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Christmas

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

Original poster

Christmas for 10-12yr old boys. What's your biggest success story "toy" wise

54 replies

Courtney555 · 04/09/2018 18:36

Think the title says it all really. What has been the biggest success of a gift that you've given to a just below teen boy. Looking for inspiration and perhaps some more unusual "big hits" because I can't handle another lego set in this house 😁

OP posts:
itbemay · 04/09/2018 18:37

Xbox games... sadly

sleepismysuperpower1 · 04/09/2018 18:54

perhaps as a shared present- a nintendo switch? they are very very popular. you can get them second hand on preloved.co.uk . good luck

Reaa · 04/09/2018 19:02

Xbox one, IPad Pro, Iphone 7 and a signed football shirt.

Original poster
Courtney555 · 04/09/2018 19:08

We've got a switch, a wii, an x box one, tablets, pc.... All of which he has lost the use of because of "misconduct online" so he's not able to have anything electronic or computer game related 😁

OP posts:
Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 04/09/2018 19:11

That's a tough one, my eldest will be 10 at Christmas and he's already got all of the above but he's not into toys at all anymore. He's not into Lego anymore either.

FaFoutis · 04/09/2018 19:13

Nerf guns and related items.

Original poster
Courtney555 · 04/09/2018 19:36

I'm ordering some guns. He had a nerf gun aged 6. Within 5 minutes he had shot me in the face three times and one over the hedge, subsequently swallowed by their dog. It was binned 😄 hopefully at 10 he'll aim at his buddies and the targets...

OP posts:
FaFoutis · 04/09/2018 19:44

I got mine the version with balls, plus facemasks (and a massive safety lecture). They are supposed to be for 14+ so the element of danger made them more fun.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 04/09/2018 20:11

We're struggling here a bit too, but thankfully Lego is still a thing.

I'm looking at things like tripod for making movies with iPad, a beanbag was popular at birthday time, board games, top trumps cards.

What about experience type presents? A voucher for go ape or go karting or something?

SagelyNodding · 04/09/2018 20:15

Ds1 (11 at Christmas) wants a green background thing for making videos. Does your Ds like that sort of thing? Mine is quite geeky...
I'm finding this age v difficult to buy for!

Original poster
Courtney555 · 04/09/2018 21:03

Love the green background idea. He can use a camcorder too, and can probably get away with having that under his computer ban.

I was looking at the virgin young driver experience, they can drive a lambo which he'd think was cool... But the downside, it's a voucher gift, and not so fun to unwrap on Christmas morning when it's not happening for a few weeks after.

OP posts:
FaFoutis · 04/09/2018 21:07

My son likes doing animations, he uses stickbot figures. They are reasonable and in boxes to unwrap.

AlwaysPottering · 04/09/2018 21:29

Stunt scooter, skateboard
Drone
Magic tricks set

Waterlemon · 04/09/2018 21:32

Last year we bought Lego mad DS, Lego boost. He’s played with it a lot. Was expensive for Lego but it has been well used. There are quite a few models that can be made with the set.

Unfortunately for you, he will need a tablet to use it. All the building instructions are on an app, then once built you use the app to program and control the model. (Not all tablets are compatible- although it works fine on our kindle fires)

delilahbucket · 04/09/2018 21:42

My ds was ten earlier this year. This year he's wanting some Beats. I've said if he definitely wants them he won't get much else because they are expensive, but he's at the point now where lots of toys are pointless. He does like arts and crafts though and for his next birthday I will be getting him a driving lesson (he does go karting so this is right up his street).

bangourvillagebesttimeever · 05/09/2018 06:59

For my DS it was the Chelsea football kit and a stunt scooter. He also got a large/TV PC screen that works with his x box that he got last year. Good set of speakers was a must too when playing on his xbox with a mouth piece so he can talk to his friends online. He does have an iPod however he has his own phone now and we have family Spotify on that. I am keeping an eye on this thread as I am looking for some ideas too. My DS is 11

Allthatglittersisgold · 05/09/2018 07:03

My son hardly plays with toys anymore but we got him a toy wrestling ring last year with some figures and he loved it. Also board games go down well with him. A football or basketball, with a net or a kickmaster.

rosy71 · 05/09/2018 07:09

Ds2 is 10 and wants a camera and tripod for Christmas. Ds1 had one a few years ago. A new bike went down well. They both have a man Utd shirt every year!

fraggle84 · 05/09/2018 07:37

Smyths sell nerf electronic targets! Definitely worth getting to save attacks!

stellabird · 05/09/2018 07:38
  1. Ask what they want.
  2. Give them what they want.

Success every time !

Tiggles · 05/09/2018 07:59

Rubber band powered aeroplanes
We do have a big garden but they have been a massive hit.

WaxOnFeckOff · 05/09/2018 08:24

Something for outside? Scooter, basketball net, plastic crossbow, tent/survival kit, pogo stick.

KC225 · 05/09/2018 10:02

Agree with fafoutis above my 11 year has had a Nerf second wind. He and his sister got his first a 6 but lost interest after a while. He had been watching YOU TUBE reviewers of big NERFS. He nowhas a couple of weapons of mass destruction and in the summer had a Nerf gun battle which was one of the best parties we have ever had.

WaxOnFeckOff · 05/09/2018 10:06

My DS got a book called something like badass Lego guns. It was instructions to build guns using mainly Lego technic and elastic bands. He made some crackers but we did end up having to order in some individual parts to get the right pieces as he had less technic than normal Lego.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 05/09/2018 17:06

what about an instant table tennis set? www.wickeduncle.co.uk/presents/boys/age-12/instant-table-tennis

or if you have room, a real table tennis/ air hockey table? you can get them second hand from somewhere like ebay or gumtree.