Gifts for the 5 year olds...

In just over two months, we will officially be in this forum. Wow! So I'm thinking ahead...

What are good/popular gifts for the 5 year olds, aside from Legos(we are going to do a Lego themed birthday party)? We already own half of TRU and Imaginex! Lol! What were the hits? I need to start planning!

 

Do they already have bikes or scooters? My kids have loved theirs for years.

 

Bikes or power wheels are good. We switched Sean from Thomas trains to real electric trains around that age. We built a platform with plywood, stapled one of those road map rug's to it, added molding around the edges. Then stapled a train track format onto it so it can't move. You can buy the track on ebay for WAY cheaper than a store. I think we're running HO track.....i'd have to ask David for sure. Anyways, Sean still plays with his electric trains at age 10.

Examples: Thomas Train Electric Set

Target train sets

Easy snap track

 

Big bikes! We traded in the girls 12" bikes for 16" big girl bikes for their 5th bday.

 

Two gifts that our kids loved (and continue to love) are 1. sleds (the type you ride by yourself down a hill, not the ones with a pull string) and 2. Playmobile Advent Calendar.

 

It's not that ahead.. I'm already thinking about Christmas (and already have most of it in the closet), so I can grab things if I find a deal. But it's mostly Imaginext stuff on my list, and you already have them (the new Castle/dragon theme maybe?). Playmobil is great too but arguably better for older kids (my kids got to play with some and loved them though). Transformers maybe?

 

Magazines!

Mine love to get mail and we live in a small rental townhome so space is a premium. I try to do gifts that are 1.small 2.educational in some way 3. will last more than 6 months


My DDs love Ranger Rick, Zoobooks, and Ask (a kids science magazine)!


Scooters! They are very popular and also the Razor ones are adjustable for height as they grow....most of the kids ages 3-9 have them in our complex. Plasma cars are very neat as well....we played with them for 10 days on vacation and they were BIG hit.

How about games like Labryith Jr, Yatzhee Jr, Apple Orchard?? Ravensburger (brand) makes awesome games and Peaceful Earth has some really good cooperative games (great at 5 so that the kids or the games win...not kid vs kid)?

 

I'm not sure where people find the room for plasma cars, lol. Now, if it worked on grass...

 

Playmobil sets, board games, Spy Gear toys, remote control cars...

 

We used them on a family members very long driveway and around their cul-de-sac. FABULOUS toys if you have the room.....we dont but they sure got used for 10 days while we could use them!

 

I've heard really great things about them for sure, but I just don't find them practical unless you have a huge driveway or something.

 

A cement or industrial grade carpeted basement would work as well. Our last house did not have a long driveway or sidewalks, but boy did we have fun the in the basement with a regular scooter on the industrial carpet, it ran well- so I assume a plasma car would too.

 

Plasma cars - in the carport and driveway, they turn really well. I believe you can get aftermarket wheels for indoor use too.

 

My kids got a ton of games at age 5 and I have to say we rarely play them. They can't play most of them independently (and the few that are simple enough, they can't play because they fight!) It's fun to have a few for family activities, but two or three would be plenty.

We go through art supplies like water. They have all these toys, dolls, building sets, but 99% of what they do is coloring, writing notes to their friends, making random collages, etc.

Mine are girls, though. My nephews, who will be 5 in November, seem to be really into cars/trucks (especially remote controlled or if they make noise) and building toys -- Lincoln Logs are their fave at the moment. They also have a Skuut bike (wooden balance bike) that they ride around inside the house.