birthday present for nine year old boy

[amateurmum]

My ds1 will be nine in a few weeks and am not sure what to buy him for his birthday. I've vetoed the playstation request and he seems ok with this but doesn't seem to know what else he wants.

Can anyone offer suggestions - I would love to get him a really good surprise. I can think of several small things that relatives could get him, but am struggling for a 'main present'.

He doesn't like football, enjoys drama and swimming, is an avid reader. He likes playing on the computer but I would like to get him something to encourage him into the great outdoors if possible! He has a bike and scooter.

hopeful bump

Heeleys (sp?) Great for exercise. Lots of websites sell them. If my 9 year old ds wasn't so mad on football he would have definitely got some, but got footy boots instead for his birthday.

How about a digital camera?
Or mobile phone with camera?
My son was 9 a couple of weeks ago and we got him a phone and he's out taking pics all the time!
He now leaves mine alone!!!

Why not a Playstation? As long as you hav rules about use they're fine imo.
Or a Wii? They're more interactive, less sedentary

If you are determined to veto the playstation, why not give him a home-made booklet full of 'day out tokens' - you know, a nearby theme park, a favourite museum, castle etc which he can 'cash in' at various points during the year. Probably you'd be going to these places anyway, but they love being able to choose. And it can be full of outdoorsy places, with the odd ice skating trip or fun pool place or summat.

nintendo ds

uch betetr htan a platstarion

we have all that stuff already. Now mine is desperate for an mp3

Ds is fab too, agree.

we bought ds who is 9 an mp3 player for his birthday in march. He also had a couple of talking books which he loves listening to (not really into music that much yet!) Could be a good idea if he is an avid book reader - not getting him out into the fresh air though i know

Thanks for the posts.

I really like the idea of heelies - looked them up on website and think he would enjoy those.

The voucher book sounds great - I might do that for a summer holiday gift for both my boys - I wonder if for a birthday present DS1 might feel a bit cheated as we would have to take DS2 and DD as well!

The reason I am vetoing playstation is that he already has gameboy (old hat I know) and plays a lot of games on the computer - not sure I want to increase the amount of time he spends on this sort of thing and am not convinced playstation would add much to his playing pleasure!

WII sounds great but I think they are a bit expensive.