Need a four-year-old boy gift

[LuckyMommaToo]

He's into gardening, cooking and outside play. Already has stomp rockets. And the party is this weekend, so unfortunately that probably means etsy is out. Target, TRU or Amazon prime.

Any ideas? I've got nothing, and I hate shopping without a plan.
thanks,
-e

[zinemama]

A simple Lego kit. Something from the City collection. They have them at Target.

Or, a mini-muffin pan (one of the ones with 6 mini muffins) plus a "mix" (you mix up the dry ingredients for muffins, include instructions for baking, put in a nice glass jar)

[LynnS6]

Legos
Basic board games or card games (Uno, Zingo, Cranium Hullabaloo or Cariboo)
Matchbox trucks (they sell some 'sets' that come with like a fire station or 'roads' for about $10-$15)
Gardening equipment - rakes, shovels, little lawn chair

[Katielady]

LOL, I saw this in new posts and jumped in here planning to be all, "STOMP ROCKET!" and then I was like "DOH!"

hehehe.

Anyway, I like this site for its lists of toys sorted by age:
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/toy...op_picks_4.cfm

(That's where I found out about the stomp rockets to begin with. )

I find stuff there, then order from Amazon, since it's easier. good luck!

[Just1More]

erector set?

one of those jiffy seed trays and a package of seeds, gloves, and a trowel?

[4evermom]

Marble run? I like the translucent plastic kind. They stay together better than the wood ones. They are easier for a younger kid to put together by himself. And it's nice being able to see the marbles as they go down rather than having just pop in and out of sight.

[LuckyMommaToo]

I like the marble run idea, but can I really get one for under $20? He is not into games at all, apparently. Also gets frustrated really easily, so I think Legos are not a good match.

I'm usually all on top of gift ideas, but he's tough! Maybe gardening stuff. He's one of three kids, so I feel like his mom probably has a mini-muffin pan already.

Hmmm....maybe a bug house? Rolie polies are starting to come out again...
-e

[artgoddess]

bug collecting/keeping kit thing? Gah, let me do a google search I can't think of what they are called.

Something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Insect-Explora.../dp/B001FY2VDO

[sdbeachy]

You could hit the thrift stores and put together a set of kid size cooking tools -- mini whisk, little spoons, small pans, etc. Maybe add a set of small cloth napkins or something.

If he already has enough of these, my universal kid gift: A flashlight. Pick a nice safe one of course.

[LuckyMommaToo]

Oh, flashlight might be good! Thanks.

[LaughingHyena]

Mine both got wind up torches for Christmas and they have been a big hit, they have taken them to bed most nights and played a lot of camping. Best of all I've never had to find batteries for them.

Anything for "exploring" also seems to be popular at the moment. A magnifying glass would be good and DD loves her binoculars. We also got a bug viewer for Christmas but we haven't found any bugs yet. To cold out.

DD is off to a party at the weekend and we've got a DVD and some microwave popcorn.

[misstorri]

Someone bought my 4yo a stamp set and he loves it! He uses his stamps to do his thank you notes.

[mainemommy1]

PLaymobil? I just got a birthday gift for a 4 year old boy at Target-Playmobil Fire helicopter. It was $10. My son has it and he likes it as well. Also, Hullaballo is a great game-more of a movement game-not a board game. Toys R Us sells their brand marble run for $20. My son has it and it has held up great and gets played with A LOT! He can build his own marbles runs without a problem.

[4evermom]

This marble run is $22 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Quercetti-45-P...6942581&sr=1-3

A flashlight is a great idea, too. Small Legos are a bit tricky for most 4 yos. My ds liked rubber stamps, too. We'd use them with playdough sometimes, not just with ink and paper.

[zoebugsmom]

A bug cathing kit with binoculars was a big hit here. Also, boys that age tend to be getting into superheroes so any thing superhero related is good. My 4 yo is mad for Batman & Spiderman. Dinosaurs, paints/sidewalk chalk/other craft stuff is always good.

[Katielady]

Originally Posted by zoebugsmom

A bug cathing kit

teehee! now that would be a way to practice your fine motor skills.

[One_Girl]

Legos and K-nex are fun for kids. Some toy cars, a toy tractor, or a toy wheelbarrow are also good indoor/outdoor gifts.

[RoundAbout]

If he gets frustrated easily I wouldn't necessarily get a marble run. My 3 yo DS loves his, but its definitely not something he can put together on his own (at least not without a lot of frustration). We are also holding back on legos for the same reason.

Things I've bought, or am thinking of for my son at less than $25:

Set of Automoblox minis
The Plan wooden tea set
Play-doh ice cream maker
Dado building squares
Water/sand wheel for beach or sand and water table
A small carry bag filled with flashlight, keys, and old cell phone.

I definitely second the idea of a wind-up flashlight. My son enjoys both the winding and the light and it doesn't need battery replacement every time he forgets to turn it off.

[Marimami]

What about one of the kits from Dunecraft: http://www.dunecraft.com/products.htm

I did a quick Amazon search and a bunch of them are available with Prime shipping.

Holli

[eepster]

Wheelbarrow. DS, who is 4yo, uses his all the time.

http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-40...7000147&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/American-Plast...7000147&sr=8-9

We got DS's at Sear's hardware late year for around $5.