What to buy for a 5 and 3 year old?

[MrsJ Henry]

Ok, I need some ideas of what to buy for a little boy who is 3 and a little boy who is 5. This is for Christmas. I don't want to spend too much money (It's for the children of a girl I work with)
Both kids are very smart and their dad is a science teacher and likes them to have learning toys.
Any ideas that anyone has? Like I said.. not expensive.. I really don't want to spend more than $40 for both toys (or one that they could both use)

 

[megthewonderful]

I just bought these great Bob the Builder VTech toys at Target for my boys, ages 3 and 4. They are fun educational toys and I can not say enough good things about them. They are $25 each and are on the Target website as VTech Bob the Builder Alpha Desk and VTech Bob the Builder Laptop. I would attach pictures of the items, but I seem to be having a hard time doing so.

 

[Aliceacc]

For the little boy, look into the Real Wheels videos. (There goes a Truck, There goes a Bulldozer, There goes a FireEngine....)
-- Also, if he's into trucks, find the book "The Lot at the End of the Block." It's a wonderful story, and was my son's favorite for ages.

Rescue Heroes aren't the newest toys on the block, but they're positive role models, and many come with a video as well (At least they used to; my son is a bit past that stage.) Brian had a bizillion of them when he was little.

Or go with the old standbys: Etch a Sketch, Coloring Books, playdough..... there's a reason those toys are still around.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas:

* A marble run is a lot of fun (if the 3yo won't put the marbles in his mouth)
* subscription to Highlights magazine ($26.04 at highlights.com)
* playdoh is awesome-there is a new activity center w/4 activities for$19.99
* A bucket of legos and a baseplate or two (again if 3 yo won't eat them!)

 

[blana]

I'd say get some of the small Playmobil sets. DS (2) & DNephews (4 & 2) all like the shake & Go racers (no, not educational, but FUN!) and the Geotrax train sets. The smaller sets run about $20 a piece & are from 3 up.

 

[noahdove]

I have 2 nephews like that and I give them a subscription to National Geographics for little kids and or Ranger Rick..they love getting these in the mail and they have a gift often

 

[Colinsmom]

My 5yo DS loves science! One of his favorites is his bug vacuum - I've seen them at Target (along with bug habitats); you can pair it with a book about bugs. National Geographic has some nice videos for the younger set - there is one about dinosaurs and another about tornados that my DS loves.

Can't go wrong with books; there are so many kid-oriented educational books out there now.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Thanks everyone. These are some great ideas.
I just didn't want to get them books since they have millions!!!!! Mom even says she doesn't know what to do with all of them so we have been trying to work out a way for her to organize them. If I gave her more I think she would kill me
I'm going to check out some of the things that have been mentioned here. Thanks so much!!!!