Help! Ideas for DS 8 - b/day just before Christmas

[Ridingladybugs]

Hi everyone

My DS is turning 8 3 days before Xmas and I have no ideas for him at all!

His only hobby is drama. I really hate gender stereotyping but all his friends are girls really. He loves the ocean, particularly turtles and dolphins, cuddlies ( ‘cute’ stuff like squishmallows) and small world type stuff ( although playing with that much less - he was seriously into hatchimals for example). Loves jewellery ( but has a jewellery box), reading. Also into Roblox and minecraft but not in a major wanting stuff way. Loves reading.

When I ask him he has no ideas!

So far my only ideas are a bracelet making kit, have found a real Pearl in sea turtle jewellery thing ( this is the sort of stuff he loves!).

If anyone has any ideas I’d be really grateful ( part of the problem is most stuff he’d like is very pink themed - and whilst he wouldn’t mind a bit of this he wouldn’t want a load of stuff explicitly girl themed).

Think there is some kind of vr headset that has ocean stuff. Think it is called Oculus.

What about tickets to a show that he would enjoy?

Thanks - he actually asked for a VR but I think he’s too young?

yes tickets are another thing - he saw frozen and wicked and loved them. Might have a look, although all seem to be very expensive ( his dad is taking him to lion king).

Sea turtle experience at sea life (Manchester certainly do this but probably others too), national theatre play in a box and all about theatre book, disco beads set, eugy sea turtle craft, something cute from plushieshop.co.uk (boba tea plush top of my 9 year olds list!).

Minecraft Lego (my DS(7) loves this)

Books or book vouchers

Trip to Sea Life or similar with some money to spend in the gift shop

Theatre tickets/vouchers

Does he do drama lessons? If not would a term of those be affordable?

Minecraft/Roblox-themed items like books, duvet cover, board games, toys, figurines

A craft/jewellery workshop for kids

Underwater effect whale projector www.johnlewis.com/pabobo-underwater-effects-whale-projector/p5197657
Lego creator fish tank
Aquarellum Dolphins
Clockwork Soldier seascape
Roald Dahl Monopoly

Dolphin night light www.amazon.co.uk/Dolphin-Porpoise-Changing-Halloween-Birthday/dp/B07JH84ZKB
Jewellery and nails sticker book www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-Jewelry-Glitter-Sticker/dp/B007PQM8B6
Colour in top www.selfieclothing.co.uk/shop/colour-in-tops-sea-creatures/

Thanks all

He does do drama already - it’s his one activity.

Should have added he doesn’t like Lego! But maybe he would the fish tank and his brother could build it for him.

Turtle experience would be great - it looks like not available atm but coming soon so will defo keep an eye out for that

DD loved seeing Matilda and Mama Mia at that age.

Alexa and music subscription to enjoy in his room?

Magazine subscription
Sea life trip

I also have a drama mad DS (mine is just about to turn 10)! I've got him some related bits (he likes decorating his room with theatre / drama related stuff) - some posters, a clapperboard, a dressing room style mirror (Asda!), a tote bag from his fave musical (Matilda), a metal 'stage door' sign. I am also eyeing up a slot together pop up theatre kit. He also liked special effect facepaint one year (snazaroo I think?), and big set of polymer clay. I've also got him an avocado theme fake oodie (he also loves cuddly / snuggly stuff and has a good collection of squishmallows!), And he loves things like fairly lights for his room and his snuggle cushion for reading in bed (Dunelm).

Thanks everyone

@neonleopard - they sound very similar! He already has the fairy lights and snuggle cushion from dunelm 😁

This sounds v like my son who is about to turn 7. He also likes very 'girly' things and small world stuff. For his bday he is getting a two wheeled scooter from grandparents to replace the three wheeled one. And from us he is getting a small synthesiser as he loves playing the piano,. plus some art stuff and a new packed lunch box (he chose). But gifts that he has liked in the past include some of the less pink polly pockets, and also the Disney equivalents like this one:

www.shopdisney.co.uk/disney-store-belle-cottage-playset-disney-animators-collection-littles-460022080808.html?isProductSearch=0&plpPosition=71

He also likes sets of books like a box set of Roald Dahl, or Treehouse books or he really liked the Happy Families ones.

Oh yes and he would really like a microphone he can sing into and maybe it record him - need to look into this for him for christmas.

Posca pens and a bag of rocks are very popular with my dds, as is polymer clay.

Dd2 enjoyed a guitar and a mirror with lights around the edge (dressing room style) when she was 8 (the latter was white and gender neutral).

I've just bought tickets for Six which is touring next year as a gift for my dds - might be worth seeing if it is anywhere near you?

If your son is keen on turtles and jewellery, myfahlo.com sell bracelets that help the sea turtle conservancy and each one comes with a real sea turtle to track. So you get told the name and size and get a picture of your turtle and then you can track where it is swimming at any particular time on their interactive tracking map online. I bought some for our nieces last year and they all seemed to really like them.

Does he have roller skates? My DS(7) mainly rejects anything girly but he loves his light up skates and is learning a B.O.T.A. roller disco routine from his girl friends. Who all seem to be 7 going on 24.

Hi @Ridingladybugs
My DS birthday is 4 days before Christmas he will be 9 this year. Does your son play Pet simulator X on Roblox? My son loves similar things to yours such as squishmallows and hatchimals. He has asked for pet simulator toys so I’ve ordered these:
Pet Simulator Treasure Chest
Pet Simulator Eggs

Thanks so much for all the great ideas everyone - definitely some ideas he should like ( I think he does play Pet Simulator X - any kind of pet/animal aspect is exactly the sort of stuff he spends hours on online. On minecraft he spends a lot of time collecting animals too). And he’d love the turtle tracking jewellery.

@TheYearOfSmallThings - 7 going on 24 made me laugh.

His brother was so easy at this age by contrast - football, Lego and Marvel all the way!

DD's absolute favourite at that age was a (UHU low temp) glue gun! Kept her entertained for hours. Still does on a rainy day + contents of recycling bin.