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

[Swifey]

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

[RJnomore1]

I think it's because it's Down Syndrome not Downs but op you sound so happy and inclusive that picking up on that seems petty.

Can he join in fun things like decorating biscuits with you? I'll bet bubble wrap would be great fun!

My friend has a little boy with Down Syndrome who is younger but I hope just as loved by his wider family as your nephew.

[OhHolyFuck]

Those 'spaceman' blankets, like giant tinfoil, they give runners at the end of a race?

No idea what they're actually called but they're shiny and make really good noises when you crinkle them, think they're only a quid or two to buy

[WeAllHaveWings]

Sorry no idea for a pressie, I forget what they are like at that age and have a 3 year old nephew to buy for which is why I am lurking!

[WeAllHaveWings]

Maybe it’s the use of the word “but”, rather than say a comma. But I had to try very hard to find any potential offence........

[Catanddogmake6]

Would hiding chocolate coins round the garden (if dry) or house if not (although potential for chaos) and then having a search for them help him run off energy.

He might be a bit young for this or not interest him but making marzipan fruits is really cheap - all you need is a pack of marzipan and some food dye. Tips include sticking a clove in the top of the green or red "Apple" as the stalk and (you) rubbing the "Orange" over a very fine (nutmeg) grater to give it a realistic texture. Bananas are super easy - don't even need food dye.

My mum also has some small, cheap tinsel Christmas trees and some children friendly, naff, cheap decorations (the sort vetoed from the proper tree) all usually found in the pound shop. They love decorating the tree exactly as they want and then using it to decorate their room.

[Catanddogmake6]

There's a trend for making slime with pua glue -- loads of recipes online. Either that or old fashioned play dough with flour, salt etc and food dye so you can choose colours. Making pizza - cheat with pre bough bases if feeling lazy. Decorating cupcakes/ biscuits - those squeezy coloured icing packs are cheap and disposable. The Works and similar shops often have cheap craft activities with all the bits in. I'd also have a plan for what to do when he and your children are tired and over the edge - whether it's some cheap DVDs or something else.

[RhubarbTree]

The Singing Hands Christmas DVD is a massive hit in our house - fabulous Christmas songs supported by Makaton sign language. It will help with his communication skills as well as being hugely entertaining.

[MrsFionaCharming]

I’d be careful with a trampoline / trampette, I read an article recently about how a significant proportion of people with Downs have a defect in their neck and can suffer serious damage from trampolining.

[Catanddogmake6]

These colour in play house/ castle/ igloo etc kept my 3 and 8 year old occupied over days. Half price at Hobbycraft and so much play value for £6. It would depend if he liked colouring and your older children won't get cross if he's not in the lines. But it could be decorated in many ways - with stickers, cutting bits out of wrapping paper or different textures etc. It can also be his den and perhaps imaginative games if he likes/ is able. Perhaps colour changing light for inside, all those soft balls to make sensory inside.

[Hobbes8]

On the flashing lights theme, those finger light things are always talked about in the Christmas threads and they're dirt cheap and pretty good fun. They're little coloured LEDs with pieces of elastic to attach them to your fingers. My almost 4 year old loves hers.

I'm on the hunt for a cheap disco ball thing for her for Christmas. If I see anything good I'll let you know.

[KC225]

Flashing glow sticks on Amazon. Cheap as chips and fun as in they go off and try to find a dark room to 'flash' them in.

[BBQsAreSooooOverrated]

My 4yo dd is non verbal. She loves sensory play, play doh, water, coloured rice and those water beads. Also bubbles are a massive hit. She is also very active and likes bouncing so maybe a small trampoline or bouncy sit on toy?

[scrabbler3]

My boys liked the ELC Hoover at that age. Not sure if it still exists. Space hopper was popular too.

[Theseaweed]

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.

[Theseaweed]

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

[Annwithnoe]

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"

[Annwithnoe]

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

[bogiesaremyonlyfriend]

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.

[Swifey]

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

[Grimmfebruary]

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. :)

[tabulahrasa]

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

[PotteringAlong]

Yes to a bubble machine!

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

[Grumpyteens]

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.

[Swifey]

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

[Grimmfebruary]

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.