What do 4-year old boys like?

[aiti72]

Hi, we're going to a 4th birthday party of two little boys (DD's school friends) who we don't know and are stuck with ideas for presents. I don't have boys myself, what is 'cool' in the eyes of a 4-year old today? Could buy something 'useful' but would like that 'really happy face' when they open the presents. Don't want to buy toy guns or anything like that (which make my 4-year old godson very happy) either as we don't know how against the parents would be. Any advice?

I have a 4 year old DS. His favourite thing at the moment is Playmobil and he is always very happy with toy cars. He also plays with Duplo and enjoys running around outside. Likes games such as Shopping List from Orchard Toys.

Cars, trucks, diggers, pretty much any vehicle in fact!

I'm with IdrisTheDragon - Playmobil is fab.

I'd also recommend some DVD's sold by Great Little Trading Company: Here Comes a Fire Engine, Here Comes a Tractor, Here Comes a Train and Here Comes a Digger. DS had three of them and they were firm favorites - pitched just about right for that age.

my 4 yo loves lego.playmobil/duplo (he isn't bothered by brand

cars the movie toys, trains, cars in general

games like pop up pirate

My 4 year old is still into Thomas in a big way.

We have here comes a train (DS got it for his third birthday) and it has been watched Many Times .

Train track - somehow I forgot about the vast selection of it in DS's bedroom .

One of his favourtie presents for his 4th birthday was a brio engine (a generic one) which was christened Rescue Train . Anything Thomas related is still loved.

Playmobil or lego.

Playmobil. You cannot go wrong with it.

The lovely thing about 4-year-olds is that it's still pretty much IT'S A PRESENT FOR ME CAN I OPEN IT NOW CAN I CAN I AAAAOOOWWW WHY NOT CAN I OPEN IT NOW? I CAN I CAN I CAN OPEN IT NOW HOORAY [rips paper] WHAT IS IT MUMMY WHAT IS IT CAN WE PLAY WITH IT NOW LOOK GRANDPA IT GOES 'KABOOM' etc which is very cool when you are the present-giver.

Do Not Go Educational.

I am now singing the song from Here Comes a Train. I think it may be in my head all afternoon .

Know what you mean Idristhedragon - I've had Fireman Ted, Builder Ted and Farmer Ted stuck in my head ever since posting.

Driver Ted, Driver Ted, the little bear with a sleepy head....

Now I can't wait to hit the toyshop! Thank you so much!!!

Get up! Get going and have some fun, Put a paw to the floor there's work to be done, Yeah!

Could possibly apply that to me - really need to be doing some work .

Star Wars Lego. Can't beat it in our house!

Mee too - must tear myself away from the siren's song that is Mumsnet and do something useful!

big magnet

Playmobil or cars/trucks. Personally I would say Thomas, Duplo and those DVDs are risky as some 4yos will have "grown out" of them..

Ds(4) is into Buzz, Superman, Transformers and Power Rangers. Go to a decent sized Tesco's and they have loads of great stuff. I bought a bug buble stick - it cost £2 looks like a Star wars light sabre, but is plastic and has a long thin plastic bubble making hoop inside. Ds and all his friends love it.