Christmas presents for a reception age child!

[Dancingdinosaurs88]

My eldest turns 5 in a couple months and started reception last September.

About to start Christmas shopping, and he’s still very much in to the plastic tat he sees advertised on TV though VERY in to his arts and crafts too.

I’m looking for recommendations for fun but educational (or at least through provoking) gifts for his Christmas!

We are considering a tablet as his main gift, though unsure as we don’t want it to take over. He currently uses ours for half an hour or so each day.

My 5 yr old is the youngest so we have what feels like everything. We’re getting a code mouse set from learning reources, 2 wheel scooter, ceebies magazine and some tat.

A desk and new craft activities- children learn so much from being creative.

You can get dinosaur models to build and paint and learn about dinosaurs same with all animals really.

A map which he can colour and you can talk about the countries.

Clay and make clay models to paint.

Lego and construction sets- or mechano

Hama beads
A cogs set
A basic electronics set
Marble run
Jigsaws

I absolutely would not get a tablet. It will make your lives hell. We will only had one at that age for travel (trains, planes) and just having it in the house was enough of a nightmare.

We always do books and clothes, then get a few things he will enjoy. Art stuff is great. Sports or activity related things - scooter, bike, skateboard, football, archery set, whatever. Lego is great if you can store it away between using. Things that can be used up - those dinosaur eggs you hack into, a geode set, bath bombs, etc.

Don't get the tablet.

Box of mixed legos
Magnet tiles
Bike/scooter/skateboard
Craft box with lots of crafty things and supplies
Lite Brite
Board games
Books
Yoto player
Makedo cardboard tool set
Experience gifts

Expand things he's already interested in whether that's Hot Wheels, Lego, Brio etc etc.

If he doesn't already have a yoto I'd get one of those in favour of a tablet

I've a son the same age. He loves Lego and anything car/vehicle related. Not sure what to get him yet but we're considering a Yoto mini as his main gift. Like you, I'm keen to avoid plastic tat. No way I'd get him a tablet (but then he's never used one - something I feel quite strongly about but that's just me - so has no interest/expectation of one).

We've got our 4 year old (5 in April) a tablet and the edurino games for it. They look really good so hope they go down well.

Big fans of the Tony box over here.

Other recent hits for my 5yo:

Colouring set
Lego
Blo Pens art set
Kid's camera

Lego
Magnetic tiles
Hama beads

Something for the garden - tree house/swing set

Ask his teacher what he enjoys at school - they might have some fab construction resources that you haven't heard of.

Definitely don't bother with a tablet.

Thanks all for the ideas. He does already have a Yoto and loves it. When I did the research it trumped the Tonie, so highly recommend it

This has proved a huge hit in our house (November birthday), if he likes Spidey at all: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/brand/marvel/lego-marvel-super-heroes/lego-marvel-10791-spidey-and-his-amazing-friends-spider-mans-team-mobile-headquarters-set/p/215740

Magna tiles marble run