Christmas Gifts for 3 1/2 Year Old Boy?

[becka]

I know it is a little early but I saw some other Christmas threads so I thought I would start my own. I actually have started buying a few things for DS but I would like to figure out a few more things to get him that he would really enjoy. I don't have to buy them now but I like to know in advance what things I am looking for so I can catch them on sale.

So far I have him:

The full Kellogg's Wobblers set
Two large 12" Power Ranger action figures (red and blue)
Imaginext T-Rex Mountain and 2 dinosaurs
Krypto the Super Dog action figure


I also plan on getting him 2 of the Geotrax pieces for his train set and probably some extra track. I want to get him the suspension bridge and the draw bridge since he loves bridges. I also want to get him the Madagascar DVD since he loved that movie.

Other than that I have been researching various electronic toys like V-smile, Leapster, Pixter, Video Now Jr., etc.. but I am not overly impressed with any of them for a kid his age. He does have a My First Leappad that he enjoys but it is starting to get a short in it and I hate to buy a new one that he will only use for maybe another year or so before he will be ready to upgrade.

Has anyone else found any really great things for toddler boys that are out right now?

 

[Pam]

What about the Playmobile sets?

DS had those when he was younger - he played with them for years and years. He had the fort, castle, pirate ships, island, etc. The nice thing about Playmobile is that you can buy add-on pieces.

 

[minkydog]

Does he have a good set of wood blocks? My DS, now19, was given a set at age 3 and it was the one toy he played with over and over. The blocks could be made into towers, bridges, jet skis(we lived in Florida ). Some of the shorter blocks were "family members." He had elaborate set-ups in his room.

He also liked doing pre-school puzzles and we never had enough of them. Homemade playdough was always a hit, too.

Do you have room for a small Kitchen set? DS had the yellow & green Little Tykes kitchen for several years. My DH about had a cow, but DS loved that thing! He "cooked" in there for hours and "washed the dishes".

Your list looks good and it may be all you want to give for this year. But consider adding in some "imagination" toys later, if he doesn't have them yet.

 

[Rachie0507]

I also have a 3 1/2 yr old boy. We aren't doing much this year for gifts because we are going to WDW in early December. But the one big gift he is getting (and sharing w/ his sister who is 5) is the new Fischer Price toy that hooks up the TV and they can watch themselves sing Karaoke to KidsBop songs. I can't remember what it is called though. I have it on Layaway at WalMart already. My kids love to perform so it is their type of thing. My DS is also really into puzzles and is starting to do some more challenging ones with out the board frame so I'll probably be getting him some of those. Good Luck!!!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

How about books on tape/CD?

DD asked for "her own headphones" this year. So we are getting her a CD/tape player and some books on tape/CD.

Does he have many board games? DD likes Memory and Go Fish.

 

[summerrluvv]

What about the Playmobile sets?

DS had those when he was younger - he played with them for years and years. He had the fort, castle, pirate ships, island, etc. The nice thing about Playmobile is that you can buy add-on pieces.

I think 3.5 is too young for Playmobil. The parts are itty bitty and there are a zillion parts per set, so the younger kids get frustrated (been there done that with my son and my nephews). The stuff doesn't stay together very well either, especially accessories on the people.

I highly recommend the Duplo sets from Lego. They have a castle set out now that is Duplo and while it has a bunch of pieces, it's much easier to put together, it stays together (unlike some of the Playmobil stuff) and it's a lot of fun! www.lego.com has the sets. I believe toys r us is still having their buy 2 get one free sale, so it's a great way to stock up. My son is 6.5 and my nephews are around the same age and they all love this castle set.

 

[LynnTH]

My DD was 3-1/2 last Christmas and she got the Leapster (along with her 6 year old brother). They both love that thing and play with it all the time. Plan on getting them some new cartridges for Christmas.

 

[taekwondo mom]

play hut has several pop up sport type games.. Then they fold up for storage..

 

[jekajekalynn]

Have you seen those "B.C. Builder" sets? My 3 year old ds begs for that for Christmas. lol

Then there are those Shake and Go race car thingies. My ds also wants those, and they look A LOT easier for him to comprehend how to use it compaired to cars that you have to push backwards on the floor to make it go.

I got one of those Thomas the Tank Engine AquaDoodles for him a half a month ago and he LOVES it. NO mess or paints to deal with and it has a little marker that makes 'tracks', and it comes with a choo choo train that actually follows the tracks.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I have a 3.5 year old DS!
I suggest anything Playhut--DS LOVES his Playhuts!
Also Little Tikes (or other brand) plastic golf or bowling set (my boys play with these for hours; the bowling one is a great active indoor diversion on bad-weather days).

 

[aprincessmom]

wooden blocks, lincoln logs or duplos...anything you can build with.