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Original poster

Gift for big brother (4.5) from new baby?

15 replies

MummaGiles · 04/06/2019 11:46

I’m sure this has been done many times before but has anyone got any great ideas for a gift from a new baby to its big brother (will be 4.5yo)? He likes cars, football, superheroes (marvel), Lego etc and generally running around being very active.

We thought about a proper bike (he has a balance bike atm) but that feels like something he’d want to play on a lot and would need one of us with him when we might not be able to, so it could just lead to resentment 😬

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 04/06/2019 12:09

Mine got a train set, I was hoping it would be useful when I needed them to be in one room while I was feeding LO. It worked very well especially as we only got it out for feeds.

Original poster
MummaGiles · 04/06/2019 13:22

That sounds nice. He has a train set already, and a hot wheels track. I’m a bit devoid of ideas.

OP posts:
mylittlenugget · 04/06/2019 13:28

I know you said he's very active but what about some activity books? Could be useful for when the baby is sleeping and you need him to be quiet/you've just managed to find five minutes to tidy up and don't want him following you around pulling toys out again?
It obviously depends on the child as well but a four year old I knew liked those construction sets you can get, maybe one of those that don't have the small pieces but that he could sit and paint and then put together with minimal input/supervision could be good (and if it's a really good make the wheels could work and then he could have a new toy to push around too!)

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mylittlenugget · 04/06/2019 13:29

Something like this?

Gift for big brother (4.5) from new baby?
TokyoSushi · 04/06/2019 13:29

DS got a slide from DD but he was younger, something for the garden?

Original poster
MummaGiles · 04/06/2019 15:01

Thanks all. Just bumping for more ideas.

OP posts:
Bluetrews25 · 04/06/2019 15:02

We did some playmobil - a small box that would fit in my hospital bag, so DC1 got given it in the hospital when he met DC2 for the first time. Following the 'instant reward' thing from dog training!

Bacardi101 · 04/06/2019 15:25

I gave my eldest a pretend baby so when I was winding/ changing my LO they could do the same with theirs it worked wonders to be honest.

Original poster
MummaGiles · 04/06/2019 19:41

Bumping for the evening crowd

OP posts:
Ricekrispie22 · 04/06/2019 19:42

Something he can keep and use for a long time that will always remind him of the day he first met his little sibling. We did a personalised mug for my DC.

incogKNEEto · 04/06/2019 19:52

Aquadraw - maybe the Thomas the Tank Engine one if I t's still available?

Ideal he can draw/play with the train and it's not messy or needing much supervision/help, you just fill the pens up with water Smile

flowerstar19 · 04/06/2019 20:00

My DS2 bought DS1 (then 2.9) a Playmobil set he had been hankering after in the toy shop, I ordered it secretly online when we got home. He loved it and couldn't tell believe baby had known he wanted it - sweet! Best of luck OP :)

Thistles24 · 04/06/2019 21:54

DS was 3 and had wanted a kitchen. We got him that, figuring he could play with it and chat away while I was feeding. Also loads of jigsaw puzzles, he was in a massive jigsaw phase at that point!

FurrySlipperBoots · 04/06/2019 22:12

Definitely something that can come out when the baby's feeding! How about a marble run? They're epic, and literally can be built differently every single time, and will last him the whole of his childhood. The downside is that stray marbles are a hazard once baby starts crawling.

Playmobil is brilliant!! Scarily expensive but again will keep him going for years, and it's such good quality t can be passed down and passed down. I'm currently sharing my stuff I've had for over 20 years!

Do you have a sandpit? He can play in that for hours over the summer while you're busy with the newbie.

If he's active and he might be stuck indoors a lot while you're recovering, how about some equipment you can lay out for him into obstacle courses? Hoops to jump from one to the other of, a pop up tunnel, a pool noodle to jump over or duck under? Depending on the size of your house/storage/wallet, a folding slide and ball pit? Fantastic for when they're full of beans but stuck indoors (if they have a friend round they will literally play 2 hours straight with that one!) and without the balls it doubles as a waterslide into a paddling poll (ditto!)

Don't rule out a doll. It's good for boys to have the chance to roleplay with babies too, and it gives him a chance to release his feelings (ie, be rough!) if he has any resentment over his new sibling. Most boys I know are pretty happy to have a buggy to race round with!

UsernameTaken2 · 04/06/2019 22:21

We got an engraved train track from the new baby to give to his brother for his birthday two weeks later that way it's sentimental as well

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