what do boys age 9-13 really, really want??

[takeonboard]

I have a few boys to buy for in this age range including my own DS age 10 who wants anything and everything from Superdry for xmas apparently ! But I don't want to get him clothes for xmas, so what does everyone buy for their boys of around the same age - it sounds like I don't know him well but he has suddenly reached that age where toys are 'babyish' so besides xbox games what is there?

Please tell me everything your boys are into then I can steal some ideas from you

A real helicopter Franca?

Of course

If you get the helicopter I wouldn't get the DS or Pokemon cards, that would be too much Franca.

Oh, but come on Sparkling, it is sooooo lovely to spoil them for Christmas....

The reality is that he is getting a nintedo, to share with his sister... we are heading towards disaster...

nerf gun
wii games
remote-controlled VW camper van
scalextric velodrome
Horrible Histories Annual
More lego
chemistry set
Crystal growing set

DSN only appears to want Lego Technic. We're getting him a fairly grown up 'how to draw cartoons' book and some decent felt tips, plus sweets, because the little lego sets don't cut it any more! Have noticed lots of my Y7 boys like drawing cartoons so hoping he'll like it...

What DS2 would like and what he's actually getting are 2 totally different lsits

He's getting
A new phone (luckily had a £100 argos voucher which I used as part payment for 2 phones for both DSes)
Harry potter complete box set
Mr Bean dvd set
Trivial Pursuit for the wii
Hoody
Only Fools and Horses dvd
guiness book of records.

Just turned 11 yr old here.

Star Wars LEGO
Mobile phone
Webcam and tripod
Animation software
Digital watch
'trendy' wallet
Loads of chocolate!!!

my DS is 11 and we got him a gaming chair, harry potter dvd that i wanted, football tickets, , some board games and clothes which he desperately needs but held off buying till xmas

omg i want ds would love a airswimmer, maybe I haven't finished xmas shopping afterall...

ds age 13 has asked for a huge bar of chocolate bar ,south park dvds and an android phone.

Argos don't have the fury fire nerf, I will pop to Westfield this week and check out Entertainer.
There are so many great ideas on here....I have just ordered the Ultimate book of Heroic Failures, sounds hilarious, if its as funny as the Amazon reviews say it as I will order 2 more - thanks for the tip!

I have just ordered that book too takeon . to Burnt

No one's mentioned Beyblades which seem to be a big thing here in France among boys this age. Are they terribly 'last year' in the UK?

They are still around sommewhere. My two DSs never asked for any. Pokemon comes and goes though. Just when you think it's over it's all the rage again.

sparkling we are buying identical xmas presents (when i find the Nerf guns)!

Although I may have to forget everything else as it looks like the xbox has packed up tonight, its 4 years old how long should they last? Does anyone know if its worth repairing?

he has been wanting xbox live for a while, so maybe its time to change as the new xbox console has built in wifi doesn't it? God I wish I slightly understood these things

Thanks so much for this thread! Can anyone suggest a great Xbox game for this age group in particular an 11 year old? i.e. not the 18 rated ones he actually wants that 'all his class have' (sigh...). We don't have the 'live' so am struggling to find something. They already have the Forza 3 racing game which is a hit.

Fifa 12 is my DS's favourite. he has lots of others but doesn't really play anything but Fifa 12!

best avoided ruby

DS plays with them at his friends houses. Well those that have them!

DS2 has asked for a nerf gun too. I'm toying with getting him one for his birthday in January. All his friends have one and he feels a bit lft out when they play with them.... but then I always said I wouldn't just buy something for either DS just because their friends had them

Dh wants a Nerf gun so he can join in.