Present ideas for children that are NOT TOYS

[Pruhoohooohoooooni]

Someone on another thread suggested getting my ds a dustbuster so he could help with the vacuuming. He would LOVE this so we have decided to get him one for his 3rd birthday.

Also thinking about a real digital camera - a cheap one - because he goes mental over ours and is totally capable of operating it.

He has tons of toys and a big family who will buy more.

Are these terrible ideas? And any more ideas for real things that we could give as gifts, especially things that need him to work out how to do it - he's very analytical.

i bought my 6yr old niece an ikea 3 drawer thingy and loads of sample paint pots from b&q to decorate them herself, she did a fab job.

also took her to art cafe to paint a jewellery box.

big hit one year was a cheap chair bought from ikea which i painted her name on and some flowers, i am not at all arty but it looked ok and she loves it.

Haven't read all the threads but if you are considering a digital camera what about some good photographic paper and a nice album to print and put his piccies in. Will give him a sense of 'achievement'.... ??

If you're thinking of getting a digital camera, try price-drop tv and bid up tv.

They sometimes have them for approx £30 including memory card and sometimes software as well.

Or you could get a cd player and some story cd's.

If he likes science what about a trip to a science museum? There's one near us (Bristol) that's brilliant for kids - really interactive.

What a great thread...we have got my 3.5 year old son a cd player with microphone (elc) a couple of cds, some sticker books (which he adores)some play doh and walkie talkies (also elc). He has so much stuff, its obscene.....am asking other family members for either clothes, money for his CTF or books. Its easier for older kids I think as you can get them sciency things like telescopes and microscopes. Cant wait till mine is old enough!!

ours love the kits you can get in shops (if anyone is near Kingston, there's a very good shop in the Bentalls centre on the 1st - might be 2nd? - floor called Fun Learning which sells a lot of stuff like this)

their best kits have been

little tool set for digging up fossils (have been meaning to take them down to the coast to use this but so far, we have just been digging in the park/garden!)

exploding volcano set
paint your own mugs/plates type set
sewing kits (to make clothes for a dolly)
make your own wind chime etc. etc.

What about a metal detector? They have children's ones in Boots at the moment. Have bought one for DS1 and I know he is going to love it. Hope I don't end up with too many holes in my garden though!

Tescos have an Explorers Set on sale at the moment - telescope and compass - for £1.98. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

brightminds.co.uk have some interesting bits. They do toys but have lots of science type stuff. They also have those learning to tell the time watches which I think are great.

if too young for binoculars, a magnifying glass is very popular. My local pound shop has some great ones with a big handle and a compass.
we grew ladybirds in our kitchen this year with a kit from these people . They were great, really interesting.

you can buy caterpillars from great little trading company and a place to keep them. they turn into butterflies and you set them free. the following year if you want they will send you more caterpillars - it is much cheaper the 2nd year as you dont need to buy the container to keep them.

A home-made voucher for a trip to a pantomime or a child-friendly museum or zoo.

Try www.idealpresent.co.uk

Sorry - I can never get the hang of how to do the link! I hope this works!

www.idealpresent.co.uk

For cowmod and alessi..
\link{http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/mood-beams/index.html}

In case this link doesnt work-It sells similar lights for £9.95 called Moodbeams and thats what i am getting my lot!

Damn! Why does it never work???