Christmas present ideas..

[Stayseeliz]

My mom and MIL are both asking what the kids want for Christmas..I have no idea! They're both outgrowing their toys though but I don't know what to get next..

DS is 5 and DD is 2 1/2 (3 in March)

MIL is talking about getting DS a Leapster but I don't know how I feel about that. Even though it's educational it's stil a video game, you know? I can't decide..

I'd like for them to get a trampoline with a net but I don't know if MIL or my mom will go for that..

They both like to get the kids one big thing each then several little things..I'd love suggestions!

Thanks!

[4evermom]

Well, whaddaya have already ? DD would probably love a toy kitchen and accessories if you don't have one. How about anatomically correct dolls that really wet their diapers? Just make sure you get the kind that you squeeze to cause the wetting, rather than the kind that the water runs right through.

My ds is the same age and enjoys his marble run, likes legos, still uses his wooden trains but wants engines with batteries, roller skates (old fashioned 4 wheels are easier to learn on than roller blades), remote controlled anything (buy rechargable batteries). We're pretty happy with this r/c http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-v228779-~morphibian-k24-g1 because it is sturdier than most and can go in water, therefore it doesn't get damaged when ds drives it through puddles. The plasma car (riding toy, not r/c) looks cool if you have a place to use it.

[Tine]

Can't help ya w/ 5yo ideas, but we've got a 3.5yo DS, so we were in your place not long ago.

Some things DS got at that age that he loved (and still loves):
- Play kitchen w/ pretend food
- Large Little Tikes slide
- Easel (from IKEA--chalkboard on one side and white board on other, with dowel for paper roll), along with lots of paper, paints, markers, crayons, magnets, and chalk
- Cars, cars, cars
- Train table (we got one free from friends, but if someone wants to give you a nice gift, a new wooden train set would be lovely!)
- Blocks

FWIW, we've gotten into the habit of buying our Xmas/bday gifts for DS from the For Small Hands catalog. It's a fundraiser for his Montessori school, but even if it weren't we'd probably still get this kind of stuff for him. Lots of neat ideas here: http://www.forsmallhands.com

[kennedy444]

My dd2 loves her play kitchen and food; baby doll and stroller, playground balls, handheld musical instruments, playsilks, simple puzzles, shape sorter, simple bike she pushes with her feet (Radio Flyer), and sidewalk chalk for driveway.

For Christmas I got her a hobby horse - horse head on the stick that she can "ride" around the house, a mini microwave (nms but she loves it at our playgroup), new chalk, and the Crayola markers that only color on the special paper. I got this since she loves her sister's markers but she just isn't ready for Sharpies yet :

For your son I suggest: Legos - my son loved the kits to build things then he would play for hours,
a pogo stick and / or sports things for outside,
knee hockey for inside,
wooden car craft kit - fairly easy to build on own then can be painted,
a small kid safe for storing "valuables" (we have the one with the easy 3 digit puch button code)
puzzles

[kennedy444]

Originally Posted by Stayseeliz

I'd like for them to get a trampoline with a net

You might want to check with your homeowners insurance first. This was a HUGE no-no for us and others that I know.

[LynnS6]

Ds loves his bruder trucks still at age 5 1/2. He's still very into trains as well. Many of his friends love legos.

Other ideas: Playmobil toys have good play value, and are appropriate for this age.

Do they have a dollhouse?

What about a mini trampoline?

For gifts that don't take up space, you could ask for memberships to the zoo or children's museum, if there is one near where you live. Or tickets to something they might like to go to.

[mashtree]

My son asked for skis and also for swimming flippers and a snorkel. Very practical!

[Zilla]

Last year my dsd and neice were those ages. For christmas we got my 3.5 year old neice a great big Tonka dump truck becasue she is obsessed with construction. She told her momma that it was her favorite present. 3.5 is also a great age to start with dolls. Actually, both girls asked for dolls last year. Just go with their interests. Tea set never fails. As for your son, I only have girls, so I can't help much there. I would suggest things like the Tonka trucks though. Are there any craft type projects he might like? The sell the wooden model car kits that would be fine for his age. Also things like modeling clay or a paint set.

[TiredX2]

Do you already have:

Train set
Blocks set
Dress up clothes
Play silks
Art supplies
Books
?

We love our Super Fort:
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Boing-Toys...449538?ie=UTF8

It looks like it is being made by Cranium now:
http://www.amazon.com/Cranium-303050...449538?ie=UTF8

[becoming]

We're getting both kids a trampoline with net. (It's just as much for mine and DH's benefit as it is for theirs!)

DS is getting a Gameboy Advance with one game, and probably a couple of other little things. There are some games where kids really have to think, especially with Leapster. I don't think video games are always necessarily bad.

DD is getting a play kitchen and all the accessories.

[PiePie]

I am pretty severely anti-video game, but even I have to concede that Leapster games are less violent and more thoughtful than most. If you do get one, the Leapster L Max is far superior from everything I've heard (it feels like every 5 y.o. I know has one and one of the older versions). There are purely academic games and then there are character-themed ones, which seem more objectionable to me (Batman...violence....). The interactive for practicing printing and seeing it on your TV screen could be cool if your DS has trouble motivating to work on handwriting.

[lucyem]

Trampolenes are just too dangerous, I would never allow one on my property. You can look up some past threads about that on here.

The Leapster L-Max is really great. My son got his last Christmas. He turned 4 in April. I must say it was worth every penny when we find ourselves in the car or doctors office for long periods of time.