A parcel for Y8 and Y10 who are isolated from family

[CharlesAnton]

I'm afraid I can't share much information but hoping to get some ideas and advice from you wise and kind-hearted people.

I like to send something to cheer up a Y8 and a Y10 boys who are stuck in a place in the UK, away from family (and from their country) due to the lockdown. They are in a safe place yet they have to spend most of their time alone in the bedroom. They have remote lessons in their bedroom. They also have large outdoor space so probably go for a walk in the private land sometimes.

They are my DS's friends and the idea of sending something to cheer them up came from him. At first, we thought to send them a parcel filled with sweets and biscuits, then DS suggested we could also add sudoku or something - something they could entertain themselves when they are really bored or feel lonely. They have devices for online stuff, but it would be nice for them to do something away from the screen sometimes? They are from China and the US respectively. Books may be difficult at least for one of them as he prefers reading in his language.

Could you pick your brain for more ideas on what to pack in the box for them?

What about a game like Dobble?

What a lovely idea.

How about a puzzle, like the classic Rush Hour or anything from Thinkfun.

Depending on their interests maybe mindfulness colouring in, or some outdoors game?

Omg, that’s heartbreaking. Are there no local families they could stay with?

Are they at a boarding school?

Uno is good too, a selection of different size rubics cubes,
A marshmallow toasting kit (with burner and marshmallows).
The tennis ball on a headband thingy....that you punch. (Boxing reflex ball)
Set of walkie talkies
As the weather improves a fishing set - if there is anywhere to fish.
An outdoor survival kit with a fire lighting set (flint, wool etc)

(My eldest 13 would like anything slightly dangerous.....so blades, fire, sparks etc go down well!!!)

Thanks for the ideas. A selection of different size rubic cubes sounds good as they can be played alone.

They have no local families...

I have a y9 boy and y10 girl but y9 boy is ASD so probably likes different things to normal. Would both love things like hot chocolate, chocolate, Pringles, biscuits, cake, fudge. DS loves things like fleece blankets and cushions and teddy bears/animals but is young for his age. He loves maths and suduko, likes the UKMT Maths books, bouncy/squeezy balls. DD likes art kits, sewing, decorative lights (Dunelm do things like llama lights for £5 to decorate room), fleece blankets. I'm sure they will be very happy to know someone cares enough to send things whatever you send though.

Thanks. I added chocolates, pringles and biscuits. I'm sure they have all they need like a blanket etc from their family, as I would make sure mine would if he was in their situation. But as you say, Silkiechickscat, the main reason for doing this is to show them they aren't alone and there is someone who is thinking of them. It's such a tough time for everyone, but my heart particularly hurts for young kids in this horrible situation. They were away from family over Christmas/New Year.

Try looking on somewhere like happypuzzle.co.uk. Lots of rubix cube type of puzzles and games that don't necessarily need a good grasp of English.

This is a lovely idea OP. Those poor kids, it’s heartbreaking.

Some fab ideas already but stuff my DC have enjoyed that might also be worth considering

• wordsearch or puzzle books, especially in relation to a favourite game (ie fortnite, minecraft etc)
• fiddle toys or similar (mine all had “gamer putty” in their Santa sacks this year which went down well).

I’m sure they’ll love whatever you put together for them.

The Pokemon card game is really good.

Comics?

Pack of cards, some poker chips, and sygggestion of card games like Newmarket? Or genius square on happy puzzle is good. Maybe if there creative some good quality paper and paints ?

Card games etc. are good if they’ve enough people around to play them with.

A small jigsaw, one of those ‘impossible’ type pattern ones? Obviously wouldn’t want one too big as guessing not much space in their rooms.

How lovely of you!
The IQ Puzzler Pro by Smart Games is very popular with my two.
A magnetic dart board
Randall Munroe's 'What If' & 'How To' books

If they are into computers & programming try the BBC micro:bit. It's a bit of an easier raspberry pi and the version one to buy is the V2 which is available from a website called Pimoroni which my DS's IT teacher tipped me off about
You don't need the starter kit - just the V2 which is £13.50 and a micro USB cable which they've probably already got or Pimoroni sell one along with a battery pack for £3.50. If they are into that sort of thing it would keep them going to ages. Pimoroni is then a treasure trove of add ons if they like it and want to explore further.

More expensive are the UGear or Robotime wooden kits from Amazon - they are absolutely gorgeous.
The 3D Treasure box is lovely and the marble runs are spectacular. They'd just need a candle to wax some of the joints when making them.

If they've got access to a large outside space the Nerf N-Strike Mega Thunder Bow Blaster is brilliant - makes you feel like Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games. One can shoot and the other one catch
It's discontinued now but you can pick them up really cheaply on eBay

And a really good frisbee ring

Labyrinth is fun and doesn't require any knowledge of English/cultural references.

Jolly socks?

Are they able to cook? A baking set and recipes might be fun

Exploding kittens card game

Jigsaw puzzles 1000 piece Gibson ones are great. Really absorbing and take a while to complete

Yahtzee game

Banana grams

Origami paper

poker set and chips (with instructions)

@Mumdiva99

Uno is good too, a selection of different size rubics cubes, A marshmallow toasting kit (with burner and marshmallows). The tennis ball on a headband thingy....that you punch. (Boxing reflex ball) Set of walkie talkies As the weather improves a fishing set - if there is anywhere to fish. An outdoor survival kit with a fire lighting set (flint, wool etc)

(My eldest 13 would like anything slightly dangerous.....so blades, fire, sparks etc go down well!!!)

Some good ideas although not sure the survival kit would be if they are boarding- knives and the like are not great things to be sending into school

Can you send several small parcels over a few weeks?

All great ideas, thank you so much. I like the idea of sending small parcels over a few weeks. It actually works better as I'll use several suppliers. I was going to repack them in a big box once they all arrived but instead, I can just arrange each parcel to be delivered directly to them over a few weeks.

I now know there are three more kids being stuck there so five in total between 12 to 16yo, boys and girls.

Just arranged the first parcel to be out. There aren't anything precious in there. But hope it'll brighten up their day a bit.