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Gift for a 5 year old boy who has the concentration of a goldfish

10 replies

Alifemoreordinary123 · 18/01/2025 21:30

My DS turns 5 in a couple of weeks and I’m at lose for gifts. I need a few bits, grandparents are asking and there is usually a class gift from friends (around £100). My son adores animals, practical play (experiments, rock excavating, drawing etc) but has never played well with toys - he’ll tinker for 5 mins with a transformer, or a train set if it’s all set up for him, but otherwise has no sense of imagination or interest in emerging himself. He is not able to hold his concentration long enough to play a board game. He’s confident, bright and beautiful but like my shadow and needs a lot of scaffolding in his play. If you have a similar child, what are your stand out gifts? To help;

Things we have; train set, hot wheels, tonnes of games, jigsaws etc, magnatiles, duplo, footballs, yoto, soft and rubber animals etc

Things on the list already; stamp rockets, more books, a rock excavation set, a Velcro dart board, laser tag.

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BertieBotts · 18/01/2025 21:35

Does he have a bike? Would he get enjoyment from a membership to a local climbing place? These are things my 6yo enjoys who sounds similar (he has just been diagnosed with ADHD).

I would also look at experiment kits as long as they don't take a long time to set up and maybe a sensory swing.

Membership to some kind of zoo or animal park?

I assume from your post not mentioning them, you'd prefer to avoid things like screens/consoles for the time being?

Hercisback1 · 18/01/2025 21:40

Yoto cards
Days out / experiences
Activity books - they dip in and out
Summer toy - scooter or bike
Small lego sets to build independently
Dress up stuff
Nice felt pens and 'artists pad' which is used while I'm cooking etc in the kitchen so can talk about ideas but not play.

Alifemoreordinary123 · 18/01/2025 21:45

@BertieBotts thank you - he does have a bike - our challenge tomorrow is to get him riding it! I’m currently deep in exploring national geographic kits of various kinds, great idea. We do a lot of animal focused outings, but he also loves presents and is very much a quantity over quality kinda key. We’re fairly modest with what we get to be fair but I want to have a few things for him to open. Avoiding screens - he watches enough TV.

@Hercisback1 dress up is a great plan! He loves that funnily enough. He’s not good at activity books unless I sit with him, or Lego - he finds it really hard to concentration. But he will draw so extra pads, fancy pens etc are great ideas.

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cunoyerjudowel · 18/01/2025 21:46

Metal detector?

goingdownfighting · 18/01/2025 21:46

If he likes drawing then maybe a Spirograph set?

Alifemoreordinary123 · 18/01/2025 21:48

@cunoyerjudowel metal detector is genius 😀

@goingdownfighting will have a look. I’ve kept looking for my 8 year old and held off as they don’t get as well rated as they used to and I’m not sure he’ll manage it. Thank you!

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cunoyerjudowel · 18/01/2025 21:52

Worm farm would be my other idea

schwabeschimney · 18/01/2025 21:54

A Dino smashum by zuru. They are lot of money for what they are but my two got a fair bit for xmas and they were opened and played either first. The Dino excavation one with a brontosaurus inside was very good.

Also robo boats by zuru . We’ve had them since they were little. So much fun in the bath. Bath fun in general has been a big hit here. Geli baff and bubble wands from lush. Bath foam from home bargains.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 18/01/2025 21:55

Toni's box?

Alifemoreordinary123 · 18/01/2025 22:03

These are brilliant - I’m researching each idea, thank you! Who knew dino smashers were a thing!

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