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AIBU?

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Original poster

Age appropriate gift

53 replies

Pollypocket1990 · 13/08/2026 22:46

Hiya, I’m looking for something smaller age appropriate shopping advice.

Twin boys turning 10, parent A suggested:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BN24572/?coliid=ID21ZIMAQXZRC&colid=1ZCLMP9DHBD4M&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_vv_lig_dp_it

Parent B suggested:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Machine-Countertop-Slushie-Officially-Merchandise/dp/B0CWVPQHMM/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=12AKLGEFBD5F8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cvCc0p4SS8lcg43d_W_PkS9btwcxnY6lcPMKxAccfpNW5cdsqxfd6xfe1IHp1Qq_SADKKhIRuQH0Os4gitfanRWIaJZx_zkQcRcrqJauB8W7Xdy8uSGpo0yTLbhZlMIsRln_HMO62GB-XDKQ9DjTL6NEkd68wsecZzCUrQGkpEqNj3sLsREjFtbZWVSk2OwWrwxB1fdd52X3cXnSDXPY9Q.7I2pfGNKxT1kZcUxWAtyIt1d2omhET2qNYGiVaGTtII&dib_tag=se&keywords=slush+machine&qid=1786657483&sprefix=slush%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-7

which is more age appropriate?

Amazon

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BN24572?colid=1ZCLMP9DHBD4M&coliid=ID21ZIMAQXZRC&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_vv_lig_dp_it&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5566370-age-appropriate-gift

OP posts:
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cariadlet · 16/08/2026 03:11

I'm a primary school teacher so have known a lot of 10 years olds. Very few would like the magnetic construction. I agree with pp that lego would go down well if they enjoy construction toys.

No experience of slushy makers so can't comment on that.

Tapoopoo · 15/08/2026 20:06

A pop corn maker is a waste of space. It's a novelty that will get put in a cupboard when everyone realises a pan with a lid is easier!

We have a candy floss maker. It comes out every few months. It takes up a lot of space, is a pain to clean and obviously all that sugar! If it breaks, my daughter will want to replace it but we'll resist! 🤣

Tapoopoo · 15/08/2026 20:04

Rainallnight · 14/08/2026 23:15

We have a tiny kitchen with zero space. And DD definitely doesn’t need more sugar in her life

Show quote history

I understand. We have the smallest kitchen in the world. My daughter loves her slushie machine though and it's kept on the side because she uses it so much. She rarely uses syrups though. 99% of the time it's just ice because she loves crunching it. If she was using the flavours all the time, I wouldn't be happy!

Alwaystired101 · 15/08/2026 18:28

Slushy machine but thats double price as b and m if you have one x

Chocolattecoffeecup · 15/08/2026 18:27

My DC are much younger than yours and have been playing with the magnetic tiles since they were about 2 years old. Slushie maker is more age appropriate and I think ten year old would love it.

Shufflebumnessie · 15/08/2026 18:26

At 10, my DS would have loved either. If you go with the Slush Puppie machine, definitely shop around as Smyths has the same one for £34.99 with free delivery.

bettyboo9 · 15/08/2026 14:41

Cinema tickets with popcorn?

Happyjoe · 15/08/2026 14:34

B - I would've killed for a slushie at that age. The blocks are too young and well, limited interest.

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2026 13:33

modgepodge · 15/08/2026 12:05

Yep! My daughter loves hers, it gets used every day. We just use squash so not too unhealthy.

Show quote history

Thank you, that's great to know!

PeachyPoet · 15/08/2026 12:33

Get lego. My son loved lego well into his teens.

modgepodge · 15/08/2026 12:05

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2026 09:47

Hardly the point of the thread, but do these cups work well? I might get them for the dc if they do, I'd assumed they couldn't possibly work!

Show quote history

Yep! My daughter loves hers, it gets used every day. We just use squash so not too unhealthy.

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 15/08/2026 12:02

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2026 09:47

Hardly the point of the thread, but do these cups work well? I might get them for the dc if they do, I'd assumed they couldn't possibly work!

Show quote history

We love them. They are so easy to use and great for adults and kids. I’ve also bought them a couple of times for other people’s kids as part of a bigger present and they are always the favourite thing!

Jugglingeggs · 15/08/2026 11:51

Lego

Undercoverpepsicola · 15/08/2026 11:30

If the parent’s suggesting these gifts are the boys’ own parents then I’d get the slushie machine

If not them I’d suggest k’nex as a more age appropriate alternative to the magnatiles

Fruhstuck · 15/08/2026 11:22

Magnetic tiles toy is too young for ten-year-olds. I expect they would love the Slushie machine - but do you really want them to be drinking lots of those?

manywanderings · 15/08/2026 10:36

Lego kits were the biggest hit here at 10 :-) Boy or girl twins?

Chickadee26 · 15/08/2026 10:14

Modelling kits there are many types available
Action figures
Passes to a zoo or other event
Their favorite teams jerseys

Favouritefruits · 15/08/2026 10:11

My 12 and 9 year old boys would not want the tiles, my 9 year old would love the slushie machine but 12 year old wouldn’t bother with it but I think I that’s more his personality than anything! Both love games such as Exploding kittens or Blockus!

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2026 09:47

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 15/08/2026 09:41

Definitely the slushie maker but I’d get them one each of these:
https://amzn.eu/d/085Njysv
You can put anything in them (including a nice frozen margarita) and they get one each. You don’t need syrup for them, just juice/squash is fine.

Hardly the point of the thread, but do these cups work well? I might get them for the dc if they do, I'd assumed they couldn't possibly work!

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 15/08/2026 09:41

Definitely the slushie maker but I’d get them one each of these:
https://amzn.eu/d/085Njysv
You can put anything in them (including a nice frozen margarita) and they get one each. You don’t need syrup for them, just juice/squash is fine.

Amazon

Amazon

https://amzn.eu/d/085Njysv?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5566370-age-appropriate-gift

Mmmm19 · 15/08/2026 06:34

Neither. Magnatiles too young (not saying they wouldn’t play with a siblings but as a gift) . Slushie maker probably not for everyone / all families. I’d try to see what they are into. At those prices you could get a football shirt or something they really want. My 9 year old still plays with toys but I think quite a few don’t. Lego IF they like it. Board games. Only computing vouchers if you know if and what they play (mine doesn’t play those type of games). I’d avoid a shared present but a shared console game they both want could be ok.

Rainallnight · 14/08/2026 23:15

Tapoopoo · 14/08/2026 21:01

Why?

Show quote history

We have a tiny kitchen with zero space. And DD definitely doesn’t need more sugar in her life

BunnyLake · 14/08/2026 22:50

Darragon · 14/08/2026 13:38

These both look like bad presents. A popcorn maker would be less mess than a slushie machine but really a food making present is just an over-hyped kitchen gadget that a parent has to clean, and as for magnatiles, not at that age. What are the kids actually into? At 10 it should be clear whether they prefer football or mario, for example.

I got my son a popcorn maker year’s ago and he was bored with it after a few goes. Those type of things usually have a very short attention life once the novelty’s worn off.

MabelAnderson · 14/08/2026 21:21

DoAWheelie · 14/08/2026 13:02

I vote slushie machine if you know their parents would be fine with it.

Agree.
Or a popcorn machine. Candy floss machine is good fun too.

Tapoopoo · 14/08/2026 21:01

Rainallnight · 14/08/2026 20:35

I’d be really pissed off if someone for one of my DC a slushie maker

Why?