Gift ideas for a 5 (five) year old boy?
The boys wear the same size clothes, so we have way too many of those. He's signed up for t-ball (starts in a couple of weeks), will be in soccer camp this summer, swimming lessons, karate, and he'll play soccer in the fall. I can't really do any of that for him as a gift. They probably have well over a hundred books. They love being read to, and I love reading to them. I want them to love books, so I have bought them way too many in the past. They don't really need anymore... So...I have two very spoiled little boys. It's now making life VERY difficult because they pretty much have everything they can have at their ages. Oh, they already both have savings accounts and Coverdale accounts for college. We've done the first stock in the past, where they buy a stock and get a nice certificate. I'm just absolutely CLUELESS. Any ideas at all??? His party will be at the theater - we're going with a Cars theme and they'll see the Disney movie Cars after we eat the cake and play some games http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/cars/. He's been wanting to see this movie since he saw the previews over a year ago, and it just happens to be coming out the day after his birthday. Good timing.  Not sure if that'll help any, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
Geesh - I still have another birthday and then Christmas to get through too....  |
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| Happy Birthday to him (a little early!)
He seems so lucky!!! 
I would think if "I" was 5... no matter how many toys I had, I'd be expecting more "toys" for my birthday! I believe in one thing. If AMAZON.COM says this is the perfect gift for my son, then it is. Have you checked out what they think? You can narrow the search by AGE, MOST POPULAR GIFTS, and then by the category you want (like outdoor toys, indoor activity games, creative thinking stuff, arts and crafts, etc). There are an endless amount of choices. If it doesn't have at least 4 stars... then I never get it. The ratings there rock
I hope you don't need to go through an entire bottle of tylenol after you son's birthday party. I imagine dealing with a birthday party for little boys has to be a BIG BIG job. |
| How about a special outing instead of a gift? A dy trip (or overnight) to someplace fun, a zoo or amusement park something like that? |
| We run into the very same problem.
What we did for Micah was we took him and his best buddy to Seaworld and bought them cool toys from there.......it was cool......he LOVED IT!! |
| how about a new bike?
OR a new sheepdog puppy! |
| I would say that a trip or something would be fun, but (and this is just me) I think that actually opening a present is more fun at that age. They might not quite connect that the trip is the only gift (especially if you get the other one a wrapped gift for his birthday--it's all about being even!--my little brother and I have the same birthday, so my mom used to have to get my older brother a gift on our b-day, too so he wouldn't feel left out).
So maybe just a small gift (like get him a stuffed Shamu if you are going to SeaWorld) and then take him to SeaWorld |
| Thanks everyone. The trip idea is a good one, but we don't really have anywhere to take them. The closest zoo is about 3.5 hours away (we went to the Memphis Zoo a few weeks ago and they didn't have fun - too hot for them). The closest Sea World is in Orlando, I think? That's a good 12 hour+ drive. We're already taking them on a trip to Atlanta this summer - mostly to visit family but we are going to take the boys to the zoo, aquarium and children's museum. The weekend after his birthday, we're going to Shreveport to visit his Grandma there. He and Brandon both always have two parties - one here and one there with their cousins in LA.
Then, when we get back from there, Jason leaves again. He's going back down to Biloxi/Gulfport. Everytime I ask Jakob what he wants for his birthday, he says "Nothing." He's not a lot of help! lol His Grandma got him a bike for his 2nd birthday and it's still looks new. My Mother's day present was a puppy from the humane society. As much as I love animals, I've reached my limit, as long as the boys are little anyway! lol It's so hard. They're the only grandkids on both sides. Well, I have step-nephews and they're included with my mom-in-law, but as far as the great-grandparents are concerned, my kids are the only ones they do anything for. So...we're not the only ones guilty of spoiling them. The Grandparents do a very good job of it too (worse than us). |
So where are the new puppy pics????  |
| You could always come do here and visit, go to Seaworld (we have discounts you could use), let our boys run wild together................free housing, I cook from scratch...............just an idea......PUPPY PICTURES PLEASE!! |
Tasker's Mom wrote: So where are the new puppy pics????
I submitted them this morning. I think they went through? I'll post links to them here though: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/gailchrest/joyrevised.jpg Compared to Jasper for size: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/gailchrest/100_3326.jpg |
| Awwww cute!!! |
| Two boys, age 5 & 7...
