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Christmas

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

Creative sets for boys?

34 replies

yeekls · 26/10/2023 11:50

I've noticed there are loads of good creative sets for girls, I'm thinking things like www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/arts-crafts-and-music/crafts/craft-sets/clementoni-pen-creator-studio/p/227211 and the Style 4 Ever ones.

Anyone know of any that are a little more gender neutral? I know, I know genitalia doesn't matter but my son is 10 and he'll be slightly self conscious if it is very "girly", but he loves making things. I might be able to swing this pen set but just thought I'd try here first.

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Forgottenmyphone · 26/10/2023 14:44

My dc enjoys:
Water marbling
teifoc
Animetrics

Forgottenmyphone · 26/10/2023 14:50

Also:
Etch/scratch art www.therange.co.uk/arts-and-crafts/kids-arts-and-craft/kids-art-sets/kaleidoscope-etch-art-creations/?position=4&s=842446
Clockwork Soldier papercraft kits

JarOfRocks · 27/10/2023 18:22

Slightly different, but my 10 year old son loves warhammer models. You cut out the plastic body parts, glue them together and then paint them.

CoffeeChocolateWine · 27/10/2023 19:14

Is it arts and crafts he enjoys or making things? There are lots of 'make your own robot' type kits if that's the kind of thing he likes. My son did a brilliant hydraulic robot arm thing a few years back...that was from Menkind. There are lots of other model type kits there too.

But if it's more arts and crafts, then how about a paint by numbers, tie dye kit, or marbling? I bought my 11yo daughter a resin keyring kit for her birthday which is great fun and not especially girlie. There looks to be some cool diamond art keyring kits on Amazon with more 'boyish' designs (footballers, football kits, Star Wars etc). Any good?

CoffeeChocolateWine · 27/10/2023 19:17

Or rock painting?

17caterpillars1mouse · 04/11/2023 10:49

You can get things like pokemon paint by numbers. I've seen them on amazon

Highlyflavouredgravy · 04/11/2023 10:56

Bombs and knives are what boys get to be creative with??????

Danascully2 · 04/11/2023 11:01

Just don't touch aqua beads with a bargepole - my son was given some once and was keen but they were the most ridiculously fiddly things I've ever come across...

Danascully2 · 04/11/2023 11:03

He was also given a make your own pinata kit once - he's not crafty at all so didn't make it but it definitely didn't look girly.
(And I know what you mean - my son likes some not very typically boyish things but still wouldn't want to wear pink...).

TakingTheHorseToFrance · 04/11/2023 11:06

My boys love airfix, revell and tamiya sets. There are some really easy starter kits. Mine love the army ones and rally cars

yeekls · 04/11/2023 11:41

Bombs and knives are what boys get to be creative with??????

Oh please you're preaching to the converted. My son would love to make bracelets, Pens, stickers, but all these things are laden with pink, girls in all the pictures and just very deliberately aimed at girls.

Things like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scrapbooking-Accessories-Customize-Favourite-Possibilities/dp/B0C86N4L14/ref=mpssa111sspa?crid=375IFVD78NXEZ&keywords=style+4+ever&qid=1699097953&sprefix=style%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1-spons&spp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OFG-232-Gluestick-Multicoloured-Studio-OFG232/dp/B098T4S62X/ref=mpssa112?crid=375IFVD78NXEZ&keywords=style+4+ever&qid=1699097953&sprefix=style%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-2

But he's nearly 10 and knows that those items are not designed with him in mind and he'd be self conscious about it. I'm not saying they should make them fire themed, but some gender neutral options would go down well in this house!

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yeekls · 04/11/2023 11:42

Thank you, we do have air fix and Warhammer (more so my eldest, who actually isn't overly creative himself actually!) my youngest loves stationary type things. I remember having a sticker making machine when I was a child, I loved that, I will see if they still do it!

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yeekls · 04/11/2023 11:43

And painting by numbers is a great shout too.

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ICanSeeMyHouseFromHere · 04/11/2023 12:03

Aldi has all sorts of craft kits on occasion, that aren't covered in pink etc.

Over the past year I've got my youngest paint pouring, basket weaving, felting, some kind of keyring making thing, and we've skipped crochet, macrame, and I can't think what else. It's worth swinging by every now and then to see if they've got anything interesting in. Lidl the same (although they seem to have more painting by numbers, and less of the crafty stuff)

Shelby1981 · 04/11/2023 12:09

Have a look on the Baker Ross website, loads on there and the packaging is very minimalist without pics of girls or boys etc.

I'm planning to buy the pen making set for my 7 year old son who loves stationery, crafts, etc.

He's also asked for a jewellery making set. We're very big on, toys are just toys, colours are just colours, people can wear or play with whatever they want, but yeah it does frustrate me that the craft stuff is SO very pink/"girly"!

yeekls · 04/11/2023 12:23

@Shelby1981 it's frustrating because on the one hand I do press on them not to worry about gender, and all toys are for all kids etc etc, but he's not daft, he can see when something is clearly aimed at girls and I understand questioning yourself as to why you want something that isn't aimed at you!

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yeekls · 04/11/2023 12:23

And thank you I will look at the pen making set as that was what set me off on this journey!

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Shelby1981 · 04/11/2023 12:24

yeekls · 04/11/2023 12:23

@Shelby1981 it's frustrating because on the one hand I do press on them not to worry about gender, and all toys are for all kids etc etc, but he's not daft, he can see when something is clearly aimed at girls and I understand questioning yourself as to why you want something that isn't aimed at you!

Yes, yes, this exactly!!

Shelby1981 · 04/11/2023 12:28

Some more ideas:

Shrink art
Friendship bracelets
Air dry clay or polymer clay
Origami
One of those 3D printing pens?

lemmein · 04/11/2023 13:23

Second Baker Ross, I buy their kits for my DGS and he loves them.

Hobbycraft do quite a few craft kits too which aren't pink and glittery!