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Original poster

Gift ideas for DS 7 yrs with ASD

36 replies

Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 11:12

DS turns 7 in June and the only thing that he wants is Skylanders. We have got this for him.

However my parents aren't into buying bits of plastic (as they call it) to get extra Skylanders. I'm looking for more ideas so that my GM can get him something as well.

However DS has so many toys that he doesn't play with.

He loves Superheroes - has ALL of the stuff but doesn't play with it.
He likes Bakugan - has around 50 - doesn't play with them. He just has them.
Likes cause and effect toys as he doesn't have to play with them MIL is getting more marble run. We have Toy Story Action Links already (these are great BTW).
Hates Star Wars.
Has cars - doesn't play with them.
Likes any sort of console type thing - we have them all and many many games. PIL wouldn't buy these.
We have lots and lots of lego - he doesn't construct by himself. He even has the very expensive Lego train set. Doesn't play with it.
I think that what we need are more cause and effect type toys where he doesn't have to actually play as he can set them up and then press one button....

Any ideas thankfully received.

OP posts:
UnChartered · 06/04/2012 11:51

it's a long time snce i've bought presents for 7yr olds of any 'blend' but didn't want your post to go unanswered - how about perpetual motion 'toys'?

Original poster
Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 14:03

Thank you. I had to google that to find out what they are! That looks a good idea. :)

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Eliza22 · 06/04/2012 14:36

Well, I'd go with the Skylanders. It IS and asd trait to "specialise" and if that's what he's asked for....thats what the boy would appreciate.

My son is now 11. He's HF asd with co-morbid OCD. We've done Thomas the Tank, Mr Men et all. It's now Cars 2 die cast cars. When he collects, he collects!! I used to fight it in order to broaden his interest but we had loads of toys untouched (some unopened, I have to admit) and what he loved and cherished were is "topic of the moment" toys.

Original poster
Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 14:41

Yep, you are right. We've done cars 1, Ben 10 etc etc. It is just my parents like to get him a "thing". I wonder if there is a handbook or similar for Skylanders. My aunt gave him a Bakugan handbook for Christmas and that went down very well as he could write his lists of his collection over and over.

This is a very new dx to us although we were pushing for it for months. I guess now everyone can see that there is a reason for the obsessions/collection/lack of play maybe they will be happier just to get him what he likes and is able to play with.

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EllenJaneisnotmyname · 06/04/2012 16:07

What's he like with funny facts books? My DS loves 'How much poo can an elephant do?' and the others of that ilk. Guinness book of records, Ripleys top ten of everything, there might be a top ten gamers version I think. Not his current obsession, I know, but GPs usually like books, don't they? Tis educational. [buwink]

Original poster
Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 17:25

EJ He might like some of those.

Today's random question was who would win between a crocodile and a lion. We then had to watch a video about that, and then a wolf vs a cougar, etc etc. He might quite like a Guiness Book of Records I always used to love the competitive eating.

Every night I have to "enjoy" his Marvel and DC Encyclopaedias with him Grin. Thank you!

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moosemama · 06/04/2012 19:23

Do you think he might possibly like

Ds1 likes them because he can set them off and then squat next to the arena and watch them go. He loves watching them spin and bump off one another.

You need to buy an arena, but they don't cost much and then you can collect different beyblades with different strengths, like stamina, strength, speed etc and try them out against each other. Sometimes ds just likes to set one off and watch it spin endlessly around the arena though.

They sell them at ToysRus and most other toy shops.

Ds1 is 10 next week, but I know a few boys in ds2's class (he's 8 the week after next) who have them because they all bring them in on toyday and battle each other.

Ds1 is also a huge fan of the weird/amazing facts and world record type books. He always a Guiness Book of Records for Christmas and I try to find him a few fact books as well. He had Do Igloos Have Loos from the same range as the one Ellen mentioned for Christmas this year and really enjoyed it. (There are more in the range towards the bottom of the page I linked to.)

moosemama · 06/04/2012 19:34

How about Skylanders related books? Perhaps the strategy guide?

That way he can be allowed his obsession, but the GPs will be happy that they've bought him a book rather than 'a bit of plastic'.

Original poster
Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 19:47

Thanks Moose Great ideas there. He probably would like Beyblades. I'm a bit loathe to possibly start off a new collection but if he could actually play with them I'd be happy. Will have a look at the books - I've already put the Strategy Guide on the Amazon wishlist Grin.

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moosemama · 06/04/2012 19:59

Lol, I think ds1 has that one as well!