Matthew (5) LOVED his "Green Machine" for his borthday- it is like a hotwheels, but "COOLER MOM".... I also got him a electronic ATM Bank, that has its own ATM Card and he can make deposits, etc... HE LOVES it, and what he doesn't know- it is educational for him too! I also got him a LadyBug Hut from Discovery Toys- he feeds and waters them everyday and is teaching him responsibility for his own pet. He helps with Chipper, but these are HIS ladybugs, and HE is responsible. I hope some of these ideas help... it is so hard when they have so much!!! |
Joahaeyo wrote: I hope you don't need to go through an entire bottle of tylenol after you son's birthday party. I imagine dealing with a birthday party for little boys has to be a BIG BIG job.
hehe, we've invited 35 kids plus parents. I'm already taking out stock in Tylenol.. Just Brandon alone is enough for it most days! lol  |
Tasker's Mom wrote: Awwww cute!!!
Thanks Ginny. She really is a sweetheart! |
| We just got the coolest things from a new game shop. SOme miniature science sets and cool interlocking, flexible building bocks that come in tons of different colors. The kids need to use fine motor skills to piece them together and logic to figure out which color comes next to create a pattern. I will look for the name of them.
Lark (Ambrose's mommy) |
| Bring the kids to my house! We could do Hershey park, Philly Zoo,
Smithsonian, Gettysburg, go to the beach, Baltimore Aquarium... We have lots of tot pleasers! Maybe too far?
Well, I don't know where your child is with learning or curiosity, but at 5 we started getting science sets for Ian. The microscope was the really big hit. Even as and adult I get a huge kick from looking at different things under the microscope. Outsite you can pick up anything from bugs to grass to flowers to dirt and (my kids at least) it's a real kick for them to see these things up close. We also have been getting some kind of chemistry set or experiment set every other year and those are a bit hit too. (Must have worked, he has gotten the National Science award at school.  )
Check out discovery.com for kids gift ideas, sometimes they have really great stuff, even for preschool kids - (last time I checked) Art supplies are also a bit hit in our house. Pens, colored pencils, markers, paper, paint, crayola clays, all of these are tons of fun and great for keeping little ones busy. Sounds like you have some very lucky children! Amazing that he wants "nothing" at 5! I have never gotten that response - lucky you! Mine have always been able to rattle off a list. Shellie |
| Bring him up Friday since we'll all be at Hersheypark anyway!! |
Maxmm wrote: Bring him up Friday since we'll all be at Hersheypark anyway!!
hehe, I wish! Jason is out of leave from his Katrina duty, and he's leaving again to go to Gulfport/Biloxi two days after his birthday.  He only has like 80 hours of personal leave left, after he had saved up about 3 months worth. |
| My boys loved K-nex. We save them, and whenever my 5 year old nephew came over he pulled them out and was entertained for hours. Kyle just turned 6 so we got him a starter kit. His mom says he plays with them all the time. |
I MISS HERSHEY PARK!  We used to go every year. Sigh.. maybe one day...
I say on the Today show this morning ...they had a thing on sleepover activities.. and there was this cool kit where you dye the cars the color you want (little race cars) ...and then the boys decorate them however they want. Thought it was the coolest thing. Though I think it may be for 7+. can't remember. |
| Sorry I have been gone so long.
I would get him a puppet. One of those big ones that you can put your hand into like a professional puppet but cheaper. I found one on ebay for $40 and another used one for like $10. Gave it to my son for his first birthday and my 5 year old LOVED it. Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned puppet! |
| If you want to go the video game route...I personaly loved V-Smile...we have alot of the games. They are all educational, some do not require he reads, but as he gets into reading he can try the more challenging levels. But to start you can have no lose...like if you fall off the platform it just puts him back on...no lives lost.
We have Dora, Spongebob, Cinderella, Simba, Toy Story, Learnin wheels. We might get Spiderman, Bob the builder next. I too have a 5 yr old...he never gets tired of building. Legos in new colors was a huge hit recently. Sidewalk chalk is another favorite. Playdoh things, and markers...he's very creative. |
Daisie wrote: If you want to go the video game route...I personaly loved V-Smile...we have alot of the games. They are all educational, some do not require he reads, but as he gets into reading he can try the more challenging levels. But to start you can have no lose...like if you fall off the platform it just puts him back on...no lives lost.
