MommyX8 Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I need ideas for Christmas gifts for my 6, 8 and 9 year olds. I'm so done with the electronic thing so I am thinking along educational lines. I need some fun and popular ideas. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtb1999 Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 You can't go wrong with Legos for building sets. Lincoln logs and Tinkertoys are also a big hit. Gears are pretty neat. Those Pixos things look pretty neat, but after the aqua dots recall last year I'm a little wary, yk? My ds2 wants that Paperoni craft set they show on TV. Tuesday Morning stores, as well as places like TJ Maxx and Ross always have really cool craft and science kits that are really reasonably priced. If you have a Rainbow Resource phonebook, er, catalog;) they have lots of neat stuff in there, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I'm doing the same thing as you this year....nothing that makes noises, takes batteries, or is electronic. DD5 is my crafty, artistic, science girl. Here's a few things I'm getting for her: Lab in a Bag (there's several different ones you can get): http://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-Lab-Bag-Wonders/dp/B000E0DYOU Gel Ant Farm: http://www.amazon.com/Fascinations-ANTW2-Antworks-Illuminated/dp/B000F6F8CY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260124959&sr=1-2-spell Big box filled with tape, coloring books, paints, crafts from Michaels, etc. Crayola Masterworks Case (not paying that price, got it at Toys R Us for $25): http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-200-Piece-Masterworks-Art-Case/dp/B000UKNR50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260125007&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in AZ Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Last year, we gave my dd a Year of the Dollhouse gift certificate and each month we worked on redecorating a room. We've both really enjoyed the gift. :) This year, my ds is getting a Year of Building gift certificate along with Steven Caney's Ultimate Building Book. Each month we'll buy ds the supplies for a project from the book. My dd and I will be felt sewing this year (which will be new for me too). Here's more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 They're getting Lincoln logs this year, a Tinkertoy set I haven't bought yet, and probably more duplo (not quite old enough for legos) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Lego. All the way. Mega-blocks for tots, Lego Duplo for preschoolers, and Lego for the big kids. I've never been disappointed in their reaction to these, and they get tons of use. (In fact, my three oldest are in the other room building a lego city on the train table at this very moment). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 To me, these building sets are the best for mechanically-oriented children because many of the technologies used for attachment, etc., match those used in the real world. The biggest issue with FischerTechnik is that they have never really been overly successful marketing their products in the US. As such, it has sometimes been a challenge to find them. I suggest that you Google 'FischerTechnik' and go from there. We haven't bought any for several years since we have practically everything they've made. The kids still build the models and learn a lot from them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 My fellow has never taken to legos. He like zoobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisperry Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Magnatiles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 My 8yos recently had a blast building an incredibly sturdy wooden Tonka truck he received as a gift exchange. He also liked receiving a bucket of nails and a tool set w/ a pile of scrap wood for his 7th b-day last year. lotsa birdhouses, lol! I second legos. playdough is a blast too, even at my age ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Erector set. My kid brother had on in the '60s and I was so jealous (and not allowed to touch it, either.) Knex would be the more modern equivalent, I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I'm dying to get the girls Keva planks, but I don't know how much they'd appreciate them versus the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I'm dying to get the girls Keva planks, but I don't know how much they'd appreciate them versus the cost. I bought Cityblocks from Amazon. They look the same as Keva but much less of a cost. I also bought a little erector set, bag of marbles with game instructions, marshmallow shooters, battleship, and a Build-A-Bear gift cert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 To me, these building sets are the best for mechanically-oriented children because many of the technologies used for attachment, etc., match those used in the real world. The biggest issue with FischerTechnik is that they have never really been overly successful marketing their products in the US. As such, it has sometimes been a challenge to find them. build the models and learn a lot We really like fischertechnik, too. Timberdoodle has a decent selection of their kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Kapla blocks. I think they're similar to the Keva planks another poster mentioned. They're one of the toys I keep down and always handy. (Almost everything else goes up high.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 My girls aren't terribly draw to building sets, but they love this one: http://www.rainbowresource.com/pictures/036681/1260165783-2047195 It's cheap, easy to build big,& quick clean up it would make a good gift to give along with an audio book. The two are fun to do together. For crafty stuff, I love this place: http://www.achildsdream.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Fairy Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 My future engineer loves his Snap Circuits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Our kids decided they wanted to learn to knit and crochet, after seeing one of the moms doing so during gymnastics class. I bought a book or two, yarn, and needles/hooks, and let them have at it. They even sparked interest among some of the other kids at gymnastics, and started teaching them how to do it too. Our library has a knit club too, with members of all ages, so it's been a nice way for them to be involved and have their own hobby. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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