Gift(s) for a 10 year old

[carolyngrace]

Magic kit. Special cases/shelves for his comic books (or covers or what have you). A drawing of him as a lego superhero. A short comic you make about how great he is. Supplies for him to make his own comic book. Coupons for daddy/son nights out (or special time at home). Lots of little presents numbered 1-10 so he gets to open a bunch. 10 things about him that are awesome. Candy (because always candy).

That is a big adjustment for any kid. It's great that you want to shower him with love on his big day!

[gigi3126]

Maybe you could plan a special day for him. Legoland? I know kids go nuts for that place. Or a children's museum or something? Something that is really just for him and won't have to be shared.

[wegrowsheep]

Model plane or something challenging to build with dad?

[billyhorrible]

My nephew was really into Minecraft at that age.

The game Perplexus was another one of his favorites.

I second the idea of a remote control helicopter, we've gotten a drone for both my nephew and my 9 year old cousin.

Also laser pegs. They're like legos that light up.

[periwinkledaydreams]

We got SO recently 11 year old son this type of Meccano Erector set for Christmas and he was instantly obsessed..

m.target.com/p/meccano-desert-adventure-set-20-model-set/-/A-21509235?sid=1916S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Toys+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Toys&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9003173&lsft=gclid:CNTT68iuqMoCFUUTHwodqssEhw,gclsrc:aw.ds&gclid=CNTT68iuqMoCFUUTHwodqssEhw&gclsrc=aw.ds

[paintdadanta]

My stepson (9) just got the Perplexus Epic and loves it, but so did all of us. If he likes crafts, Doodle Crate is good and you get half off the first box and can cancel anytime (we did it only for Christmas).

[mbjune13]

What about Nerf guns since he wants to go paint balling? Or laser guns? Airsoft guns? (I don't know your stance on toy guns so if it's out of the question just ignore my suggestions)

[carolyngrace]

Jan 14, 2016 10:07:33 GMT -5 @babybean9 said:

Jan 14, 2016 9:16:41 GMT -5 mbjune13 said:

What about Nerf guns since he wants to go paint balling? Or laser guns? Airsoft guns? (I don't know your stance on toy guns so if it's out of the question just ignore my suggestions)

we have about six nerf guns right now! Honestly he's pretty spoiled. My MIL buys him stuff every time he comes over and won't stop. It makes it trickier because I prefer he be humble and appreciative, but he has so much already, so the bar is raised.

This brings up one of my biggest reoccurring parenting questions. How do I give DB everything he wants in life (like I want to do!) without him becoming a spoiled brat? I grew up not getting much, and I feel like a "better person" for it. But I already have more money/resources than my parents have, so it seems impossible/stupid to hold things back from DB just to teach him a lesson or shape his character. AND, like I said, I want to spoil him by instinct already. I don't know if that makes sense.

[pbubblegum]

Why not take him somewhere or plan a whole day doing things he likes? Science Centre or the aquarium?

[mbjune13]

Jan 14, 2016 10:07:33 GMT -5 @babybean9 said:

Jan 14, 2016 9:16:41 GMT -5 mbjune13 said:

What about Nerf guns since he wants to go paint balling? Or laser guns? Airsoft guns? (I don't know your stance on toy guns so if it's out of the question just ignore my suggestions)

we have about six nerf guns right now! Honestly he's pretty spoiled. My MIL buys him stuff every time he comes over and won't stop. It makes it trickier because I prefer he be humble and appreciative, but he has so much already, so the bar is raised.

That makes it really hard. My nephews on my husbands side are really hard to buy for too because they have everything! I will wrack my brain and think of stuff we have bought in the past!

[mbjune13]

Jan 14, 2016 10:17:37 GMT -5 carolyngrace said:

Jan 14, 2016 10:07:33 GMT -5 @babybean9 said:

we have about six nerf guns right now! Honestly he's pretty spoiled. My MIL buys him stuff every time he comes over and won't stop. It makes it trickier because I prefer he be humble and appreciative, but he has so much already, so the bar is raised.

This brings up one of my biggest reoccurring parenting questions. How do I give DB everything he wants in life (like I want to do!) without him becoming a spoiled brat? I grew up not getting much, and I feel like a "better person" for it. But I already have more money/resources than my parents have, so it seems impossible/stupid to hold things back from DB just to teach him a lesson or shape his character. AND, like I said, I want to spoil him by instinct already. I don't know if that makes sense.

I feel the same way! I feel like by knowing you don't want a spoiled brat you are able to teach your kids how to be appreciative of what they get. I have the same inclinations about getting everything I can for baby B but right now it doesn't matter. As she gets older we will hopefully be able to teach her that no matter what she needs to work hard and be grateful for what she has.

I hope this makes sense to you. I look at what I don't want my kid growing up to be and will try and teach her how to be humble.

[silv3rlining]

@babybean9 what does YH think about paintball? I'm not sure if 10 is too young (I've known 11/12 years old to play before)

[clairencub]

@babybean9 I know that you said you wanted to avoid more Lego but take a look at this article...

www.cnbc.com/2015/12/28/is-lego-a-better-investment-than-gold.html

I'm a huge Lego fan and actually received the Star Wars Ewok Village set for my birthday. Between my SO, my LO (we already have a crap load of Duplo sets we're saving) and myself we have quite a collection.

I see Lego as a very well rounded toy. It encourages critical thinking, following instructions and consequences of "skipping ahead". Not to mention the playability.

Maybe get him a harder-to-find or a more challenging set. There are also sets that can be motorized. Good luck, I'm sure whatever you get him he will love it!

Eta-I know the article suggests not to put all your nest egg in the proverbial Lego basket which I totally agree with but as an example, we're sitting on a$600 set that was my SO's as a child, is not in box and is missing pieces that originally sold for just over $100 and the "value" continues to increase with the demand. @babybean9 You just never know if your SS will be able to cash in on one of his rarer sets in the future.

*I'm sorry if I let my Lego geek flag fly too high