We have Dora, Spongebob, Cinderella, Simba, Toy Story, Learnin wheels. We might get Spiderman, Bob the builder next. I too have a 5 yr old...he never gets tired of building. Legos in new colors was a huge hit recently. Sidewalk chalk is another favorite. Playdoh things, and markers...he's very creative. They already have a V-Smile. We got it for them for Christmas 2 years ago. We have tons of the bigger legos, but I have to be careful. Brandon still puts a lot of things in his mouth, so I still have the choking hazard to deal with. They got a Lego table for Christmas this past year, so we kinda overstocked on extras. |
| Another thing my son likes is Build A Bear...you might be able to order on line. If not take him and he builds his own, dresses him, put in a sound.
Train tracks,...we have the Geo Trac system, he enjoys that for a few minutes. You could just take him to the store and let him pick a few things, and later go buy one. Fill up the bag with simple things. Paint a portion of his wall with chalkboard paint and metal paint...magnetic chalkboard at his level...so he can draw on the wall. |
Daisie wrote: Another thing my son likes is Build A Bear...you might be able to order on line. If not take him and he builds his own, dresses him, put in a sound.
Train tracks,...we have the Geo Trac system, he enjoys that for a few minutes. You could just take him to the store and let him pick a few things, and later go buy one. Fill up the bag with simple things. Paint a portion of his wall with chalkboard paint and metal paint...magnetic chalkboard at his level...so he can draw on the wall. LOL, this is terrible. They've both done the BAB thing - they really don't like stuffed animals. They just all sit on a shelf and collect dust. We bought Jake a REALLY nice Brio train set and built him a train table for his second Christmas. They have a magnetic chalkboard on one side, paint center on the other side type of easel. We probably will end up doing the here's some money - pick something out thing. It's not as fun though. He doesn't even ask for toy stuff at the store though, so I'm not even sure how well that will go. Knowing him, he'll head to the fruit section and buy all the strawberries, grapes, apples, and watermelons he can see.  Fruit is the only thing he ever asks for... |
| That's great, you could just not focus at all on the whole b-day present thing, and just enjoy the day, with his friends and let that be his present.
How about sticking with the theme of the day..like a t-shirt/shorts from the movie with the characters on it, and a toy lookalike car. Something from Nascar? To go with the theme. |
Daisie wrote: Something from Nascar? To go with the theme.
You could get him a mullet wig and a beer to go along with it.  |
ButtersStotch wrote: Daisie wrote: Something from Nascar? To go with the theme. You could get him a mullet wig and a beer to go along with it. Don't forget a dirty tank top and a trucker hat. |
| I'm thinking this for part of it:
Batman 3.5" LCD Portable DVD Player They have a Batman tv, dvd player, sheets, pretty much a whole superhero themed room. It would fit in with what he likes, and I know he gets a little bored on our long car trips watching the "baby" shows that Brandon likes. He's more into older kid shows now... Dunno - gotta run it by hubby. Not a bad price on it though. |
| Here's your link to Amazon:
Batman 3.5" LCD Portable DVD Player |
Ron wrote:
Thanks Ron. If we do go with that, can this site get credit for stuff like that? I talked to hubby on the phone a few seconds ago, and right now...it's sounding like a good idea. |
| Did you read the warning?... look at the last line
Safety Information Caution Electric Toy: Not recommended for children under 6 years of age. As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock. WARNING: Contains small parts which may be hazardous to children under age 65. |
| A party with 5 friends, a cake with 5 candles, 5 swats on the rump, 5 hugs, 5 kisses and 5 dollars. Oh, and a pinch to grow on.
People now days start out giving their kids the sun, stars, sky, moon, and each year try to make it better than the last. Bad thing about that is that the kids grow to "expect" this, and some don't learn to appreciate what it took to get it. I think we (friends and myself) had a "1st" birthday party and missed the rest until about 13, when we became "teenagers", again at the "sweet 16". Boy, were we cheated or what!?!?!
I think not. We still had cake and got a presents, they just weren't as elaborate as those given now days. And, IF we got ICE CREAM to go with the cake, NOW that was a very special present!!!
Happy birthday little guy!!! |
Anonymous wrote: A party with 5 friends, a cake with 5 candles, 5 swats on the rump, 5 hugs, 5 kisses and 5 dollars. Oh, and a pinch to grow on.
