I am having the hardest time with my 10 year old son this year. He loves to "plug in", but I just refuse for this to be a whole video game christmas. Really of his 4 gifts, 2 of them are video games, one is a "invention/circuit" kit. I need one more thing, around 10-20 dollars. And I am at a loss. Things he has mention are video games, lazer tag (which I just don't love). He has several board games, is getting a chess set from the inlaws. Got signed up for basketball from my dad, and all the stuff for that. So shoot some boy ideas this way, what did your boys ask for? Part of my problem is my kids get SOO much stuff. My inlaws over do. We try to pare down, they get three gifts from us, and one from santa and then a stocking. To top his list off he would choose another game. My dd is getting clothes and make up and one game, my youngest is getting a Bible and some small toys he has been asking for.

Anyway, if i could figure out and buy the one more gift I would be set!

By Tink on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:18 pm:

My ds's favorite birthday gift this year was a magazine subscription. We got him one for Sports Illustrated for Kids but my dd has gotten the Nickelodeon magazine and the Disney magazine and they both love looking through those. I also like it because they don't take up much space and encourage some reading. What about the spy gear that is so popular? I had a blast looking through that aisle at Toys R Us last week and wished I hadn't already reached my limit for the kids. HTH

By Yjja123 on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:19 pm:

Addison received a create/build a remote control for the TV that he loves.
Another neat kit is made by DK and can be found at the bookstore. It is called build a Mars Rover.
He also loves the books that explain how to play the playstation games.

By Pamt on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:27 pm:

My 9 y/o DS is also very into video games. We have one more gift to buy him that will not be video-related. Here's what I am mulling over: an over-the-door electronic score-keeping basketball goal (he has a no frills one now and plays a lot in his room), a small boombox, moon shoes, SI for Kids mag subscription, a some hockey puck at the Discovery STore that kind of floats/hovers when you whack it.

By Missbookworm on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:41 pm:

My oldest ds asked for model cars..would your son be into that?

I got him 3 of them.

By Yjja123 on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:00 pm:

Fogot to mention the AWESOME gears sets,
http://www.learningresources.com/SearchResults.pasp?txtSearchPhrase=gears
Check out the different sets. They can be added onto and provide hours of fun--and learning.

By Paulas on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:05 pm:

You can get some great science stuff that I am sure he will love. Like a build your own volcano set.

DS wanted a Shell Shocker this year. I got him one but am not sure if I will give it to him or take it back. I'll decide tonight or tomorrow once I go through the gifts and see what I have.

By Mommmie on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 11:36 pm:

I wanted to get my 11-year-old an erector set, but the only one I found was $100 via mail and I wanted to get it in person, thought I could find one and failed.

I agree, though that besides electronics it's hard to buy for boys of this age group. Mine is non-sports, so all sports stuff is out. He already went through the chess stage. He could probably use a bigger bike. Board games don't last and we both prefer the electronic versions of the board games so it will last longer. His friends are all getting cell phones, but he says he's not ready to keep up with one yet. I'm going to keep looking for ideas. So far it's all games and an Xbox 360.

By Kaye on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 08:19 am:

Great ideas, thanks ladies.

I guess I need to find out where my nearest discovery store is!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 08:48 am:

Kaye, they have a web site, too!

Discovery Store

I have bought a few things for my kids and ordered on-line from them. Very cool and educational toys.

By Sunny on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 08:59 am:

Flywheels
Pogo Stick
Airzooka
Comic books
Oh Yuck! The Encylcopedia of Everything Nasty

By Conni on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 10:28 am:

I didnt read all posts but I got my 12 yo an iquest learning game with some educational games. He is in 6th gr and it is designed to help him study thru the 8th grade!

Does he read? My ds put his name on a waiting list at the library 3 mos ago to read the book ELDEST... He has already read Eragon. I went ahead and bought him the book Eldest since the liabrary still hasnt called! He loves to read.

Anything to do with science is good. Telescope?! They have some nice ones!

Musical instruments? I thought about getting my ds a drum set. We just dont have the room for it right now tho. He is in Percussion right now...

By Colette on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 04:32 pm:

I didn't read all the posts either. I was having a hard time finding things for my ds too. Try going to www.klutz.com or a hobby store. I found TONS of things at the hobby store, including a little garden for his room that has all carnivorous plants - he will love it.

By Colette on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 04:33 pm:

Model rockets are another big hit w/my ds.