DS's Birthday is interfering with Santa!

[cruisnfamily]

DS just had his 10th birthday party yesterday. He was delighted and thrilled to receive 2 items he really, really wanted from Santa and had on his list. Unfortunately, Santa had already purchased and wrapped these items as well. Since it would look pretty bad for Santa to bring duplicates, it's back to the drawing board for 2 more items but it's a bummer because these were "WOW" items that he really longed for but they were cheapish $20 each....so now I dont' know what Santa might want to replace them with that will have the same WOW effect. He is getting several larger gifts that he also wants but in order to keep the pile even, I now need about 2 more things.

So, my question is, can you give me some "GREAT" ideas for a 10 year old boy in the $20 range? (and lets hope they're not all things that he already got for his birthday or Santa already got)

Thanks!

 

[RadioFanatic]

does he like star wars? I got an amazing darth vader bank and a make your own lightsaber kit that were 19.99 each. I got them at target but also saw them at walmart.

 

[Tinijocaro]

If he's a reader, how about the Eragon/Eldest books- saw them for about 20.00, about dragons.

My 10 year old d was asking for spy gear, Bionicles, books, PS2 games.

Jackie

 

[themepark]

Harry Potter Legos and Bionicles are on my 9 year old DS's wish list. He also asked for Star Wars Battlefront for PS2 which cost $20. This is the first Battlefront, not Battlefront 2. Is there a DVD he would really like?

 

[tiggerlover]

My DS (9-1/2) had to have a couple of Star Wars Lego's and I believe they were around $19.99. We also got DVD's of The Polar Express and Madagasgar. Does he like building? Michaels and AC Moore had these wooden sets where you can build a birdhouse, a CD rack or a race car with tools that were provided, they were about $15-20 each. Also in Michaels was a kit to build an apache helicopter for $19.99, DS saw that this weekend and really wanted it for himself (but our rule is no buying for yourself between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Good luck on your quest I hate when that good gift idea slips away or is taken away for one reason or another.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Thanks for the replies!

Unfortunately none of them are the "right" item for various reasons...not a star wars fan, has craft kits he hasn't used, doesn't care for legos/bionicles(he's into Knex and magnetix and is already getting loads of those), he's getting a bank already, he has plenty of books, etc, etc....

But, here's something I was thinking about. One of the "wow" items was the SpongeBob game of Life. He's loving it! Played it 3 times since he got it yesterday...so, I was thinking about another game. We have quite a few games already. I was thinking about one of the cranium games(the only one we have is cadoo) or else, somebody tell me about this apples to apples game, what is it? Or, any other good 10 yr old boy board game recommendations?

For the other item, maybe some of those light up magnetix??? I don't know....still looking for any and all ideas.

 

[mom2boys]

My 10 yr old asked for an art kit - you know, a carrying case filled with markers, crayons, colored pencils... I was a bit surprised by his request but Michaels had them for less than $4 yesterday, so he's getting one. What about a gift card to the video store so he can rent video games or movies.
Games - I got my boys the junior version of Apples to Apples. What about a chess set or backgammon.
If you can stand it, Target seems to have a lot of Nerf dart guns.... I also picked up an electronic dart board at Target for $7 - soft darts that won't leave holes in the walls. If he doesn't already have spy gear, my boys love that stuff - they especially love the room alarm. I refuse to buy the listening devices. My 10 year old is still into his match box cars bigtime.

 

[cruisnfamily]

, Target seems to have a lot of Nerf dart guns.... I also picked up an electronic dart board at Target for $7 - soft darts that won't leave holes in the walls.

Ooooh, two awesome ideas here that he'd really like!

Tell me about apples to apples.

 

[Southern4sure]

Apples to Apples is a really fun game. I have the reg. version so Im not sure about the junior but my soon to be 10 yr old plays it and we all have alot of fun. I recommend it. It is kinda hard to explain but is super easy.

 

[VickiVM]

My son also has a Christmas/birthday (on Wed, the 21st). It's really hard to come up with "wow" gifts because we have to wow him two times in one week.

He's turning 12 and really, really, really wanted an ipod, but we got him an mp3 player instead for birthday - and that's all he's getting from us - he'll get more from family. Then for Christmas we have the Scene It Jr. game (my son is the king of meaningless pop culture trivia - can recite his favorite movies/cartoons verbatim). He's also getting a desk speaker set for his mp3, a video game, a watch (like $15)and a cd. I think I'm going to add a couple of other cheap gifts.

 

[aprilgail2]

But, here's something I was thinking about. One of the "wow" items was the SpongeBob game of Life. He's loving it!

.

DARN IT!!! I wish there were a few more days until christmas,....my daughter really wanted that game and it is sold out everypace...I would have bought it from you since you had doubles!

 

[golfgal]

I was going to recommend Apples to Apples, the jr version, too. Our kids LOVE the game. They play the adult version with us but there are a lot of cards they don't know, mainly people, so we got them the jr version this year. DS10 is getting tickets to a Timberwolves basketball game, would he enjoy something like that? It is more then $20 but you could get him that and have one gift instead of two. What about the 20 question ball. The kids all love that. They are about $10.

 

[cruisnfamily]

DARN IT!!! I wish there were a few more days until christmas,....my daughter really wanted that game and it is sold out everypace...I would have bought it from you since you had doubles!

I was at Walmart today and they had PILES of this game. Of course, that's down here in FL but they're certainly not sold out here.

Wish I could send it to you but it's not gonna get there in time!

I'm now thinking seriously about a Nerf gun and some cranium game or another. Can somebody give me a rundown on the cranium games? Which one would appeal most to a 10yr old boy? Still wondering about Apples to apples too, I think I'll go read the reviews on Amazon.

 

[poutytink]

I bought the Spongebob Game of Life for my son too. He is 8, I also got him the Spongebob version of Ants in the Pants game and a karate game that looks like rockem' sockem' robots ( remember that!??) with the squirrel and Spongebob.

 

[Chuck S]

Does he need earphones? Our cats chewed the cord up on mine, and I see Radio Shack has some wireless headphones for $20 (1/2 price)..so guess where I'm going tomorrow.

 

[Glynis]

I vote for Apples to Apples, too. I haven't seen the Jr. version, but our 8 year old plays the regular with us. If a card comes up that she doesn't know, she simply plays any card she wants. It's usually good for a laugh. It really is a fun game, and if the Jr. version is as good as the regular version, it will be a big hit with your son and his friends. The nice thing is, the game is never the same twice.

Does he have a liking for mysteries? There are many versions of Clue out there. That could also be fun!

 

[aprilgail2]

I was at Walmart today and they had PILES of this game. Of course, that's down here in FL but they're certainly not sold out here.


.

Not the stores around here...even on ebay they are going for a lot of money due to the fact you can't get them many places....
I figure by the time the holidays are over she can take her christmas money and go get it herself if she still wants it...

 

[dismom9761]

My DS10 wanted the Nerf tag game.It looked like alot of fun.I have never heard of apples to Apples.I am going to look into that.