People now days start out giving their kids the sun, stars, sky, moon, and each year try to make it better than the last. Bad thing about that is that the kids grow to "expect" this, and some don't learn to appreciate what it took to get it. I think we (friends and myself) had a "1st" birthday party and missed the rest until about 13, when we became "teenagers", again at the "sweet 16". Boy, were we cheated or what!?!?! I think not. We still had cake and got a presents, they just weren't as elaborate as those given now days. And, IF we got ICE CREAM to go with the cake, NOW that was a very special present!!! Happy birthday little guy!!! I've never had a party, never really had presents or anything. I don't feel cheated - it just wasn't important and I didn't really know any better. I still don't really celebrate most holidays for myself, but I do for my boys. I probably do go overboard with them, but I just want to make special memories for them to have when they're adults. Honestly though, they may get a cheap hotwheels every week if they're good, but the only time they really get presents is Christmas and Birthdays...with small, cheaper presents for Easter and Valentine's day. They just get too much when they do, because there's about the only children anyone in our families has to shop for. They do appreciate their things and take care of them though - if they didn't, I wouldn't waste my money and tell other family members not to also. So as long as they enjoy the toys and take care of them, and not expect something every time they walk into a store, I don't have a problem spoiling them for special occasions. If they do start acting that way, it'll get cut down until their attitude gets better. |
JakobandBrandonsmom wrote: Ron wrote: Thanks Ron. If we do go with that, can this site get credit for stuff like that? I talked to hubby on the phone a few seconds ago, and right now...it's sounding like a good idea.Almost simple! |
| Will do. Thanks |
| Good luck with the party, we had a spongebob party and decided not to have it our house. We went to a facility where the place has a playland that is massive. Laser tag, and video games.
The kids had alot of fun, and that was our party to Parker for starting Kindergarten. We wanted to get him all excited and have something to look forward to that will never happen again. You never have that very first day of school. Sure junior high or highschool, or college...but the first day of Kindergarten that's huge. We don't do birthdays,or Christmas... we do milestones. Or what I consider milestones. For example, when our son finally was 100% potty trained at 3yrs, he got the geo trac train set. Going to Kindergaten the v-smile. Just to keep the presents to min, and memories extra special. Of course they get the toys whenever we feel like it such as at reportcard times...to reward good grades and giving us a helping hand...like Build a Bear, or crayola things to keep with the school thing. They have been given the gamecube, and old nintendo since we don't play anymore. They have the old tv that is almost dead but will play the video games just fine. We don't have anyone to spoil our kids, the grandparents don't even visit them. However it is so fun to shop for them, and I enjoy it more than they do. They still have fun with the box. 
Enjoy the movie, and hope you have a very fun day. |
| We were having the "Present" talk yesterday. One of those Sponser a Child commercials came on, and he asked me why they didn't have toys, water, floors in their houses, food, etc... I tried to explain the best they could that although their parents worked hard, they didn't make enough money to provide everything they needed. He told me that instead of buying him presents for his birthday since he has plenty to buy those kids some toys to play with. How sweet was that? It made me cry...lol |
| How precious! Spirit of the Lord dwells within him for sure!!! |
| OMG that is so sweet! You have instilled wonderful qualities in your boys.
You should be very proud!! I am still trying to teach Ryan about homeless people. He saw the guy at the end of the exit ramp that had a sign that said "Hungry, needs food". He asked what the sign said and I told him. He also asked why I gave him a bottle of water. I explained that he needed it. He asked why he didn't have a home and I tried to explain. I don't really think he understood because he asked why they can't just find a home. He did ask if there were homeless kids I said yes and tried to explain that some kids don't even have toys. He was really shocked about that. |
| Hello...and Happy Birthday. I have run into a similar problem in the past with me now 9 year old son (who turns 10 this summer...wow!) and although I must admit he did not have as many ammentities as your boys, he couldn't think of anything he actually wanted that he didn't already own. So the first year this situation came up, we did an outing gift and put a small representation of the gift in a box so he had something to open. He really enjoyed that. That same year (during first communion time) my parents gave him his very own whale. They sponsered a whale in his name at the local aquarium. He still has the picture of "his" whale. The best idea was when 2 years ago instead of gifts for my son, he asked family and friends for donations of gently used and new books to bring to a local children's ward of a hospital. He still got the items that he asked for that year, a new pair of rollerblades and a gameboy SP. But otherwise he received book donations. He ended up collecting 3 large overflowing boxes of books to donate. He was able to bring them himself and place them in the hospital's playroom. We all loved the experience. It's been a couple years since we have done that, but this year HE asked if we could do it again instead of gifts because there is not very much that he wants. I was so proud. Not only is he learning a great lesson he is becoming a more selfless young man. This year his donation is to a children's testing unit of a local hospital that he himself had to stay in. He said there were not many things to do for children his age there and he wanted to make it was more comfortable for future patients. SO I guess my suggestion would be to ask if they want to collect gifts for a family in need, or maybe they are animal lovers and could collect food for a local animal shelter. I think they will be surprised how great this birthday will be!! Plus I'm sure they will still get the few items that they really wanted and a party with friends and family which is the most memorable part of birthday's anyway. |
