Technology-free main present for ds 12 & 13?

[reddwarf]

DS 1 is obsessed with mine craft and if given half the chance, would play it 24/7.

DS 2 is obsessed with his ipod touch, and if given half the chance, would play it 24/7.

DS1 wants a laptop, DS2 wants a Kindle fire. Obviously I don't feel happy with either, but have no other ideas, and nor do they. Ds1 is into fitness and wants a boxing bag, but dh has said no, as ds3 has one! So some other (not huge) sporty thing (for indoors?)

DOn't just want to give money. ds1 is 'grown up', ds2 still on the brink of childhood, so possibly still some toys - think he would like a nerf gun, but doesn't feel main present?

Thanks :)

Reddwarf,I'm having a similar problem but I have a 13dd and an 11ds.My son is also into minecraft to the point that I find myself taking away the laptop after school somedays as he would sit on it all night,cant be good for your health!The only thing he can think to ask for is a laptop (obviously to play minecraft on). I know it would probably come in handy for homework as he gets older,he also likes looking up you tube as well which Im not so keen on.I am not sure if like everything else eg/ collecting different cards,scooters,pokemon for ds that minecraft wont be a fad too come time. I go over the same thing every evening looking for ideas and cant think of any. Sorry I feel like I am just moaning on and not being much help.Is he into lego,we have tons of it but my ds says no one plays with it anymore.I saw a mini table tennis set on line that you could attach net etc to a dining room table or if you have big garage or space there are the full size ones. An all in one type games table or what about a guitar or another musical instrument, struggling to think of more sporty ideas especially for indoor, not sure if you could put a basketball hoop in a garage?What about an experience like a ski lesson,golf lesson,tree climb thingie( go ape i think its called),segway lesson,archery.um ... Im running out of ideas now hope you find something:)

Thanks anyway, it's do hard isn't it? I mean I could just think sod it and buy them both a kindle fire, sorted, but I need to avid screen. Lap top I think I 1 or 2 years, not now. We tend to do the activity holiday ( a weekend away with dad) as their birthday present, so would like to Ctuslly get a gift. Neither of them still like Lego. Would your ds like Meccano? My ds moved onto that from lego

Membership of a boxing club, decent gloves, shorts, handwraps and boxing boots? For ds1 at least?

I'm having exactly the same problem, your description of your DSs combined is my DS1 - given the chance he would play Minecraft 24/7 on his Ipod touch!

The only thing I can think of, and I'm not at all sure it's a great idea, is to go towards his interest in food and make up a box, with a good cook-book, maybe an apron if I can find an amusing (but not rude!) one and a sum of money set aside as a "budget" for him to cook whatever he likes? What do you think? Do your DSs have any interests where you could make up a main present by combining lots of smaller things?

I would go with what they want rather than racking my brain for something they dont want.

but they just want to sit in front of a screen all day! That's all they do now. (if I allowed them/if I'm not there) I don't think they need a different size/shape screen to add to it. Anyways, a laptop is way too expensive and imo he is too young for one.

There is no boxing round here unfortunately, and I would ideally like something he could unwrap, a decent sized present not just a gift voucher iyswim.

Something musical like a guitar or drums (and lessons) for DS2? Or maybe a strategy board game like Diplomacy, although if he wants shiny tech, a game would probably seem a bit disappointing.

What about a Gym membership for the sporty boy?

My 12 year old has asked for and is getting a technical drawing board and all the associated stuff. He is also into minecraft and is getting a gaming mouse to go with that.

to be honest with the one that is on the ipod all the time I would be tempted to get him the bigger screened Kindle Fire so at least he wasn't looking at something so small when he is on it.

Does the eldest have access to his own PC? Could you maybe get a better screen for it? skype headphone or something? I know you want to get them something to get them off screen, but if you don't get them anything that they want you risk wasting your money and having a miserable christmas.

We have a 2 hour a day screen limit in our house during the week and no screen before dinner on weekend nights so although they get longer - they have a screen free day.

A tent? A cool kite?

We are getting a Swiss Army knife, ropes, tarpaulins, camo stuff for the garden, (but mine is 11, almost 12).

