Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

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

Original poster

Ideas for 11yo boy

37 replies

CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 07:49

I’m a bit stumped for ideas for my so this year. I’m actually after some suggestions from presents from grandparents as my Mum is asking me. I don’t want more ‘stuff’ as he’s never really played with toys. He’s very sporty, loves football but also most sports really, he has a PS4 but I don’t know what games would be good (he’s asked for FIFA 20 but it’s overbudget for my parents...any other good games he’d enjoy?), he’s getting tickets for a football match from us and Hype clothing, maybe board games, or good books for his ages? But any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 07:55

Should have said that he also has his birthday (11th) before Christmas too so looking for ideas x2!

OP posts:
longhaulstress · 24/09/2019 08:00

Experience days? Like the young 4x4 drivers afternoons (virgin do a few different ones)

Or a cinema gift basket e.g some sweets/choc and a gift card to whatever your nearest cinema is.

Stadium tour of his fave football team?

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 24/09/2019 08:01

We have exactly the same issues!
DS wants a watch, a new tennis racket and kit, clothes...

Twisique · 24/09/2019 08:04

Hockey stick

Saisong · 24/09/2019 08:15

Pop-up goals
Escape room voucher
Penknife
Binoculars
Potato clock
Exploding Kittens game
Rubiks cube

wonkylegs · 24/09/2019 08:22

Last Christmas we got DS a huge box of books he's a massive reader but they still lasted him up to the end of the summer
He also got a new bookshelf for them and we upgraded his desk & got a storage locker for his sports stuff.
I checked what he had and hadn't read through school and then looked up the best recommended books for his age/level and also listened to him when he chatted about favourites

Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 09:11

Fabulous ideas here, thanks so much! Love the idea of a cinema basket and the stadium tour. New tunnels racket or hockey stick are good ones too.

What’s a potato clock @Saisong? Could be interesting as he likes science stuff.

@wonkylegs, how old is your DS? If he’s a similar age, could you recommend any books that he particularly loved?

I’m also wondering about a PS4 game that the whole family can play together...like a driving game or a golf game? Any good ones that I could look into?

And board games...I’m wondering about Risk, Battleships or Labyrinth? Would an 11yo like these (I don’t really know the games well myself!)

OP posts:
Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 09:11

*meant to say tennis racket!

OP posts:
Saisong · 24/09/2019 09:22

Potato Clock My daughter used one for a science fair and tested all sorts of fruit and veg.

We have Labyrinth, it is a good game for all sorts of ages to play, but I'm not sure it would have that much appeal to an 11yo. My 10yo loves Risk, but he struggles to get the rest of the family to build up the enthusiasm! My kids are getting Carcassone or Ticket to Ride as a joint present.

markymarkandthefb · 24/09/2019 09:32

My 10 year old has asked for a phone, a pair of Nike air max and some war hammer figures (all so bloody expensive 😂)

Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 09:34

Thanks@Saisong. That potato clock looks like a perfect stocking filler so that’s going on the list!

Good to know about the games. My parents have ticket to ride but I don’t think we’ve ever actually played it. Will have a look at Carcassone.

OP posts:
Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 09:36

Yes, my DS wants a phone but I’m holding off till secondary school. He is also the world’s most disorganised and forgetful child and loses everything so I just can’t trust him with a phone yet! The trainers are a fab idea...isn’t there somewhere you can design your own? Although probably way overbudget!

OP posts:
Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 09:41

Eek,yes! Way overbudget!

OP posts:
BeaLola · 24/09/2019 10:27

My DS was 11 just before Christmas last year. He did get PS & had FIFA 19 as was the latest then as joint present from relative for both events - would that work on the budget for FIFA 20 ? All I would say is that my son who gets limited screen time loves it & has played it so much it was worth it.

Another thing he received for Christmas was the GoogleHome Mini - I bought it when on offer at J Lewis for £29 - even I liked it so much I bought one for my husband. DS uses it for alarm , playing music, asking it things & doing quizzes - it was well worth it.

Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 10:35

@BeaLola, we did that last year for DS and DD....got them the PS4 which came with FIFA 19 and bought another game for DD and yes they both love it. He now wants FIFA 20 (is there likely to be much difference from FIFA 19?) and we’ll probably get it for him either for birthday or Christmas...I meant it was overbudget for my parents as they have 9 grandchildren to buy for so they generally spend about £30-35 each.

Will look at the google home mini, thanks.

OP posts:
BeaLola · 24/09/2019 10:48

No idea on the difference between the 19 & 20 although my son is so keen he has saved all his pocket money to buy the new version :-)

Tickets for a different sporting event ? DS has enjoyed the stadium tour he did even though it wasn't the club he supports.

Depends on your location - my brother bought a go carting session for my son as online he found a large track within 30-40 mins of us - I think the session cost £30/£35.

How about a driving lesson - some places do those if you're 10+

Its hard as my DS doesn't do toys either & lots of experiences are expensive. Treetop walk ?

BeaLola · 24/09/2019 10:52

Magazine subscription - like Four Four Two - 5 issues for £5 & then remember to cancel the subscription unless you want to keep it up

Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 16:43

Magazine subscription is another great idea for him. Thank you. This morning I was completely stuck for ideas and I really feel like I’m sorted now! I’m now going to post similar threads for my other two children!

OP posts:
TantricTwist · 24/09/2019 16:53

If he wants FIFA20 get him FIFA20 and don't waste money on unneccessary stocking fillers put the money towards what he wants.

That's one thing I have learnt over the years, less is more if it's what they want and costs the same either way.

As for PS4 games you can all play we love 'Hidden Agenda'

Original poster
CoffeeChocolateWine · 24/09/2019 16:58

Just googled Hidden Agenda but it says age 16 and over so not suitable sadly. But thanks for the suggestion.

OP posts:
Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 24/09/2019 19:21

I’ve got the same predicament for my 11 year old nephew. Would Lego be out? I was thinking one of the technic pieces like build a sports car?

BeaLola · 24/09/2019 20:01

I think sone 11 years old absolutely love Lego , others like it - my DS is in latter category - he prefers active with the exception of PlayStation and FIFA . If you can ask the parent - they will know how popular Lego is with their child .

Going back to ideas - voucher for laser tag or archery season would be in price range mentioned

Starlight456 · 24/09/2019 20:09

This thread has reminded me my Ds had a potato clock last yeR mo idea where it is and has never seen a potato.

My Ds had a camping chair, named cup for camping ( scout)

Look at exploding kittens for games it is supposed to be good and new.

My Ds also had Alexa

This year (12) he is having books, electric guitar and exploding kittens .

He loves a novelty onesie.

Starlight456 · 24/09/2019 20:10

My Ds would have no interest in lego.

Starlight456 · 24/09/2019 20:12

On magazine subscriptions my so has the week junior and does read it every week