how to spoil ds for his 13th birthday after a horrible few weeks?

[healingqueen]

my ds turns 13 next month and im already thinking about it because honestly hes had such a rubbish few weeks i just want to make it really special for him

he’s likely still going to be in a cast for his birthday and still sorting his teeth situation so its not exactly the birthday i imagined for him. hes been really brave about it all but i know its knocked his confidence more than he lets on

hes not massively into big parties anyway and with the cast im not sure what he’ll be up to doing. he likes gaming, marvel, mario etc so i was thinking themed bits maybe but i dont want it to feel childish now hes going to be 13

i just want him to feel celebrated and he deserves it but we aren’t exactly rolling in it

any ideas for making a 13th feel special without going overboard? and also present ideas for that age? hes into gaming (switch/xbox), superheroes, lego, hoodies that sort of thing

experiences might be tricky depending on how hes healed by then but open to suggestions

just want to see him properly smile again tbh

Oh bless him. I guess he cant really do too much. My DS is 14 at the end of the month. He still wants lego (ninjago theme), but is also a gamer - minecraft, fortnite and ps5 spiderman. He's had a controller and headphones for birthday or Xmas over the last year. Also upgraded his plain joggers and hoodie to adidas (although he's not really into brands, just comfort). Hes also into his art so got a drawing tablet and some notebooks and pens for xmas. Not planning on doing anything with his mates this year, but think we may do lunch in town and an escape room as a family. Then cake at home. Think he doesn't want to much of a fuss as so not cool!

Thank you some good ideas all ive gotten so far are 2 comics but want to get more organised and to make his birthday special but it's hard as he might not be able to do a lot still and it's his dominant arm as well

Do you have any racing sim centres near you? Might be fun for a gamer if he is up to it. He'd need to be able to turn a steering wheel and press the pedals. Race a few friends or family, it's quite immersive.

Not sure if he is at this stage yet but savoury food has been a big focus for teen boys here. Fry up or bacon sandwiches for breakfast maybe, or McD's.

Tricky.

Are you able to have the day/ 1/2 day off work?

Is he in school that day or Easter holidays?

Do you have a gaming bus for hire locally? That was a big hit for a boys party! And by party it was just a fun session gaming with their mates and a pile of pizza.

Could you book tickets for legoland?
You could give him the tickets on his birthday but have it booked for a few weeks later so he has time to heal up first

If you shop at tesco their vouchers can be used towards the cost

Could you get a voucher for a gaming or arcade place nearby? Switch/xbox voucher? Any gaming books that might interest him? Greggs or Costa voucher to go with friends after school one day? Branded clothes? super Mario Lego?

On the day could you do helium balloons and banners to decorate and get lots of little things to bulk it out like hot chocolate mug, chocolate, socks, smelly stuff, Pringles, new phone case, new phone charger etc

Then for tea have his favourite food and invite his friends over if he wanted or have them do something in a few weeks, and watch a film with popcorn, sweets etc.

He may be able to do a virtual reality session if he's up up to it - maybe in a few weeks time. Have just seen your other thread so can see he's got a wrist fracture and facial bruising, so might not be able to do it yet as you wear a mask and hold a controller in each hand. It is fun though, and could be something to look forward to. Prices can vary - near Bristol it's about £30 for 30 mins. Maybe take a friend (cost dependent).

Is he into music? Gig tickets to see his fav band? Sometimes orchestras do "gaming nights" DS recently went to a "How to train your dragon" orchestral show and loved it.
Are there any gaming cafes near you? Maybe hire it out for a couple of hours so he can game right his mates, sometimes cinemas also do this.
Lego mindstorm kits (if you can find one) are amazing as they are programmable.
Is there an actor/ sportstar/ icon, who he admires? Send them a birthday card with a stamped, addressed envelope and ask them to send it to him.
Also don't forget a giant 13 balloon 🙂 and a crown! You are never too old for a birthday king crown.