christmas idea for a boy who loves "red squirrels"

[Gunznroses]

ds is obsessed with red squirrels since finding out they are endangered. Every morning he goes hunting in our garden (which is usually full of squirrels) for a red one. Of course he's never seen one.

He is also loves "bugs" any type. Ive though of perhaps looking for a bug calendar (but decided thats too boring) i also though of buying one of those garden ornaments but a red squirrel one, saw some on ebay but they look naff. Any advice please.

[JackThePumpkinKing]

Have a look on pinterest (just search squirrels and loads should come up)

[Gunznroses]

Sorry what "pinterest" ? Is it a website ?

[JackThePumpkinKing]

Slippers ?
monsterslippers.mopowered.co.uk/product/sinbad-squirrel-for-kids-preorder-p-328

[BedHog]

There are loads of bug boxes on ebay. All designed to house different types of bugs - ladybirds, lacewings, worms, woodlice etc. He could put it in the garden and it would be interesting for him to see which minibeasts moved in!

[JackThePumpkinKing]

Yes, its like an online scrapbook

Pinterest.com

[Petsinmyputridpudenda]

You ould sponser a red squirrel throgh the wildlife trust?

[JackThePumpkinKing]

How about a puppet?

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001B72S6A?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[BedHog]

This sort of thing, although there are loads from a couple of quid to £50+.

[Gunznroses]

Jack - I love the slippers idea!

And loving the bug box, please keep them coming.

[Gunznroses]

Aaarrrgh! Bedhog! The sight of all those holes together made me feel ill, cant stand too many holes (i know i sound weird) i just have a strange aversion to it, not your fault sorry.

[BedHog]

Not wierd Gunz - it's an evolutionary thing to be revulsed by lots of holes. Something to do with pox and diseases I think!

Is this one better?

[Faverolles]

Trip to center parcs at Cumbria and see them in the flesh?
Definitely not a budget idea though!

[Gunznroses]

That ones much better! Cos they're square for some reason

[Gunznroses]

Ooooh! Center parcs sounds good but may have to wait for a better planned holiday.

[WitchOfEndor]

Jojomamanbebe have the Gruffalo squirrel stuffed toy for £10

[Gunznroses]

Bedhg - this bug box, i noticed its got something's in it, do you have to put soil/grass whatever in there to attract the bugs ? Also what happens when it really called/snowy ? Do you have to bring it in ...eek!

[LexiWITCHious]

How big is your garden? Would be a long term thing to wait for them to grow enough to support red squirrels, and for the RSs to arrive, but www.woodlandtrustshop.com/products/252-red-squirrel-mix.aspx would be properly educational!

[DeeMonic]

Sponsor a squirrel? (I think that's already been suggested though).

'Grow a butterfly' kit? 'Grow a stick insect' kit?

You can get lots of mini-explorer type things - bug viewer, net, pooter & id books either online or better still through your local wildlife trust. And the WT will most likely run a whole hoard of activities with a nature/wildlife theme which are either free or low-cost.

If you don't like the idea of a bug box you could create (or your DS could) a bug hotel - use old tiles, bits of turf, old bits of packaging etc. With the bug boxes you don't need to put anything in. We have one in our garden (from well before we ever had DD) and it gets used by various beetles and solitary bees. They just tuck themselves away in there when it's really cold. It's quite fascinating. We've also got a box with a clear front and a solar light in it. During the evening it attracts moths and bugs in. They're quite safe inside (put a few twigs or bits of egg box in) and the front is easily removed to let them out. The clear front and light means you get some good viewing.

[Wolfiefan]

What is his age? Gruffalo has a red squirrel character. My dd has a soft toy.

[Gunznroses]

He is 8yrs. Thanks for all your ideas.

[insanityscratching]

Lovely sweater in Primark with a squirrel on, was tempted to buy it for dd but it was just a bit too boyish (not that it bothers her)

[WhatWouldWitchesDo]

For your next holiday, visit Germany, go to Triberg waterfalls in the Black Forest, and there are loads there, visitors get a bag of nuts and feed them, and they squirrels come and eat them out of your hand.

[Gunznroses]

Whatwould - thats abrilliant idea for a holiday, ds would think he'd died and gone to squirrel heaven...... if a red one could eat out of his hand!!!! infact he'll probably pass out with joy

[WhatWouldWitchesDo]

We went a couple of weeks ago, there were red squirrels all over the place! I hope you go, sounds perfect for your son. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triberg_im_Schwarzwald

[girlywhirly]

If you are ever on the south coast of England, there are wild red squirrels living in the woods of Brownsea Island, in Poole harbour. You get there by a ferry. Because they're on an island they have never been crowded out by grey squirrels.