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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask what to buy a 5 year old boy for Christmas?

30 replies

CakeMaker12 · 03/12/2024 08:53

It's been a long time since my DC were little. No idea what to get for 5 year nephew!
Does anyone have any great ideas?

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/12/2024 08:55

I’d ask the parents, but failing that, have a look at Wicked Uncle - you can search by boy/girl/age.

CakeMaker12 · 03/12/2024 08:56

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/12/2024 08:55

I’d ask the parents, but failing that, have a look at Wicked Uncle - you can search by boy/girl/age.

Thank you. I will look at that!

OP posts:
Tulip32 · 03/12/2024 08:56

Simbrix - my grandson loves them. Made in the UK too.

Hercisback1 · 03/12/2024 08:58

Magnet tiles, kids from 2 upwards love them for ages.

Hercisback1 · 03/12/2024 08:59

Lego is always a winner too.

Depending on the child, colouring book or activity books. One of mine loved these, the other didn't!

SunQueen24 · 03/12/2024 09:01

My son is 5. He loves Lego too! Do ask the parents though what his interests are.

PlantDoctor · 03/12/2024 09:06

My 5yo wants a marble run. They're not too expensive and can be expanded if it's a hit. I remember them being awesome as a kid!

ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat · 03/12/2024 09:09

Is the Christmas topic closed?

CakeMaker12 · 03/12/2024 12:34

Thanks all! Lots of ideas to run with.

OP posts:
JumpstartMondays · 03/12/2024 12:36

Hot Wheels
Transformer cars
Monster truck
Lego
Something Spidey / Spiderman

SatinHeart · 03/12/2024 12:37

PlantDoctor · 03/12/2024 09:06

My 5yo wants a marble run. They're not too expensive and can be expanded if it's a hit. I remember them being awesome as a kid!

This is a good shout. My 4 and 6 year olds play endlessly with theirs!

Whatshallwedohere · 03/12/2024 12:37

PlantDoctor · 03/12/2024 09:06

My 5yo wants a marble run. They're not too expensive and can be expanded if it's a hit. I remember them being awesome as a kid!

Omggg this was one of the worst gifts we received, it had 140 pieces - nothing worse. Sorry 🙈

PlantDoctor · 03/12/2024 12:47

Haha mixed reviews then @SatinHeart and @Whatshallwedohere!

sugarandplum · 03/12/2024 12:59

Just another note of caution on the marble run.

Lots are incredibly complex and tricky to build. My 5 yr old got one last year and it sits unused unless we rebuild it for her. It eventually falls apart (younger sibling / friends) and it's difficult to build.

You can get really simple ones which involve just stacking pieces - please don't inflict a complex marble run on the 5 yr olds parents 🤣🤣🤣🤣

SatinHeart · 03/12/2024 13:03

Omggg this was one of the worst gifts we received, it had 140 pieces - nothing worse. Sorry 🙈

Fair enough, but that's not unique to marble runs - most of the the other things suggested on this thread have billions of pieces too. I found magnetic tiles MUCH more irritating in terms of getting lost/scattered around the house. And then of course there's stepping on lego brick in bare feet...

madamehooch · 03/12/2024 13:09

Poo Bingo!

PlantDoctor · 03/12/2024 15:04

madamehooch · 03/12/2024 13:09

Poo Bingo!

My 5yo also likes this. Good for reading practice!

NoKnit · 03/12/2024 15:13

Whatshallwedohere · 03/12/2024 12:37

Omggg this was one of the worst gifts we received, it had 140 pieces - nothing worse. Sorry 🙈

I agree loads of pieces and just a constant mess to clear up. Ours was passed on pretty quickly

itsmylife7 · 03/12/2024 15:19

Speaking from experience....ask the parents.

Or you could just be wasting your money.

50shadesofnay · 03/12/2024 15:32

If you like the parents:
Magnetic tiles
Lego
Marble run
Train set
Football

If you hate the parents:
Recorder
Drums
Electronic beeping toys
Magic "mess free" kinetic sand
Hama beads

NameChange30 · 03/12/2024 15:38

Good idea to ask the parents what he likes, what he has already, if they have any suggestions. You could always think of a few ideas and run them past the parents first, if you prefer.

What's your budget?

These would be my suggestions:

  • Lego, not a set that you build - DC is always given these and builds them once and that's it - but a box of assorted Lego and maybe a book of ideas. or a gift card/subscription for Brick Borrow where you get a set and can then swap it for another.
  • Magnatiles, fun and weirdly satisfying to build and play with.
  • Yoto mini, currently £48 in the Black Friday sale... our Yoto players are brilliant, used daily and good for a large age range
  • new colouring pencils / felt tips - you can get some that are erasable, they're on my list to get for my kids - and a pad of paper. If he likes drawing you can't go wrong with that.
  • books
verabarbleen · 03/12/2024 16:47

My son is five he also likes Lego, he's asked for a ninja turtles toy, magna tiles are a good idea, and hot wheels/monster truck