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Gift ideas for gaming obsessed DS 11, thats not gaming related!!!

13 replies

staydazzling · 25/11/2019 12:22

Hi is anyone in a similar position this year, ive asked him to try and think of non gaming stuff, with little success, hes aspie so think tunnel vision. but im concerned gaming stuff is expensive and its one if thode interests that only gets more expensive, and me and dh are concerned about the bar getting too high as he gets older. Hmm any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
Greenvalleymama · 25/11/2019 12:40

A junior driving experience? W've just booked one for our DS (13) via Groupon, he gets 6 laps of a race track in a sports car for £42 (or you can buy 4 laps for £31). Age 11-17, no experience necessary.

I'm also getting him Strike Laser Tag Guns, which I know he'll love. He's really enjoyed Battlefield Live if you have one of those nearby, or paintballing etc?

He's also having some clothes, North Face and Hype hoodies, jean joggers from H&M and a fluffy onesie from Asda direct.asda.com/george/kids/onesies/navy-fleece-fairisle-christmas-onesie/GEM716071,default,pd.html?cgid=D25M1G1C15

Its hard when all they want to do is game, I'm trying to show him that there's more to life!

HoHoHolyCow · 25/11/2019 12:42

I have a nearly 10 yr old aspie.

He loves 'strategy guide' books to accompany his games - would that be any good?

Board games - you can get (e.g.) Gamer's Edition monopoly (or ordinary monopoly. My son loves the Pokemon version). Cluedo, Pictionary, Articulate.

What about a popcorn maker/slushie maker/waffle maker?

An Echo Dot with music subscription?

soupforbrains · 25/11/2019 12:47

It's hard to suggest non-gaming related gifts for a child i don't know when all you've told us is that he loves gaming.

Is there anything else at all which interests him even slightly? It might help us come up with some more suggestions for you.

My DS (12) also loves gaming and I am buying him some things which loosely relate to gaming, (socks with a joke about gaming on them, a T-shirt from the merch store of a gamer he loves, strategy books on the games he loves) but mainly he is getting non-gaming things. I am buying him vouchers for paintballing, go-karting and indoor skydiving, as well as lots of books because he loves to read.

Also, which games does your DS like most? It might help us identify other gifts he might like.

PhantomErik · 25/11/2019 12:49

Gravitrax marble run looks really good.

Snake puzzle has kept my 10 & 9 year old amused for ages! You can look on you tube to find different things to make like a ball, cobra, dog etc.

Room things like duvet cover, rug, fairy lights, cushion, poster.

Funko pop figures

Any sports equipment? Football boots, swim kit etc

Adopt an animal that comes with information/newsletters

Magazine subscription

Annual pass to local trampoline park/lazer tag etc

Lego?

LoisLittsLover · 25/11/2019 12:50

Escape room voucher

staydazzling · 25/11/2019 13:14

Sorry soupforbrains youre right, 0 interest in sport, likes reading, notebooks stationery, it irratates me how much stationery is aimed at girls Hmm, lego, he does have a phone so maybe phone accessories, slushie maker! great idea! many other great ideas thanks

OP posts:
soupforbrains · 25/11/2019 13:26

Ok great, that gives us some room to play with.

What sort of books does he like? My DS is an absolute bookworm so I have a whole host of recommendations I can make on that front!

With regard to Stationery, Smiggle can be a bit pricey but tends to have some ranges which are 'boyish' and they sometimes do bundles which are better value for money. Paperchase also do some good pen sets which are quite neutral on the gender front.

If you're looking for a bigger gift them maybe a Kindle and a subscription to Kindle unlimited would be good if he's a reader? Lego is always a winner, perhaps go for some of the lego Technic stuff as he's getting older?

Also I would suggest board games, Some adultish ones though, like Settlers of Catan or Carcassonne, which are classics. There is an incredible board game called Volcano Island Countdown which I've played with a range of ages of kids and adults and everyone has enjoyed it, it's a great game as all players work together to beat The Game however the timer/countdown can make things a bit tense so depending on how your son copes with tension and time-pressure may or may not be right for him.

If he's in Minecraft then there is a pretty good Minecraft card game which would maybe be a good bridge into the world of table top games rather than video games.

If he hasn't already read them then the Usborne Puzzle Adventure books are great. These ones not the young puzzlers as they'll be too babyish for him.

If escape rooms sound good then take a look at Escape room games which you can do at home and many are really great.

Gotmyprincecharming · 25/11/2019 13:28

Maybe a Rocketbook type notebook if he is into that kind of stuff. I ordered one from Amazon today for my 13 year old DS. Was reduced to £12. It's a reusable notebook that you can wipe clean or upload the writing/drawing...a sketch set/art set if he's into drawing.

Apileofballyhoo · 25/11/2019 13:30

DS is not into sports either OP. Lego and gaming themed books. He loves the Guinness book of records, and the gamers' edition. What games is he into? A friend gave DS a minecraft fortresses book that he loves. DS also likes games themed clothes, accessories, mugs, quizzes, stationery, plush toys. He likes board games too. Mystery books go down well. Lots of games have an annual.

DS also loved karting recently, he went with a friend. Activity vouchers of any type?

staydazzling · 25/11/2019 13:53

thank you some brilliant suggestions,

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horseymum · 26/11/2019 08:15

Rubik's cube- my son is 14 and still loves his, you can watch you tube tutorials and get really fast. They have just brought out some other models too.

Hoppinggreen · 26/11/2019 09:28

Book wise my 10/11 year old boy loves the Young Sherlock series

ihearttc · 27/11/2019 19:06

What about a drone?

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