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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

My nephew (aged 4 but non verbal with Downs) is coming for Christmas! Yay!!

38 replies

Swifey · 19/10/2017 08:32

He will be staying, with his dad my db, part of the time with me and my family and part of the time with my dm. He is very active and boisterous, so I need things that will really capture his attention. I have already bought him a special tablet for Christmas and he's had it early, but can you think of anything good that I can get from charity shops or is cheap that may interest him? I have all the usual stuff, as have ds2 and ds5, but some of it will have to be packed away (either because it's too small or too breakable). So any brilliant ideas? Tia

OP posts:
missjulia · 19/10/2017 08:36

I would change your thread title.

AgentProvocateur · 19/10/2017 08:38

If you've got an outside area, pavement chalk is cheap and good fun for that age group.

AgentProvocateur · 19/10/2017 08:39

And I don't see anything wrong with your title. Confused

Grimmfebruary · 19/10/2017 08:42

Would playdoh not entertain him? Or would he not like the feel of it?

Original poster
Swifey · 19/10/2017 08:44

Ooh yes, outside chalk! Brilliant idea, I have some really big ones, that are easy to hold but has totally forgotten about them, perfect! Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Swifey · 19/10/2017 08:46

Play doh?? I'm not sure I will ask, he does have some sensory issues around food, but not sure if that is also to do with touch. But another great idea, we have tons of that too.

OP posts:
totsalot · 19/10/2017 08:46

All the kids in our family go bonkers over a bubble machine, even the too cool nine year olds can resist it. Do you have a 'the works' shop near you? They had long character tubes of bubbles for 50p on clearance when I popped into ours on Monday.

The four year old who came to visit a few weeks ago really enjoyed getting stuck into DDs light up ball and her musical instruments, but that would depend on your tolerance for toddlers interpretive jazz Wink

No clue why the title is offensive tbh

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 19/10/2017 08:46

He is very active and boisterous,...

Have you got a trampoline? Grin

Original poster
Swifey · 19/10/2017 08:47

missjulia I'm not sure what I would change it to? It is what it is, I'm not being derogatory, I'm just saying a fact, which puts a docent slant on my question. Didn't mean to cause offence.

OP posts:
smartiecake · 19/10/2017 08:48

What does he like? Messy play? Sensory play? Lego type blocks? Dvd's?
What does he like doing at home? Try and get some of his favourite things in from home. Homebargains and B&M are good with toys and activities for younger ones. He will still want to play just find out what he is into

Original poster
Swifey · 19/10/2017 08:49

Oh yes, bubbles! He loves bubbles! Another brollianr idea!
Sadly no to a trampoline Sad

OP posts:
Cantchooseaname · 19/10/2017 08:49

Little trampette? If he's 'on the go' this could give him an outlet for energy without requiring an adult to chase?
Many of the children with downs that I have worked with have loved music- maybe an instrument box?
Large cardboard box with windows/ doors cut in- fun hiding/ peeking.
Balls. Big one (outside??), different textures, flashing ones.
Hand puppets? Lots of playful things to do with them- tickling etc.
Have fun!!

Crumbs1 · 19/10/2017 08:51

A bucket of water and paintbrush to paint garden fence or Wendy house ( if you have a wooden one)
Cardboard box and wax crayons.
Junk modelling.
Walks made into treasure hunts - collecting things to bring back and make into collages.
Dance and music videos - fun song factory etc.
Cooking

Grimmfebruary · 19/10/2017 08:51

Even if he's boisterous some DVDs he won't have seen before would be nice :) also if he has a scooter or something f he could bring with him, a family walk to the park might be nice (and a good way to tire all the kids out!). I love a good trip to the park in winter well wrapped up.

Bubbles are always cool though! And funky lights and a play tent are always cool to hide out in.

Original poster
Swifey · 19/10/2017 08:52

Thank you all for your wonderful ideas, you're all fab!

OP posts:
Grumpyteens · 19/10/2017 08:52

Miss Julia - why on earth does OP need to change the title? She sounds Really happy and excited title. OP obviously doesn’t get to see her nephew often and wants to make sure she gets the right kind of things to keep him entertained. Confused

PotteringAlong · 19/10/2017 08:53

Yes to a bubble machine!

have you got anything like this? Loved in my house by all ages!

tabulahrasa · 19/10/2017 08:53

One of those plastic seat spinner things that kept coming up in the Christmas bargain threads... I can't remember what it's called because it got called a dildo at one point and now I can't remember the real name Blush

Grimmfebruary · 19/10/2017 09:04

I'm not sure if this is a north east thing, but at Christmas we were all packed into the car to go driving about to 'look for some lights' - as in Christmas street lights/decorated houses, etc which was usually nice. Everyone loves Christmas lights. :)

Original poster
Swifey · 19/10/2017 09:26

Ah, I'm on those threads too, was is a bilbo?? Although it's always going to be a dildo in my head! Wink
I'll have a look at those magnetic building blocks too!
And Christmas lights as well, good plan.

OP posts:
bogiesaremyonlyfriend · 19/10/2017 10:28

Does he put things in his mouth?? If not you could get some if that expandable 'snow' and some Christmassy figures to play in it- think happy land do a set, or things you already have! If he does, maybe change to a white blanket or squirty cream if he can have dairy (and you're happy with the mess!!)
Can pick up a disco ball type thing cheap and have a Christmas song dance party!
And definitely a walk to see the Christmas lights. We have a Christmas tree festival in a local church so check out what's going on in your area that might be similar.

Annwithnoe · 19/10/2017 12:45

Try and get a good bit of time outdoors - walks or just pottering round the garden. My kids really benefit from time outdoors. I have no idea why, but it makes a massive difference to get some time outside.
Do you have a covered area outside? I have a small sandpit outdoors under a lean-to that they can play in on rainy days. Saved everyone's sanity at times and staved off a few meltdowns.

PS I thought the "yay" in the title sounded a bit sarcastic until I read the rest of your posts Blush

Annwithnoe · 19/10/2017 12:59

By the way, there's lots of fun stuff to do that you won't need to spend a penny on:

Scrunch up the wrapping paper into balls and throw it into a box for snowball fights/ toss the ball/ drop all the balls over your head games

A blanket draped over a couple of chairs becomes a play tent/ igloo/ magic cave/ retreat from noisy adults

Bubble machines are nice but blowing bubbles is very calming (all that deep breathing) and a great way to bring an over excited or over stimulated child down. And you can top up a cheap bottle of bubbles with diluted washing up liquid

Pop small toys (dinosaurs or animals) in a clear 2ltr bottle and fill 3/4 with rice and superglue the lid. As you turn it, it reveals different things inside.

Use a smaller water bottle and add water, glycerine and glitter and baby oil then superglue the lid. Shake it and watch everything settle. Again really calming.

With home made playdoh you can add texture (rock salt/ corn flour) , smell (edible essence) and hide wee toys inside.

Spray squirts cream onto a big plastic tray and "finger paint"

Theseaweed · 19/10/2017 21:15

What about one of those giant floor pianos? You use your feet to play it, run up and down it etc.

Theseaweed · 19/10/2017 21:17

Ps your title seems fine to me. You're putting the person, your nephew, before the condition. You haven't put my Downs nephew, which is offensive.