I think ds likes the Beyblades because you don't have to do anything other than set them going. His launch technique leaves a lot to be desired, mind you, but he still thinks he's 'Lord of the Blades'! Grin

Ds2 won't play with them now, because by pure chance, the first one I ever bought ds1 happened to be one of the best Metal Fusion blades and basically obliterates anything else that goes in the arena with it.

Original poster
Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 20:05

Grin Bad luck DS2!

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troutpout · 06/04/2012 20:18

Boomblox
Angry birds board game

troutpout · 06/04/2012 20:20

Hexbug nanos and an arena for them to run about in

moosemama · 06/04/2012 20:47

Grin Sheer fluke as well. I knew nothing about them and just bought the last one they had in the sale at the Entertainer.

My boys were both after hexbugs at Christmas - and ds1 has asked for the Angry Birds boardgame for his birthday - but hasn't got it.

StarlightMcEggsie · 06/04/2012 22:59

My Ds' most favourite things in order are:

His non-childish globe
His book on planets (for a MUCH older child)
His huge London underground poster.

He's 5 though!

ThreadWatcher · 06/04/2012 23:07

Try Happy Puzzle Company
I think they have got free p&p until tuesday as well.

Loads of 'things' in there that your ds might love

ThreadWatcher · 06/04/2012 23:15

What about a marble run? - once set up watching (and listening) to the balls roll down fascinates me and ds :)
Balls roll down, collect them and send them down again and again etc

Practicallyperfectnot · 06/04/2012 23:18

Books- wimpy kid, captain underpants, where's wally, klutz book on mazes, usbourne book on mazes (different types), maths books by johnny ball, even the highway code has proved loved. Jigsaws? Addictaball? What about the stacking cups game. Or BopIt. All of our favourites.

Original poster
Ben10NeverAgain · 07/04/2012 09:14

Thanks for all your help.

The Angry Birds board game is on the list now thanks.

He has marble run and MIL said she'd get him some more to add.

Will add the mazes and captain underpants books. He hates jigsaws (something about his spacial awareness, he was great until about 3), he has the stacking cups. Addictaball is something I've been looking at for a while in the Happy Puzzle Company - thanks for the recommendation.

DS has only been on the tube a few things as we don't live in London anymore but I'm sure if we did he'd be obsessed with it distant memories of the boy at school who was obsessed by it and used to ride it all day long Hmm. He does love the planets - I'll have a look and see whether we have a book already thanks.

The problem is that DH has bought him so much "stuff" in the hope that it might help him to play. Even if he does it will normally just be once or twice, but then he won't let us get rid of it - Amberlight wrote something once that explained this for me perfectly. His room is like a toy and book shop. We had a visitor yesterday who brought their 6 yr old nephew. He was so excited by DS's room he apparently said "I sooooo love your room, I wish you were my big brother so I could share your room" Grin.

OP posts:
Mumfun · 07/04/2012 11:13

My DS just turned 8 loves:
His Kelvin23 multitool to help round house -(I want one too :))
Own personal car wash kit - loves to help wash car
Deadly 60 book -finds it really interesting and the TV series
Anything Horrid Henry :(
Now very into Monopoly (the game)
Likes Connect 4 and about to buy Frustration which he also will love

moosemama · 07/04/2012 11:15

Coff33 - ds1 asked for the addictaball for Christmas. Reviews weren't great ad said it breaks really easily and it's then useless, so I bought the original one called the Perplexus from Amazon instead.

He loves it, takes it everywhere with him, when we are going to someone else's house and he might get bored, if we are going out in the car and he may have to wait or we'll be going to a petrol station etc. The only downside has been the slightly annoying ball rolling noise, which does grate with me somewhat. Everyone was hooked on it over the Christmas holidays and the boys had Perplexus challenges with my Dad!

creatovator · 07/04/2012 11:38

We've found this one has lots of ideas www.brightminds.co.uk for various ages.

coff33pot · 07/04/2012 12:49

I am also looking for DS who is 7 so scrollinig down for ideas! That perplexus looks good and just saw they do more in the range.

I was looking at something advertised on the TV yesterday. Its like a car track you mount on the wall?

I bought ds two bakugans on the way back from hospital with his finger and he is facinated with them and I ordered a case of 18 from amazon for £19 which was good value. I dont know if he will actually play the game though he is more interested in keeping them in his pocket and sorting out his own imaginary battles! Same with lego once built it goes on shelf.

looking around for puzzle cubes now as he is into building his own symetrical shapes/picutures

SallyBear · 07/04/2012 12:55

The problem I have, is that we have too many toys (due to four kids) and that realistically DS3 doesn't know how to play with the toys properly. It doesn't help that I am usually too busy to play with him for more than 10 minutes Sad