Or a skateboard or scooter?

Stunt scooters
BMX bikes
Go Kart
Table tennis stuff that you can use on the dining table
Designer clothes
a Tent/sleeping bags etc
Trampoline

I'm afraid this is the age of shiny tech. That's all my 13yo DS wants too. In his defense he does play a lot of football, so I don't resent his X-Box downtime too much.

I had thought about a tabletennis table, one that can be left outside. The only other suggestions he has made are clothes.

beachy - great minds eh!

There are some great ideas here, only having 4 kids we have so much stuff. Dd3 has a stunt scooter (which he never touches) so dh would never agree to another, and ds1 was last year Masai Walt into skateboards, and has 2 already. Ds1 plays the drums (and has a drum kit) and ds2 has a guitar and goes for lessons (and moans incessantly about practiaing).

Grandad bought the 4 dc a trampoline last year. (It IS brilliant).

What is this gaming mouse for mine craft? We 'only' have The family laptop. Maybe the kindle with bigger careen after all. Dh against though, as while ds1 sits in sitting/ dining room (contamlry) playing mine raft, ds 2 tends to hole himself up in his bedroom all alone with his iPod.

Anyone know where I can get a monkey onsie for 12 yet old? (Ds 2 turns 12 the week after Christmas, so have double present headache for him!)

I guess some tech ok, but uncomfortable about too much screen addiction.

How about a boxing speedball? I really want one. Proper ones are pretty expensive - definitely a main present, and with the boxing bag you already have, it would make a proper training session.

Or you could get him a proper set of dumb bell weights on bars.

Depending on how much space you have in your garage how about a pool table or ping pong table? Or baseball net to fix up to the outside of the house.

Or a kayak and membership to local rowing club?

Kayaks - they keep appearing on the Amazon black Friday deals.

I don't think there is a particular mouse - just a general gaming mouse - they come in all varietys and prices - also saw a game pad thing that I thought might be good - I had ordered a gaming mouse but now looks like it wont arrive until the new year so I'll have to cancel and find another.

The son that is really into drawing also wants a graphic tablet for the pc which you can use to draw and makes editing photos etc easier. However, both boys have their own PCs - they were much cheaper than a laptop - bought 2nd hand for under £100 on ebay and they have upgraded as required with extra RAM and graphics cards etc. - it's not the amount of tech they have that is the problem, it's setting the limits for how long they are allowed on. Difficult I know, but it is a great bargaining tool when you need them to do chores etc. No1 son also does a lot of socialising with his school friends on Minecraft - they all talk on skype and play together so whilst it would be nice if they met up in RL, it's a good way for them to get together in the winter nights.

There's a Lego Minecraft set for around £35 on the Lego site.

www.jinx.com/shop/coll/minecraft/?lang=en-IE is he into clothes yet?thats the minecraft shop some figures and branded clothing there also the Lego you could wrap up a bundle of it mind you some of it seems pricey

www.jinx.com/shop/coll/minecraft/?lang=en-IE
try again

wow, well thank you very much. I didn't even know you could get minecraft stuff. Will def get some of that. ALthough I didn't want tech, I had a lightbulb moment (ds1 spent the entire weekend sending sms, suspect girl!) he would be delighted with a new mobile - he left his out in the rain and it never recovered, so he's had a 15 pound totally basic model for a long time, so he would be thrilled with a new phone.

But ds 2 still a problem. I think the kindle fire will be good, but dh vetoed it, so dunno 'bout ds2?

Bunnygotwhacked - have you got any of those minecraft t-shirts. I was going to order each of my ds one. I have a very small 9 year old, but the shirts are size 6-8 or 10-12. I stubble with buying my 9 year olf a size 6 tshirt, but assume the 10 to 12 will be mahoosive. So - how does the sizing come up - on the small or the large size, do you know?

i've bought minecraft t-shirts on ebay a couple of times- and you can ask for measurements from the seller if you are unsure.

I'm buying my 12yo a series of sailing lessons. She wants a dinghy really but has settled for sailing lessons til she's quite a lot more competent.

That's a cool idea. Bet she'll love it.