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Christmas

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

Presents for an almost 4 y/o who doesn't like toys!!

68 replies

Tigersteakpie · 13/11/2021 09:27

My wonderful DS2 will be four in late Jan. He is a great kid but he doesn't really play with toys in the traditional sense. His brother likes Lego/duplo/cars so much easier!

What does he like? He likes role play, his favourite game is running around the house pretending to be Bluey/Pikachu/a dinosaur.

He absolutely loves making dens and hiding in dark places with a torch. We often find him in cupboards 🤣. This is along with pretending to be on adventures, his second fave thing to do.

He likes bags and things he can put things into. He runs around with a rucksack and puts toys into the rucksack, but he doesn't play with them for long. Little pots and boxes are always a hit.

He does quite like little dinosaur toys/figures but he has lots of these.

We have a toy kitchen which he enjoys and all the paraphernalia.

He loves to climb, swing & play outside. If he's not running around the house on some adventure, he's outside making potions or having an adventure on the climbing frame.

All the toys I see - paw patrol cars, marble runs, Lego, he'd like them a bit, but they don't tap into his real interests.

So I need out there presents, for a role play, den loving, active little pre schooler!

Hit me with your ideas!

OP posts:
Tigersteakpie · 13/11/2021 09:28

Oh he does like to draw/colour/paint/do stickers (it's all he'll do if we need him to just be still)

OP posts:
MrsLargeEmbodied · 13/11/2021 09:30

do you have a teepee?
dresing up clothes?

Daisy829 · 13/11/2021 09:34

Sorry for the long links! Dr zig bubbles and the national geographic volcano kit are my suggestions

foxgoosefinch · 13/11/2021 09:35

Swingball set?

YorkieTheRabbit · 13/11/2021 09:36

Teepee/ indoor camping tent.
Projector torch

LowlyTheWorm · 13/11/2021 09:40

If he likes the kitchen could he enjoy a Melissa and Doug set like the pizza making one or the ice cream parlour?

What about a hammock if you’ve room for an indoor hanging chair one?

A den kit to make outdoors? Or a decent pop up tent that can be used outdoors?

Binoculars and a bird book?

A pokemon trainer belt and cap and some pokeballs

MisgenderedSwan · 13/11/2021 09:41

An adventure kit? Rucksack, water bottle, snack pot, book of maps, notebook + pencil and gloves + hat set? All put together to be 'his very own'

Little tool kit so he can 'fix things'

Little pop up tent and sleeping bag to put up in the garden for adventures - during the day (small proper pop up tents from decathlon for about £20)

New wellies, compass, binoculars

Tape measure

Easel plus paint set for use in the garden

MisgenderedSwan · 13/11/2021 09:42

Mud kitchen

Tigersteakpie · 13/11/2021 09:51

BINOCULARS are the best idea so far! He would also adore a tape measure.

He would love a mud kitchen... We do t have much space but I might have a look for a smaller one.

The others are brilliant too, but he has indoor teepees/tents/ice creams/den making things already.

OP posts:
OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 13/11/2021 09:55

A slack line?

Bug hunting stuff? You can get kits with tubs and whatnot and magnifying glass.

If you go on the insect lore website you can get kits for various beasties. We've raised a fair few caterpillars into butterflies.

NoDecentHandlesLeft · 13/11/2021 10:02

He sounds really fun, OP!
The Science museum has a gift shop: shop.sciencemuseum.org.uk so you may be able to find something there?

Aposterhasnoname · 13/11/2021 10:05

Dinosaur costume

www.bmstores.co.uk/products/kids-dinosaur-dressing-up-costume-326837

Wainwriter · 13/11/2021 10:07

A spy kit? We have one with night vision goggles and a voice recorder etc. Mine also loves filling a bag with 'stuff' and going on 'missions' and he loves it!

DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 13/11/2021 10:10

Both my boys are a mixture of your two sons OP
Binoculars have been an enduring favourite as well as children’s telescopes

Another suggestion is walk-in talkies which can be great fun and be used to communicate with your when he’s off and about on his house or walks / day our adventures!

Also I have some nice small canvas bags and print off sheets with woodland images on from the internet they and their sister love doing these nature walks and collecting them they press them afterwards and make pictures with them

DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 13/11/2021 10:11

If he likes reading you could also try a bookabee subscription. I started one for my eldest son when he was four and a half they’re age and reading grouped plus they get to pick their own. Each box comes addressed to them with stickers and activities in

Crumblinginside · 13/11/2021 10:13

I was coming on to say mud kitchen but see its hers.

Teepee tent
Astronaut suit (think h&m have one)

Mine is slightly older as similar and he also likes art kits and build a bear type of activities

SleepyHeadWithMessyHair · 13/11/2021 10:14

Does it have to be a toy or an object? How about experiences? Family theme park/advanture park? Or as he likes the kitchen, Bakedin has junior boxes, maybe he would enjoy making things with you for real?

Crumblinginside · 13/11/2021 10:15

If you don't have much space I would get lots of dressing up gear.

Would he like nerf guns? They can be mounted to a peg board

Scanner20 · 13/11/2021 10:16

He sounds amazing OP, he has a great imagination and sounds so much fun.

Fossil dig kits, kinetic sand Dino dig.

Explorers role play kit

MerryMarigold · 13/11/2021 10:17

Does he like playdough? He sounds fantastic. But also (reading between lines) will need to learn how to sit and focus st times for school so activities which encourage this are great. Mine used to love making playdough cakes. I would get birthday cake candles and glitter decorations. You can also get playdough sets with animals etc. It's so good for fine motor skills too.

drinkwithanumbrellainit · 13/11/2021 10:21

The meli and ro potion kit is great.

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