Mamas & Papas-
DS's 4th is around the corner. We are doing a joint party with one of his classmates. The other mother tells me that parents are asking, as they often do, what DS might like. I have no clue what to suggest. The other birthday boy is a younger sib, so he's much more aware of things like spiderman, disney, board games, etc. He has a definite, and lengthy want list.
My kid isn't one to ask for any toys. Even if he were to ask, I don't know that he has enough exposure to know what he might ask for if you know what I mean.
I offered up puzzles, legos, sweatshirts and crafts. Was this a good "want" list? BTW- We live in a 900sq foot coop in NYC, so anything with a big footprint is just out of the question.
Thanks,
F. B.
Gift cards to McDonald's. They love being able to buy their own food. And this will not break families--the gift cards start at $5.
I think it's simply whatever he's into.
Don't focus on particular toys, just offer up suggestions on TYPES of toys.
My kids always liked art supplies, especially play doh and paint, and my son LOVED nerf and water guns at that age. He also loved anything he could build, legos, tinker toys, marble runs, race tracks, etc.
And he liked playing store/restaurant, building forts, and other pretend play, so things like capes, helmets, crowns and swords, basically dress up things, were always a hit.
Could he ask for gift passes to some fun experience? Like an indoor play area, the zoo, or a science museum?
Scrabble.
He might not be able to play the game for awhile, but the letters are great for working with spelling words.
Dominoes are a lot of fun too - they count the spots and match them up.
I think that's a great list. My DS was very excited about the puzzles he got for his 4th. Are there any subjects (dinosaurs, space, etc.) that he's interested in? Those could help guide the guests as well. Have a fun party!!!
I would add books too your list. And maybe board games he's old enough for games like chutes and ladders, candy land etc. I always loved games more than crafts
Sure it's a good list. Although my 4 year olds list would be different, and include mostly sports gear, especially small indoor sets to play in the winter (basketball, soccer ball, dek hockey, toy golf set, etc), anything with dinosaurs, and bey blades.
But every kid is different.
I think it's great if you just say "surprise him" but if you have philosophical objections to certain types of toys/games (weapons, violence, scary stuff because he's sensitive, etc.) then you're better off specifying. In general, I'd go for things that can be used in different ways since you are so pressed for space. So something like Legos can be used over and over as kids get older, and they can go into a storage tub without taking up too much space. "Crafts" and "puzzles" are awesome suggestions - it's great that your kid likes this stuff, and I think it's fine to avoid the commercialized wish lists generated by TV and movies. Books are great - if you can specify some topics (dinosaurs, airplanes, jungle animals), that can help. One of the things to consider (sadly) is what the reaction will be from the other kids when your child opens his gifts. If they say "Oh, BOR-ing" it can kind of set your kid up to not want to enjoy something he already would have under normal circumstances! But it sounds like your kid is a hands-on kid (puzzles, crafts) so board games are also a great thing because they encourage family time together. We spent many hours on board games with our kids - great alternatives to TV, great rainy/snowy day activities, and really good for a variety of skills (sportsmanship, cooperation, math/money, literacy, logic, etc.).
