Need Gift Ideas for 7 year old boy with cancer

[EllenFrasier]

Our family knows a boy, actually he is my great-nephew's step brother. He is seven years old and has a rare form of childhood cancer. He's had some surgery and just started out patient chemo. My sister thought it would be nice to send him some postcards or cards. I think that is a great idea too, but I wanted to kick it up a notch and send him some toys. Not overly expensive toys, but something maybe to keep him occupied while he's getting chemo, or for the drive back and forth to the hospital.

I'm going shopping tomorrow and thought if I could get a few ideas, I could pick him something up and mail it to him tomorrow. I'm also at a loss as to waht to say in a card - I have never met the boy and he doesn't know who we are. I could say I am his step brother's father's aunt....sounds confusing though. Maybe just "from a friend of the family"?

 

[mom2boys77]

Well my ds just turned 8 and he loves his Nintendo Dsi, Legos, and Diary of A Wimpy Kid books. I would think maybe a game for his Dsi or Ds if you could find out if he has one, or a small lego set. I'm so sorry and I will keep him in my prayers.

 

[portocall]

Here are just some ideas that came in handy for my sister when she was getting chemo.

a funbook with crayons
the pads with the invisable ink or the crayola wonder stuff
bubbles, they make great icebreakers
paper airplane book with some paper to fold
books in general
handheld and travel games

They are fun, easy, lightweight and easy to travel with.
My sister used to get letters and postcards and all kinds of gifts in the mail from a group called love letters and she loved it. I am sure your little guy will love anything even if he doesn't know you per se.

An appropriate message might be. Know that your are our thoughts and you are not fighting alone. We are praying for you. or even To lift your spirits. You should sign your name and send a picture so that he can get to know you. I think that it is fabulous what you are doing because it is important to keep his spirits up. I will say a prayer for him tonight.

 

[EllenFrasier]

I was thinking one of those portable size MagnaDoodles might be fun because he could draw on it and erase it over and over - is 7 years old too old for a MagnaDoodle?

 

[golfgal]

Puzzle books, comic books or easy reading books if he is tired out easily, play-do or silly putty, some magnetic travel games for the car (you can find them by the hand held game section), playing cards, coloring books (if he likes those), Pokemon cards or what ever the hot cards are these days, get him some small gift cards to Target/Walmart, etc. so when he can go out he has some "money" to buy something for himself. If he doesn't have a portable DVD player, get him one of those--or if your budget allows, a laptop (even a $400 one would be fine). He can then go online and play games, watch movies, etc. Maybe you can get a few people to chip in on a laptop for him OR if you know of someone that has an old one they would be willing to give him.

 

[HelenePA]

Puzzle books, comic books or easy reading books if he is tired out easily, play-do or silly putty, some magnetic travel games for the car (you can find them by the hand held game section), playing cards, coloring books (if he likes those), Pokemon cards or what ever the hot cards are these days, get him some small gift cards to Target/Walmart, etc. so when he can go out he has some "money" to buy something for himself. If he doesn't have a portable DVD player, get him one of those--or if your budget allows, a laptop (even a $400 one would be fine). He can then go online and play games, watch movies, etc. Maybe you can get a few people to chip in on a laptop for him OR if you know of someone that has an old one they would be willing to give him.

I'd nix the laptop idea and go with an ipod touch and a itunes gift card if budget allows. If you and another person (your sister perhaps?) go half on one I'm sure it would be easier on the pocketbook!

 

[golfgal]

I'd nix the laptop idea and go with an ipod touch and a itunes gift card if budget allows. If you and another person (your sister perhaps?) go half on one I'm sure it would be easier on the pocketbook!

That's a good idea too. I like the idea of the laptop for more functionality and quite frankly, it is easier to type on a laptop then an Itouch but the Itouch is cooler.

 

[bcvdreamer]

I 2nd the idea of a small set of Legos. Building them takes you mind off of things, and the kids love to play with them too. There's a lot of different sets - Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Toy Story and space themed.