Ds turning 5- autistic. Struggling for birthday present ideas

[ChronicallyFucke]

Hoping someone might have some ideas we've not thought about.
Hes turning 5 soon, he's autistic so isn't into 'normal' 5 year old toys (he has older siblings so can compare somewhat)

He loves love loves his small Teddy cat.
Just a random teddy cat I picked up one day from charity shop. Gave it a wash and then showed him. Hes not put it down since.
I was looking at getting a toy cat that meows? Can't find something with decent reviews. I was sure furreal friends did one but amazon shows a sabretooth cat which he won't understand.

He loves animals in general too.
Hes into bumblenums from super simple songs atm too but again can't find 'toys' as such online.

Any other ideas?
No. I can't get a cat. As much as he'd love it we rent and no animals allowed.
Thank you

Have you tried Lego? My autistic ds loved it at that age and still does 15 years later. It has given him lots of joy and opens options for creativity and expression plus it's a great de-stressor. But beware as it'll take every spare penny you have if he likes it and you let it!

DDs 5th birthday this week and presents consisted of (boy suitable gifts):
A new bike
Biking clothing and new helmet
Lego sets (include Disney sets of favourite characters)
Various art sets
Books
Hungry hippos
Mario characters
Games for switch
Gorilla toy
Moving, barking small soft toy

Maybe a farm building and animals?

Bubble machine, hula hoop, sensory tent, lights/stars for bedroom. Really depends on his sensory needs.

My autistic child chooses cuddly toys by texture. His favourite are jellycats. I literally go into a shop and find the softest one they have.

He also loved old fashioned pegboards and hama beads at that age, starting off with giant Hama beads which we didn't iron, just let him complete the character shape over and over again.

Hexbugs too, they are a good follow on from train tracks but they were in fashion at the time.

Some ideas my 5 year old dd has and is/was successful!-

slime
playdough
air dry clay
indoor trampoline ( adult one)
lite brite
game of life
uno
dobble
magnatiles
clics
markers/crayons/pencils
fidget toys
guess who
orchard games
small teddies
lego
playmobil

Talking Tom cat toy (repeats whatever words/noise you say)

FurReal walkalots

My autistic son has loved playing with various construction toys like Magformers, Mobilo and Squigz

My older DS is 13 and also autistic and loves cats. He has a gorgeous moving fluffy cat toy that meows. It is like a little fluffy robot.

Quite expensive but maybe this (Amazon) - Ageless Innovation Joy For All Interactive Pet Cat - Lifelike & Realistic Companion with Soft Fur and Soothing Purrs, No Assembly Required - Orange Tabby amzn.eu/d/awfS1u0

What about a vet set for the cat?
Cat onesie
Animal encyclopaedia

Is he in to music? Some sort of musical instrument- keyboard, lyre harp, roll out drum etc

Get him whatever he is interested in, doesn't have to be toys. My neurodivergent kids have never been particularly interested in toys and people keep buying them as they think kids should be into them. Mountains of bloody toys that they won't play with or let me get rid of! They don't like lego sets as don't like to be told how to play, so won't follow the instructions. Sometimes they will free play with bricks and make their own creations. Book of cat facts or arrange to meet a friend's cat might be good?

Possibly a trip to a cat cafe if you have one near you as well for afternoon tea?

Ds is 13 and autistic.
for him his bubble gun has been he best present over.

if he loves animal teddies then I would look at getting some more of them. Ds has loads of sheep and reindeer teddies!

What sort of things does he like doing, aside from holding toy cats? It might help us make suggestions.

Items that play into his interests are more likely to be enjoyed, for example my brother was always turning taps on and was excited by toilet flushes so for a few birthdays we got him solar powered or plug in fountains, those tippy plastic things with coloured liquid in that beads up as you move it around, and when he was older (and a lot more responsible) lava lamps. He loved all of those and played with them way more that he would traditional toys.

Similarly he liked smooth and shiny things and 'treasure' i used to buy him tumbled rocks, glass marbles, glass beads. His favourite thing to recieve was spare change from different countries when people had been on holiday, I used to change any notes I had into coins before I came home so he could have a bag of 'treasure' to sort.

Other things that had been enjoyed as gifts was a hammock to take to parks (used especially at family bbqs and parties so he didn't have to chat to anyone)
A rain drum
A toy zipline (for sending toys down)
Audiobooks

Build a Bear do a cat you can add a voicebox to. https://www.buildabear.co.uk/stuffed-animals/shop-by-category/cats

These have been a hit with my autistic nephew.

[[https://sensoryhugs.co.uk/product/sensory-calming-koala-4lb/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QRxkOLVsW8ZxRhb6gdyvuOkJzTeG6ylZa9uqTHVu6G5u8tiCBG8qJEaAtCuEALw_wcB

giant slinky

i don’t know what his motor skills are like but if you do get a build a bear then it’s easier to activate a sound if they put the voicebox in the paw than in the stomach area.

@SpaceJamtart You sound like a lovely sibling.

Magnatiles. My DD has spent nine years using them to build stables/houses/etc for her teddies and other small world play animals. Countless other child and teen visitors have used them to build all sorts of things. Per year of use the best value thing I’ve ever bought!

@extramaturecheddarcheese
Lego is no go here as he puts stuff in his mouth too unfortunately but he's got bigger building blocks
Thank you for the suggestion

@Wellhellother
That's a really useful list. Thank you will have a proper look into what's suitable for him.

@2reefsin30knots
We did zoo this week and do get to local farm as much as possible.
Maybe those play tubs of farm animals??

@Ohdearwhatnow4
Hes got all of those.
I do feel sensory needs wise he's covered.
Possibly a weighted blanket but will have to look at weight recommendations.

How about a cat from 'build a bear' then you can buy clothes and accessories in the future?

A toy farm?

I like this one https://www.wickeduncle.co.uk/childrens-presents/farmyard-buddies

Loving the car related dead above. How about sensory floor tiles? My 8 year old loves them

I mean the liquid ones that are colourful!