christmas ideas for 4.5 yr old boy

[alison77]

hey mamas, what are you getting your 4-5 year old boys for christmas? looking for some unique and creative ideas for my guy

[OakBerry]

Last year, when ds was 4, we got him a 20 gallon fish tank. He was so funny, he said "Santa brought me a glass box mama!"
Then later we took him to pick out the decorations and some fish. It's sort of an ongoing gift, getting new fish and taking care of them.

[BunnySlippers]

If he likes to dress-up then I recommend playsilks, crowns, wands, slippers.

Would he play with a play kitchen? They are fun for all ages and genders.

How about a those space monkey things. I think they are freeze dried shrimp, you add water and they come to life, or hatch or something like that.

[Ell-Bell]

Science stuff? I love the fish tank idea, too.

[alison77]

great ideas. you reminded me of another thing that i had thought about - a gel ant farm, where the ants eat through the gel to create tunnels, and it has a light underneath so it can glow. a friend of ours had that.

[midwestmeg]

Well, I personally, have always wanted one of those Plan cities! I love that stuff and you can add onto it.

Legos- those are another one of my favorites and something Grandma could find at Target.

Good art stuff! An easel + paints.

I noticed a cool 'fort' thing somewhere this season. It was 'Waldorf'ish in that it was wooden panels with material in the middle of the panel. Then the corners of the panels fit together. Oh, it was in one of my Waldorf books, if you are a DIY-er at all.

[tinasquirrel]

My boys will be 3.5yo and 5.25yo at Christmas. So, this is what we are getting them:

Board games!
Family Pastimes Harvest Time
Family Pastimes Secret Door
Family Pastimes Snowstorm
Selecta Fruttirelli

Spiel & Holz stepped counting blocks

Quadrilla Marble Run

Getting some kitchen stuff for younger DS who really likes to cook:
* Handmade felt play food (throwing away the plastic stuff)
* Plan Toys toaster
* Plan Toys breakfast menu
* Plan Toys cookware
* Plan Toys tableware

Plan Toys Creative Blocks (we already have a basic set)

And then they will each get a Leapster game, and some books/music/DVDs. In particular, I'm hoping to get older DS some "books on tape" type of thing. He has a "listening center" in his Kindy class and I think that's his favorite activity!

Can you tell that I was part of that huge Toy Co-op on the co-op board, LOL!

Oh, and I (uh, I mean the boys) would really like this, but I think we've probably already maxed out our budget. We'll see.
Bluebird Musical Tower

[hottmama]

My son's Xmas/birthday wishlist (he turns 5 in January):
an aquarium and fish (this will be his big bday gift from us)
a wooden marble run (I like the Quadrilla ones the best)
a new doll (I think we'll get one from naturalpod.com)
rollerblades
ice skates?
wooden sword
wooden boats for the bathtub
more dress-up stuff-- esp. capes to help fuel their superhero obsession
memberships to fun places
kid sized cleaning stuff (broom, mop, etc)
little wooden animals

[annekevdbroek]

We are adding another Quadrilla Marble Run. DS got one for last xmas and we want to be able to build bigger runs - so another kit is on our list.

DS is BIG into Playmobil, as are many 4 y/o from what I can gather.

Also legos, kitchen stuff, his bicycle.

[tinasquirrel]

Originally Posted by annekevdbroek

We are adding another Quadrilla Marble Run. DS got one for last xmas and we want to be able to build bigger runs - so another kit is on our list.

DS is BIG into Playmobil, as are many 4 y/o from what I can gather.

Also legos, kitchen stuff, his bicycle.

The only reason Playmobil isn't on our list is because we already have so much!! The boys have the big castle set (4th birthday gift), and it has been a hit for a long time. Playmobil guys are a good stocking stuffer. They have a lot of little ones that come with just one person in it or whatever. My boys have really enjoyed the astronaut guy and the scuba diver guy.

[mountainsun]

I would LOVE to build a set of playstands for them!! Also, a tent, a canopy for over the bed, or a special corner.

[marieangela]

So far I have gotten an acoustic guitar, a marble run, laminated animal map of the world and Ralph S. Mouse books for ds1 (he'll be 5 in Jan).

I'm going to try and find some dress-up clothes to add to his box, too.

Off the top of my head..he has expressed interest in a drum set, ant farm/bug habitat type thing, microscope, various trucks and firestation lego set.

I'll be looking for more ideas, since I have a birthday and Christmas to think about.

[tinasquirrel]

I think one of these fantasy bowers would be so fun to make.

It doesn't "seem" like it would be hard....get a hula hoop, as the base, etc. But I have a feeling that these types of things are harder than they initially appear.

I think it would be a lot of fun for a corner reading nook. Put a comfy pillow in there, etc.