what is a great gift for a five year old boy?

[jenniferma]

HI-- need some quick advice please! My daughter has been invited to three birthday parties in one week (yikes)! All are boys and I am not real familar with what 5 year old boys like. Any suggestions? I am hoping to spend $15-$20. THANKS!
jen

 

[EthansMom]

My 4.5 year old loves computer games. For him and his older cousin (boy), I tend to buy racing computer games. I highly recommend "Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver".

When DS starts Kindergarten next year, I plan on keeping a few new computer games in the closet for birthday party gifts since the kids here tend to invite the entire class to their party.

Also, sports gear is usually a good idea -- soccer balls, baseball gloves, etc...

 

[ktpool]

Any kind of truck, motorcycle or car - my ds6 loves to play cars and trucks for hours with his friends. I also agree that balls of any kind are good ideas!

 

[kbkids]

My 5 yr old son LOVES Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, Batman, and Spiderman. He also really enjoys playing with Magnetix. Anything Hot Wheels. He's a big monster truck fan! I usually get one of the Air Hogs toys for birthday parties. They say for kids 8 and up, but he can work them fine - but they are definitely outdoor toys.

 

[MossMan]

I'm not 5, but I am a guy.

And if you were buying for me I would suggest you go with beer.

If you want to spend a little more, you could always pick up an x-rated video to go along with the beer. I like that too.

However, if you think alchohol and porn are inappropiate, may I suggest foam glider. This was always a huge hit with my boy at this age.

 

[rt2dz]

Depends on the 5yo boy. My DS5 is not into super heros, but some of his friends are. He outgrew cars & trucks a couple of years ago, as did most his friends, but some are still into it. For my DS5, it would be dinosaurs or Star Wars all the way.

The theme of the party should really give you a good idea. If the theme is spider man then super heros might be the way to go, for example. When I don't know the child well, and didn't have the chance to ask the parent what the interests are, I go for some general things. Some of those gifts that I have given this year include Lincoln Logs, Pogo ball, bubble gun & sidewalk paint, outdoor tetherball (portable) set, gift certificate to Build a Bear (very close to Christmas birthday), slip-n-slide, a couple of games and very newly released DVD. And always include a gift receipt just in case.

 

[In a hurry]

Legos. You can't go wrong with a good set of them.

 

[Maleficent13]

Dinosaur stuff...I have always given dinosaur stuff to this age bracket, and it's always been a hit.

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

I always opt for outdoor games type gifts...especially when the birthday is in the spring or summer months. Actually I just went to Target yesterday (not sure if you have one near you) and got some Mini Monster Rockets (they are soft nerf like rocket type things that come with a launcher) and then an assortment of bouncy balls, a bubble gun, a kite etc...and only spent $25.00. The little boy (turned 6) I got them for LOVED each thing...

Hope this helps!

 

[mickeyboat]

Legos are a great idea.

The last B-day party we went to, we gave a Nerf gun. I doubt his parents were pleased, but the birthday boy was thrilled.

Denae

 

[In a hurry]

Legos are a great idea.

The last B-day party we went to, we gave a Nerf gun. I doubt his parents were pleased, but the birthday boy was thrilled.

Denae

That's a great one too! We gave them for Christmas to all of the nephews. There is a great one that shoots multiple darts, and costs about $12. Chaos reigned, but everyone had a great time!

 

[mom2riceboys]

Anything with Spider-Man or Batman. My son and his friends are obsessed with super heroes!

 

[malibuconlee]

I gave my 5 yo nephew a Lite Brite for Christmas. We had fun with it that night. No idea if he's played with it since tho.

 

[RadioNate]

My ds is turning 5. He's not really into super heros or star wars (too scary!). He likes games, race cars and anything building (legos, kenex).

What do 5 year old girls like? We seem to be going to a lot of those parties!

 

[maddiel]

What do 5 year old girls like? We seem to be going to a lot of those parties!

Pink Stuff with lots of little tiny pieces.

My Little Ponies, Princesses, Barbies, Polly Pockets and (ugh!) Bratz.

M.

 

[mickeyboat]

What do 5 year old girls like? We seem to be going to a lot of those parties!

Hannah would like shoes - preferably flip flops.

Emily would like fire trucks.

They are getting to the age where they have such different likes and dislikes, that I can't just buy two of everything anymore.

Denae

 

[goofy's friends]

Legoes or Magnetix are what my soon to be 5 yr. old could spend hours on end playing with.
he also still enjoys Rescue Heroes.

Someone asked about little girls---purses, barbie, polly pockets, pretty PJs, arts and crafts,

 

[Hannathy]

The nerf stuff is what I fall back on when I don't know for sure for boys great for ages 4- adult for "boys" My DS and his friends all liked the star wars stuff and still do. There is some neat GI Joe stuff to. If really unsure get the little nerf shooter around $3.00 and put it with a $15.00 Target gift card , Thats what I did for my SIL's boyfriend's son at Xmas 'cause I didn't know him well, that way he opened something generic to play with and could get something he wanted to play with.

 

[Brianne]

Legos or Magnetix are huge with my DS but if the birthday boy has younger siblings, I probably wouldn't go that route.

We've gotten in the habit of giving books for presents or in the very least, a gift card to a book store. Probably not one of the favored gifts for the child but the parents always seem thrilled.

 

[jenniferma]

Thanks everyone-- I ended up going the route of the cd rom-- not sure how successful we were.. but live and learn! The biggest hits seemed to be Dinosaur stuff and Power Rangers.. even Teenage Mutant Turtles got some excitement at the parties (go figure!)

thanks again-- maybe someday I will get to enjoy all the boy stuff too.
jen