7-8 year old boy - £40 budget

[Survey99]

My MIL has asked what to send her 7-8 year old grandson this year (that for various reasons she doesn't see so doesn't know what he is into).

I was thinking for that age group lego would be a safe bet? Any recommendations for specific sets around £40ish? Are Star Wars or Mine Craft too old still?

Or any other present recommendations for this age group?

It needs to be posted so Amazon or somewhere else with a gift wrap service would be good.

Minecraft Lego is lovely and my two loved minecraft

I would go with minecraft lego, or ninjago lego, or possibly hot wheels track and cars.
Nerf guns are also popular.
Have got a 8 year old DS. Will look for some lego set numbers to give ideas.

Minecraft lego would be winner with my 7 almost 8 year old he has a couple sets..mario lego is also really fun

I'd go with lego, I found the age on the box was a bit higher than it should be, ds had a 7+ star wars set for his 4th birthday.

21185 - the nether bastion - minecraft
21189 - the skeleton dungeon - minecraft
71769 - Cole's dragon cruiser car. Ninjago
All under £40, and most are avail in argos, smyths toys as well as online. The Dog man books by dave pilkey are also popular here if have spare budget.

I'd go with with star wars lego rather than minecraft, especially if it involves a vehicle. Those are fun even if you haven't seen star wars yet whereas the minecraft lego only looks interesting if you're a minecraft fan. Lego City ia great too if you want to avoid the branded themes, or the 3 in 1 kits.

By 8 my kid didnt play with toys anymore it was all console games and sports stuff.

Non of my 3 are even remotely interested in lego, neither was I or DH as kids (my friends kids dont play with lego either) so I never get why thats always trotted out as the perfect gift for all.

I would actually be irratated at being sent a box full of tiny plastic shards that will end up all over (when the kids curiously tip it out to see what it is) and not really serve any purpose. Its like the boy version of being glitter bombed only it hurts more to step on.

For physical toys Nerf guns seem like a safer bet as even older kids and adults can get caught up in shooting each other lol.

Robux are always an sought after gift by DS friends.

Was all set for Minecraft lego (thanks for the models @Topbird29 ), but take the point if he isn't playing the game he won't appreciate it.....if I remember correctly his parents were gamers so it is likely he plays them too .........hmm

I've raised a son but I think I am finding this difficult as ds was not into these things when he was 8 as consoles were not as popular for younger kids back then (think we had the original Wii with Wii sports and mario kart in the living room that only got played with once or twice a week), we didn't have smart phones or tablets yet either and I don't know what this kid is in to.

ds did love nerf guns (foam bullets and water) in the summer, but not sure I'd tell MIL to buy them for someone else's kid, you know how some parents can get! Guns!! 😱

Googled Robux and it looks like gaming gift cards, but don't know if he plays that , or any games.

Ds was given a nerf gun by a school friend but it wasn't used much. Never much interested in sports either, except his bike/scooter. Very very into lego from age 4 to 8, but I couldn't afford kits challenging enough after that, the ones I could afford were built far to quickly to be worth the money. Still regularly played with what he had until age 10. He started to play pc games at 8.

Can your MIL find out more about her GC?

Looks like Robux only work on Roblox? DS has never used that. He's always used Steam to buy games for the PC. You'd need more information on the child I'd say.

I have 6&8 yr old boys and they like:

Minecraft
Lego (nearly all kinds including Harry Potter, but not really the Lego friends stuff)
Football (younger one mostly)
Hotwheels (especially the mario kart ones)
Top trumps
Pokémon
Atlases!

I would say for parties and things we usually gift Lego as it's mostly well liked (if we don't know what else to get) so Lego gets my vote.

If she knows where they live, and there is entertainment stuff nearby then maybe bowling or trampoline park vouchers?

Obviously if you don’t know what he likes it hard

Lego, could be sold on with little to no loss. Star Wars and Minecraft definitely not too young for this age.

If parents are gamers then I would definitely assume he is. Roblox is popular at this age, but again if parents are gamers he may well be into more “advanced” games. My 8yo DD loves Roblox but will occasionally play Fortnite with DH and 10yo DD. Never liked Minecraft but my older DD did.

My 10yo DD has asked for Mario Cart for her switch, also very popular and they also have Mario Lego which is also popular.

I can’t see gamers having an issue with nerf guns given how many games involve killing and shooting.

Is there any way you could find out if they have gaming consoles? You can also buy V bucks, which is money to spend on PlayStation games.

Safe bet for me would be clothes to be honest, next size up in case he’s big for his age and go with something popular, Roblox, Minecraft or any gaming type hoodie or Oodie, or Nike, Adidas branded clothes. Sports Direct vouchers may work?

Id also include a gift exchange receipt.

Will the gift even be accepted given it sounds like there is little relationship there? I refused gifts sent to my DDs from estranged grandmother.

My 8 year old likes (in your price range):
Remote controlled cars/helicopters
Skateboard
Nerf guns

He really doesn't like Lego and is always disappointed when he gets some.

So you just can't tell.

A fun board game could be good - my 8 year old adores Jungle Speed for example

My 8 year old likes (in your price range):
Remote controlled cars/helicopters
Skateboard
Nerf guns

He really doesn't like Lego and is always disappointed when he gets some.

So you just can't tell.

A fun board game could be good - my 8 year old adores Jungle Speed for example

I’ve bought this sink ‘n sand game for my son who is 8. It’s only £12.99 so you could get this and then a smaller Lego set to go with it.

Link fail, it doesn’t like the Amazon link for some strange reason. Here it is on Argos but it’s on Amazon for £12.99
www.argos.co.uk/product/4469197