Present for 5 year old- Friend from School

[bdoody11]

DD was invited to a b-day party in few weeks for a boy from school. He will be turning 5. Since this a friend of school who we don't really know him personally, I don't have much to go on. What would be a good/reasonably priced gift that would be generally enjoyed by boys of that age?

I have a very girly girl with another one on the way and am completely clueless about what boys like. Help!

[lotusdebi]

Boys that age often love Hot Wheels/ Matchbox cars and tracks!

[Alyantavid]

puzzles, books, legos, Hot Wheels

[averlee]

Books are always good presents. I often go to the cool used bookstore in my neighborhood, and pick about 5 offbeat picture books in good condition, for less than $15. Add to that a cool art toy- maybe a paint-with water book or a Color Wonder set- and it's a gift fit for any kid.

[LuckyMommaToo]

I agree with Legos, books and puzzles. FWIW, I know a lot of boys that age who aren't very into art (including my own), so I would skip the art stuff for a boy that age unless you know it's one of his interests.

Stomp rockets are also a good choice.
-e

[Autumn Breeze]

I actually let my kid pick out the few gifts he gave while attending school.

[redpajama]

I almost always do a sketch pad with some sort of art supplies (markers, crayons, pastels, glitter glue) for such parties. I figure it's open-ended enough that you can't go wrong if you don't know the kids' interests or preferences, it gets used-up, so it doesn't create a lot of clutter, and it's not terribly expensive. I usually try to pick a "fun" sort of medium (glitter crayons, the mix-ups markers--which totally suck, by the way--something different) in hopes that perhaps it will be something they don't already have at home. But, if they *do,* no big deal--you can always use more crayons!

[34me]

We love theese http://www.klutz.com/toys/Foxtail-Sp...door%20Listing they are great for boys and girls of the elementary age

[averlee]

Originally Posted by Autumn Breeze

I actually let my kid pick out the few gifts he gave while attending school.

That can be wonderful, especially if your child is full of big ideas! My daughter once picked a crank-powered flashlight for a friend who was turning 3, it was a big hit.

[greenbeanmama]

Playdoh?

[hakeber]

DS just had his 5th and here are the best gifts:

A grabber (one of those extension grabber thingies...he loves this!)

A human powered flashlight (the ones you have to pump)

A lava lamp (great night light I have to say)

An encycolpedia on Dinosaurs (he adores this!)

A make your own planetarium kit

Hotwheels

Thomas the Tank little golden book

Several TTT&F engines and track bits

He is not really into the legos and he got a wee kit (which I highly suspect came out of a Burger King kids meal, but whatever)...the pieces have scattered to the four winds destined to find the tender inner sole of my husband's foot one dark night when ds cries out for water or something. He also got playdoh and when I discover the parent who gave my child this without telling me I will send them my carpet cleaning bill. (they don't do gift opening time here, the kids just open as the guests arrive, and ds was given this gem by one of the guests as I was preparing the snacks and before you can say "Steam cleaner" all three tubs had been dumped and mashed into his carpet and his quilt into an unrecognizable smear of salty neon artsiness)....not my favorite gift as the mom.

I for one do not think you could go wrong with a good book or things with wheels.

[NicaG]

Most of the 5-year-olds at ds's preschool seem to have outgrown matchbox cars.

There are a lot of nice Lego sets for around $12. Playmobil sets are fun too. What about some outdoor toys for summer--fancy sidewalk chalk, pool toys,etc.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by 34me

We love theese http://www.klutz.com/toys/Foxtail-Sp...door%20Listing they are great for boys and girls of the elementary age

We also look at Klutz books, legos, art supplies, "tools" (flashlights, etc...), books (if we know the child).

[eepster]

I stick to books and puzzles. I always ask DS what the child s into and have him help me pick out the book or puzzle. For example DS told me one little girl from school loves ladybugs, so we got her Ladybug Girl and a ladybug book that was on the bargain table. DS said another school friend loved dinosaurs, so we got him a dinosaur floor puzzle and a book.

[leighi123]

If I dont give handmade gifts, I usually go with books (and include a gift reciept)

[LaughingHyena]

The wind up torches my kids got for Christmas have been a big hit, no more hunting for batteries

Bug viewers, magnifying glasses, binoculars etc have also been popular.

This time of year I often go for outdoor toys. DD (5) loves her "tin can" stilts.I haven;t braved the stomp rocket yet as I'm sure it will end up in the neighbours garden pretty quickly.

[LaughingHyena]

The wind up torches my kids got for Christmas have been a big hit, no more hunting for batteries

Bug viewers, magnifying glasses, binoculars etc have also been popular.

This time of year I often go for outdoor toys. DD (5) loves her "tin can" stilts. I haven;t braved the stomp rocket yet as I'm sure it will end up in the neighbours garden pretty quickly.

[BAU3]

The last party my ds went to I got a lunch bag and water bottle from the Life is Good store... i figured even if he didn't "like" it... it would be practicle and usable.. turned out he loved it. Zhu zhu(sp?) pets, those little hampster things, are usually a big hit... as well as a variety of small items. hot,wheels,playdo, small notebooks and pencils etc..

[Mrs. Bratton]

I find that legos and craft stuff (color wonder stuff by crayola, etc) are good. They aren't noisy or obnoxious and encourage creativity. I always go w/ that for kids I dont know well.

[Three~Little~Birds]

My son (now 6) loves this:

http://www.klutz.com/Chicken-Socks/S...ocks%20Listing