Fun presents for boys who have outgrown toys (7-8 years)

[howardsway]

We have his main present sorted which is very practical but looking for ideas to ensure his day is still fun. He has no interest in sport or lego unfortunately (for present buying!).

He has a great sense of fun and LOVES Christmas but he's quite academic and alot of family have told me about great books they've found. He loves to read and will be grateful for any gifts but he has small siblings who will be showered with fun stuff and I think his morning could be a little flat in comparison.

Any ideas ?

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Hi! This thread is a little out of date. If you're looking for toy recommendations, take a peek at our roundup of the best toys for Christmas - as chosen by Mumsnetters. MNHQ

Have you looked at the Happy Puzzle Company? they have games/toys that are for more challenging, brain teasers, puzzles, etc.

www.happypuzzle.co.uk

Flying helicopter
Airfix kit
Art materials
Toolkit and big pile of wood!
Keyboard or other musical instrument
Top trumps
Hexbugs
Fishing rod
Sew your own teddy kit
Baking kit
Scooter
Board games

Are you sure he is too big for toys? Mine are 11 and 10 and still play with all sorts of toys.

how awful for you all that he has outgrown toys at 7

I would be careful not too get into a trap of not buying toys because he seems too old for them. he isnt. Im sure he may surprise you. you dont want them to grow up too soon and not giving fun toys may do just that. For example my sister

something like the Perplexus might be fun (it's a perspex ball with a marble on a maze inside)

Great start thank you!

I suppose when I say he's outgrown toys I mean he hasn't touched any of the toys he's had for a long long time and never shows any interest in anything friends still play with.

Remote control helicopter could definately be good. though...ooh or a kite. He would get into a kite too. He likes doing rather than any kind of make believe playing. We could play with these on Christmas day too.

Keep going folks....

My sciency son is getting an Airzooka (he saw one used during a demo at a science show). They look like fun.

He got an electronics kit last year, with snap on bits to make alarms, radios etc.

I debated getting him a Kindle Fire or mini iPad, but thought I'd save it for a year when I'm really at a loss .

I know it is sad. I'm a big big believer in encouraging playing. He was a huge huge toy fan but all of a sudden stopped.

He's very active though and not at all dull!! He likes charging around making up games which don't need any props and when I said he has no interest in sport, I meant the paraphenalia. He loves playing football and hockey but couldn't care less about teams, kits, annuals and etc.

Now I'm going to stop defending him..he's fab, just a bit challenging for presents.

Mine love archery, what about a bow and arrow?

remote control car or maybe the remote control helium shark that floats in the air. How about a woodwork kit or drawing stuff - spirograph, hornby train set.

Top Trumps?
Board games?

Has he got any stuff for fun outside? For example a pop up tent or a book on tracking and bushcraft.

Mine love archery too.

Tbh what would make dt2 absolutely thrilled would be a broken computer and a set of screwdrivers!

So far we have Lego, meccano, shin pads, mine also love anything science related, so experiment kits, etc. they also want a marble run, though not really sure why! They will get a few book sets. They like wimpy kid and Tom gates mostly.

The other thing we have suggested to them in the past is that they could have a course rather than presents, such as swimming lessons, golf lessons, etc, which they were quite excited by. Only works though, if they don't still think all the presents come from Santa!

Would he like a little survival kit?

Real Adventure den kit is good for that age group (DD loved hers), but a bit rubbish as a Xmas present because it'll be too wet and cold to use it for a while.

What about something like this

www.gltc.co.uk/den-kit/play-houses--and-amp;-wigwams/gltc/fcp-product/10000002098

Or this one (haven't compared the 2 cos on phone so they might be the same, although this one cheaper!)

www.happyfamiliesonline.com/2011/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=187:den-kit-from-millets&catid=46:products&Itemid=58

Science kits, telescope, box sets of books (book people & red house great for these), where's wally books (again book people have them online for £9.99 for the set), would he be interested in a ds? Bike? Scooter?

Hawkins bazaar have some great stocking fillers where I'm sure you'd find some stuff.

If he loves reading I'd get him a Kindle or a Kindle Fire or iPad mini.

Nerf guns.
I bet he'd still like Lego, just different Lego.
My 8yo wants the Minecraft Lego. My 12yo only recently bought some Dino Lego.

My DS has never been into toys (sorry - some will find this sad, but it's the way he is). However, he has played endlessly with this: this

Yoyo?
Magic set / card trick book?
2nd Science experiment type kit .... spycraft type kit ?

I'd say Nerf gun too. I'm shocked hes grown out of toys, my ds is nearly 13 and he and his friends still play lego and playmobil wars sometimes

More advanced marble run (there's one called Skyrail or something which is like a big suspension bridge), or there's one with a lift
Interlocking gear toys - we had a great set that made robots with motors that walked, but you can get funfairs etc
I guess if he doesn't like Lego he might not like K'nex - but he might
Does he like comics? Best present ever for DS1 when he was about that age was a Beano comic maker kit - templates, stickers etc. There are also supehero ones.
Someone else mentioned electronics kit; snap electronics are great.
Chemistry set (though I find they're all a bit boring nowadays; we used to have bunsen burners and asbestos squares in our bedrooms )
Nature things like ant farm/worm farm, where you send off for ants who tunnel in a feeding gel
Space things like telescopes, moon in your room, constellation projectors.
Microscope.
It's really tedious now mine are 11 and 14. DS1 just wants money or various expensive electronic items. DS2 just wants movie making apps or tripods...

Agree marble run or kinex. Airfix models?

I second the Airzooka, it's definitely a fun present. What about a box of practical jokes? Paperjams guitar?