GingerPoppy Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 I'm getting a gift for a family with four boys, aged 5, 7, 9, and 12. It's supposed to be a gift that is for them as a group. The $$ amount is perhaps between $20 and $30, although there are no hard and fast rules. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a piece of "equipment" for lack of a better word. You know those toys that are used all the time because kids just want to get on them and do whatever it is they do? I'm thinking of things like a Sit and Spin, stilts, pogo stick, and so on. I'm considering making a balance board... they're too expensive to outright buy, but I'm reasonably handy. Do you think that would be fun for boys of that age range? Or would I be wasting my time? Any other ideas or votes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5wolfcubs Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 I just saw a balance board on Pinterest. It was just a decorated board w/ a pvc pipe length under it. Is that the kind of balaynce board you meant? I also saw how to make your own hula hoop here. You have to watch the video but it looks easy and fun -- either to give as "make your" kit or as completed hoops. I haven't priced the supplies yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 Yeah, that's the kind of balance board I might make. It looks like a lot of fun... might make one for myself and dd while I'm at it! I'm artsy--do you think painting it would be good idea? Maybe varnishing? Or should it be left as bare wood? Hula hoops are a great idea, too! Maybe for my dd or a birthday friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 A 3-man slingshot would be fun for boys of that age range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Mini trampoline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Another idea would be to make marshmallow shooters out of PVC pipe. There are lots of directions and videos online. They are able to shoot mini marshmallows by blowing on one of the ends. We had a lot of fun making these with friends for roughly the age range you describe. The kids decorated them with sharpie markers and later on, rearranged the PVC parts to make new configurations. Lots of running around the yard, ducking under cover, etc. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 Ooh, these are great ideas! Keep 'em coming. Curious... what's a three-man slingshot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Oh, when my boys were that age we always got them new Nerf guns. I could usually find decent, relatively inexpensive ones. They never tired of those. Another item my boys enjoyed was a tether ball. I think you should be able to get one for that price. It might involve setting your own pole, but the ball on the string is relatively inexpensive. Only 1 of my boys enjoyed the pogo stick we got-I enjoyed it, too. For all four to enjoy it, I found that it needed to be something they could all participate in or at least do in pairs. Oh, they also enjoyed street hockey played on the driveway (hockey sticks and a ball). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Ooh, these are great ideas! Keep 'em coming. Curious... what's a three-man slingshot? Here's an Amazon link to one. Basically, it's stretchy tubing w/a handle on each end and a little pocket in the middle. In the pocket, you can put water balloons or other items and fire them quite a ways. One kid holds each handle, one holds the strap on the pocket, and one can stand out in the yard trying to catch whatever is fired. Oh, when my boys were that age we always got them new Nerf guns. I could usually find decent, relatively inexpensive ones. They never tired of those. Another item my boys enjoyed was a tether ball. I think you should be able to get one for that price. It might involve setting your own pole, but the ball on the string is relatively inexpensive. Only 1 of my boys enjoyed the pogo stick we got-I enjoyed it, too. For all four to enjoy it, I found that it needed to be something they could all participate in or at least do in pairs. Oh, they also enjoyed street hockey played on the driveway (hockey sticks and a ball). Tetherball was so much fun when I was a kid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Nerf guns or water guns. You can buy packages of these where each boy would get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriseiz Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Nerf guns might be fun. I haven't played this, but it will at our house this Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Planet-46001-Hyper-Dash/dp/B000TTPEXU/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1323053959&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 If you paint the balance board, the blog with instructions suggests mixing a little sand with the paint to make it non-slip. Watching this thread for ideas... :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kht2006 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 a zip line? I'm sure I've seen instructions online somewhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Oh, yeah, we had one of those too! Lots of fun esp. if you have a large area and a couple of big trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Stomp Rockets!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Thanks, all! Lots of great ideas to ponder. I'm not sure if the mom allows guns, so the nerf gun idea may be out. It does sound fun, though. I found one more on another thread: ping pong. I know the tables are expensive, but I remember a nerf version from my childhood that we had a lot of fun with, and you set it up on a regular table. I wonder if that still exists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriseiz Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I found one more on another thread: ping pong. I know the tables are expensive, but I remember a nerf version from my childhood that we had a lot of fun with, and you set it up on a regular table. I wonder if that still exists. Ooh, I saw this yesterday and thought it looked like fun...I'll have to remember where... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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