Christmas ideas for 9 yr old boy that is 'over' toys?

[zachnsamsmommy]

My son is 9 1/2 yrs old, and I am out of ideas for Christmas. I have to get my shopping done early b/c my baby is due late Nov/ early Dec. He loves Xbox...but he is a little overweight and I really want to limit the video games. I did buy him the newest "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book coming out next month...but that is it.

He is in Boy Scouts, so I am getting him a Webelos hat...but I am totally out of ideas now.

Anyone with a 9 yr old boy that can 'point' me to some ideas? I hate the idea of just getting him gift cards for Christmas...

 

[stsomewhere]

his own tent.
pocket knife
lego sets
good yo-yo

good sleeping bag rated for cold weather. My sons troop camps March through Nov, outside. He has a mummy bag rate for 0 degrees. He on every camp out ,even summer camp. It is horrible to be cold in the middle of the night.


drawing kits, nice colored pencils
books

 

[parrothead365]

10yr old girl

just kidding

whopee cushion (trust me here)

 

[minkydog]

DS24 got over toys pretty quickly too. We didn't allow much TV and had no video games until he was over 16. When he was 8-9-10 we gave him a box of different size batteries, some wiring, flashlight bulbs and little tiny motors. He made circuit boards for months and even devised a science project testing the longevity of different brands of batteries. Another year we bought him a small hammer, nails and a quantity of plywood squares and 2x4 pieces. Another year we bought him a shovel--he spent months digging up the backyard looking for "jewels"--here in North Georgia you can't dig 6 inches without hitting a bagful of quartz and amethyst. When he was 11 we got him an inexpensive video camera and he started writing and executing short films.

Does your son like crafts? Basketball? Soccer? One year I got my kids a red playground ball. They played with that for years until the dog finally bit it.

 

[scottishduffy]

My older brother used to ejoy making models.

He had a Marble Run apparatus that he loved into his teen years. It was a track that he could build and make different paths and tricks. It ended up becoming a very involved deal in one corner of his room.

There is also something alled Snap Circuits. Another building type Toy but with electrical circuits. It may feel like an 'upgrade' from Legos and other type toys since it deals with electricity.

I like the idea of Tenting gear, and outdoor survival type kits. If he isnt into traditional outdoor activities then maybe he will take to something like a stilts. It is a unique thing to learn!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

What about a pogo stick? They make really cool ones now. I saw them at the toy store and they looked like fun.

 

[GJM]

I am in the same boat, my DS will turn 11 in Dec. I have no clue of what to get him this year. Plus we have a ton of family the also buys for him. He really is over playing with toys, he does want some video games - I just don't want video games under the tree.

I miss the days when he was little, and was able to buy the little kid toys.

 

[MickeySP]

Sounds like you want him to get abit of exercise.

Maybe skateboard, rollerblades, bike or something along those lines - of course with safety gear.

 

[KristiMc]

My 9 year old son wants a Paper Jamz guitar.

 

[N&B'smom]

Get him a Wii and all the games that you need to actually do physical movement to play (bowling, boxing, baseball, tennis, etc).

 

[Darcy03231]

When DS was that age:

Legos
Rollerblades
Basketball
Tickets to sporting events
ipod & itunes cards
video games
Sweatshirts/T-shirts w/sports teams
DVDs
Skateboard

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Sounds like you want him to get abit of exercise.

Maybe skateboard, rollerblades, bike or something along those lines - of course with safety gear.

He has all that except the rollerblades, and he isn't coordinated enough for that. He has actually lost 5 lbs in the past 3 weeks b/c he has been playing basketball and football with DH. DH actually suggested running shoes so that they could run together...but somehow I just don't think that would go over very well with him, lol.

We have most of the scout camping gear...the tent, the backpack, the gear. He is getting a new 0 degree mummy sleeping bag from the grandparents for Christmas.

I've seen the PaperJamz guitars, but wasn't really sure what they were, lol. I'll have to check that out along with some of the other ideas. But keep the ideas coming...please!

Thanks again!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My 9 1/2 year old boy (also a scout) asked for a fire proof box with a key to keep his important papers in.

I've been writing things down all year.

Fishing pole
arrows (last year he got a bow and arrow set)
life is good shirts
bananagrams
golf balls
digital camera

Some things he got last year.

Snap circuits
bow and arrow set
hand crank flashlight (no batteries)
snow board
small tool box with some basic tools
ipod nano

 

[runwad]

This is my ds10 too and to make matters worse he still believes in santa (4th grade, I'm sure this is the last year ). He just had a birthday this month and there is nothing he wanted or plays with. He has a wii and said wii games but when you ask which ones he doesn't know. He has all the good ones already. And I don't want to just give wii games. plus their 50 bucks a pop!

The crank flash light is a good idea. I'm keeping an eye on this thread for more ideas too.

 

[Darcy03231]

I forgot the radio contolled car. We actually got him two so he and his friends could race them around together (although I think DH played with this quite a bit too).

 

[GJM]

My DS says he doesn't believe, but I tell him I believe - and keep telling him what is Santa going to get you?!

 

[minkydog]

My DS says he doesn't believe, but I tell him I believe - and keep telling him what is Santa going to get you?!

We still "believe" at out house--and my kids are 24, 17, and 15. About 11pm on Christmas Eve, the girls retire to my bedroom with the boys' stuff and the boys retire to the dining room with the girls' stuff. Magic happens and in the morning all the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

 

[golfgal]

Board games were always a big hit around that age. What about golf clubs? Do you or your DH golf? That is a great family activity too. How about tickets to a game-football, basketball, whatever?

 

[kristilew]

Ok, my kid is a girl, so maybe this totally doesn't translate, and sorry if I'm way off base....BUT,

that was the age DD started thinking more "outwardly" and we adopted a red panda in Nepal for her gift. She got a certificate, a picture of the panda, and then email updates all year on Sanju. She loved that she was helping to save an endangered animal and it really prompted her to learn a ton about red pandas. Since then, we have continued to adopt animals, as well as to gift her favorite animals to poor children through World Vision. Last year, on her behalf, several gifters sponsored llamas for children in Peru to raise.

She doesn't need one more "thing," and this is a gift that gives all year long.

The other thing she got really into at that age was archery. It started with a simple bow and arrow set and some paper targets, and has continued to grow. It's a sport that requires a different type of coordination, so might be cool for you guy.

Good luck!

 

[scrapquitler]

Just throwing ideas out:

board games
magic tricks
science experiment kits
woodworking kits
marshmallow gun
laser tag or paintball gear
skateboard
trampoline
skis
remote control car or airplane
Lego Mindstorms or other robotics kit
Rokenboc
books
a guitar
a drum set
keyboard
things for his room: new desk lamp, desk chair, clock radio, bulletin board, display case, stuff like that
hermit crabs
a hand held gps to go letterboxing/hiking
art supplies
legos
air hockey/foosball table
model kits
metal detector
dart set
fishing equipment (flies, tackle box, lures, fishing pole)
gags (whoopie pies, buzzer rings, etc)
a scooter
backpack for hiking/camping


non-stuff gifts: tickets to a museum, laser tag place, rock climbing gym, a gym membership (like the Y), movie tickets, tickets to a local aquarium, concert tickets, a camping trip with Dad,