also, I know you said no noisy, talking toys but have you had any experience with the LeapPad stuff? The caterpillar would be great for your 3 year old, it teaches colors, letters and the sounds the letters make. Or the fridge magnets also teach the letters and their sounds. The actual leap pad is great for all ages too!
My 3 year old and 10 year old still play with a Doodle Pro from Fisher Price. It makes no noise and keeps them from scribbling on every piece of paper they can find. My 10 year old also likes his eyeclops and we have had a lot of fun with that. I would think it would be a toy that all age groups could enjoy. I don’t know much about the dog drama either but an aquarium might be a good pet that all of the children would enjoy that requires little maintenance. They could all pick out their own fish.
how about stuff for outside? Balls, scooters, those bouncing things you stand on?
Art and craft kits (plaster moulds, magic sand etc)
Lego (suitable to all ages)
MP3 player for the 9 year old
CD’s
marbles
bubbles
bath toys
bath crayons
bath tints
Little girl make up (my daughter loved lip gloss from age 2)
bubble bath
clothes
board games
Puzzles
farm animals(toy not real lol)
dinosaurs (my son loved these fromage4-7)
keyboard and headphones (you don’t need to hear it then lol)
dvd’s
PS2 games
play doh
cars
car track
Thomas train track (my son was obsessed with this and we added to it every Christmas and Birthday and he played with it for hours a day)
bikes
trampoline
basketball ring
table tennis
totem tennis
cheap tent to camp in back yard
well I have a 7 year old who tends to sometimes act as a 5 year old, and other times as a 9 year old, and on the off chance…a 7 year old, she can also be the biggest tomboy but her bows have to match. I also have a 14 month old..who thinks she is 2….we still have all the toys from our 7 year old, and I have alot of nieces and nephews in the 3 to 4 year range, so needless to say…we have plenty of toys for the little one, and our 7 year old is more into sports and riding her bike, and going to a friends house instead of toys, unless she’s playing with her sister….so we have opted this year to start a one big toy idea….and instead use the remaining money for a trip..this year we are going to disney world for christmas…and as a present we have decided on a trampoline with the net around it. Our 7 year old, already knows, and she is ecstatic, she has been begging for a trampoline.
You are sooooo cheating! But I will help you, having walked that mile. Plus, hey I like you.
My 9 year old (boy) has been into video games, baseball, soccer (anything where running is promoted), and more recently, cartooning. He likes a cool room and gets thrilled at cool stuff for his walls and bedding. Signs like No Girls Allowed, while frowned upon by us level headed grownups, are the living end for a 9 year old boy.
At 3, sadly enough, he liked any toy that beeps, talks, lights up, or otherwise drives parents insane.
Gina’s 6, right smack between your 5 and 7 year olds. Pet Shop things are her world. There are all kinds of little pets and playthings for them. They come with toys and houses and accessories. Kind of like a four legged Barbie. About as easy to open as a Barbie too. I’d rather get a raw egg out of a steel box wrapped in barbed wire. But it’s for the greater good right? Gina also has a huge immagination, and loves pretending, so we are getting her dress up clothes this year. This was a huge hit with our (now) 18 year old when she was the same age. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Are you handy around the house? For their birthdays Mr. Mozz made Evan a treehouse and Gina a sandbox. Another year we painted their rooms. We rag-rolled Evan’s room camoflauge pattern, and Gina’s we made stencils around the walls. Can you open this? I dont know if I did it right.
Mostly it boils down to the personality of the child. Cartooning gear is a great choice for Evan but wouldn’t be for Gina. Good luck, and pay attention when they go flying into a room to see a particular commercial!
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The dog comment is for me. I’m sorry someone else’s drama got dragged into your question. It’s inappropriate. Apparently my kids are ugly and I’m a dog. Wasn’t much more to it than that. That’s a lotta ****.