| All fantastic ideas! |
cbijeau wrote: Hello...and Happy Birthday. I have run into a similar problem in the past with me now 9 year old son (who turns 10 this summer...wow!) and although I must admit he did not have as many ammentities as your boys, he couldn't think of anything he actually wanted that he didn't already own. So the first year this situation came up, we did an outing gift and put a small representation of the gift in a box so he had something to open. He really enjoyed that. That same year (during first communion time) my parents gave him his very own whale. They sponsered a whale in his name at the local aquarium. He still has the picture of "his" whale. The best idea was when 2 years ago instead of gifts for my son, he asked family and friends for donations of gently used and new books to bring to a local children's ward of a hospital. He still got the items that he asked for that year, a new pair of rollerblades and a gameboy SP. But otherwise he received book donations. He ended up collecting 3 large overflowing boxes of books to donate. He was able to bring them himself and place them in the hospital's playroom. We all loved the experience. It's been a couple years since we have done that, but this year HE asked if we could do it again instead of gifts because there is not very much that he wants. I was so proud. Not only is he learning a great lesson he is becoming a more selfless young man. This year his donation is to a children's testing unit of a local hospital that he himself had to stay in. He said there were not many things to do for children his age there and he wanted to make it was more comfortable for future patients. SO I guess my suggestion would be to ask if they want to collect gifts for a family in need, or maybe they are animal lovers and could collect food for a local animal shelter. I think they will be surprised how great this birthday will be!! Plus I'm sure they will still get the few items that they really wanted and a party with friends and family which is the most memorable part of birthday's anyway.
I love those ideas! Might have to remember that for next year. |
| I don't think I get it. My daughter says the same thing. She is turning 4 and I asked her what she will ask Santa for at Xmas. She thought about it and said "nothing". She says she has everything she wants already. Same with her birthday next month... So, at the risk of sounding critical, if our kids know they don't need any more toys, why do we insist on thinking of something to buy them? Are we just trying to teach them to become little consumers? Even if you don't need or want anything, you should get something anyway, because, well, it's your birthday or Xmas or Easter or whatever occasion it might be? I'm not trying to sound like I'm on a high horse or anything, I had the same issue with myself, believe me, I just couldn't figure out what to do about the whole b-day thing. And then my MOM asked what she could get the kids and she just won't take "nothing" for an answer. She wants to be the grandma bearing gifts I guess, as many of us do in some way. Anyway, by doing all this ranting I managed to give myself a good idea I think... What if we commend them on not needing more and brainstorm with them something they would like to do special on their birthday or better yet, maybe a way they could help a child who doesn't have everything in our own community or world. Maybe we can come up with a good deed to do with my daughter to help someone else...maybe it will even extend past birthdays. Hmmmm...still have the problem of the grandma, but one step at a time. |
| RE: trip. I think you're thinking too big. With a sibling so close in age, it's probably not that easy to have one on one time with mom and dad. So: picnic in the park. Trip to the library, followed by lunch at his favorite spot. Or bake something together or make something together. Help him build a bird feeder and hang it outside his bedroom or the kitchen. Something not routine but focuses on him, as an individual and not as one of two siblings. That sort of thing. Also, in my opinion, there is almost zero chance of ever having too many books and my kids felt the same. My oldest son felt the exact same way about match box cars. Our youngest son and daughter: art supplies. I think it's tempting to feel like you have to top yourself each birthday or out-do the grandparents. I don't see anything wrong with scaling down the STUFF you give (and if you don't feel right about not spending money on your boy, stick some in an education fund for his future instead of just stuff). I think time is the best gift. |
| A nice trip to a park with a family cookout and a cake that is decorated in something of his interest. A swim party ( YMCA ) in the winter, roller/ice skating party, a picnic with a scavenger hunt and a nice prize for the winner. You could also allow him to choose a charity, most kids this age know of a child that could benefit from your childs special day. It does not have to detract from his day but could make another's day so special as well. Kathy |
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