From: ULDBEV@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu (Beverly Vander Kooy)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: Presents for 7-10 y.o. boys
Date: 29 Jul 92 20:23:03 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo

In article <5229@transfer.stratus.com>
pfieland@citron.sw.stratus.com (Peggy Fieland) writes:
 
>
>In article <92210.150433CLH7@psuvm.psu.edu> CLH7@psuvm.psu.edu (Chris Himes) writes:
>>I need some suggestions of appropriate gifts for boys about 7 to 10 years
>>old.  These guys recently got a PC and like games, but I don't know much
>>about what type they like.  I know they enjoy board games, too, and are big
>>fans of Chicago sports--Bulls and Cubs.  What about science stuff, any
>>suggestions?  Ideally, I would like to spend only around $20.  I don't have
>>a lot of experience with young boys, not ever having been one.  My husband
>>is not much help--all he like s to do is fish.....(another post all
>>together!)
>>
>>Chris Himes
>
>Just for reference, my kids are 10, 7 3/4, and 5 1/2.  They are all boys.
>I also have a 9-year old nephew.
>
>Board games are always fun at this age.  My boys like:
>
>Monopoly
>Battleship
>Chess
>Checkers
>Uno
>(Others I can't remember).
>
>I nice chess set, with a promise of instruction, if they don't know
>how to play, might be nice.
>
>Here are some of the things my kids like to play with and
>enjoy getting as gifts:
>
>My oldest (10) loves legos, construx, etc.  He never really
>met a construction toy he didn't like. He also has a computer chess
>game that he is really just becoming good enough to enjoy playing with
>(he claims that once he "almost" beat it !).
>
>My nephew (now 9) absolutely LOVES cars and trucks (actually, my boys
>are pretty fond of them , too).  He also really likes "playmobile"
>stuff (and do my two younger boys, but not as much as my nephew).
>
>My middle son like "imagination" type stuff -- costumes, etc.
>
>Big wooden blocks are still some of my kids favorite toys, but
>many kids have these by ages 7 to 10.  Maybe also some kids
>are growing beyond them at this age (but mine aren't). The
>biggest beef about blocks in our house is that some brother
>or other is using up all the blocks (and lest you wonder, we
>have two milk crates and a laundry basked FULL of wooden blocks.).
>The big ones are pretty pricey, though, even the starter sets.
>
>My nephew recently got an electric train he enjoys, but this
>would cost far more than your budget.
>
>"Art supplies", like paints, a "spin art", finger paints, etc,
>are always fun. And the good thing is that paints and paper get
>used up, so  you can give them again next time :-).
>
>Books are still much appreciated by my kids.  My oldest has a
>great "space" book that we ordered from national geographic society
>(several hundred pages, full of photos, etc.).  He also has a
>kids book of rocks and minerals that he likes. And of course, there
>are always story books.
>
>We've gotten the boys some "science toys", but none of them have been a
>big hit.  Anyone out there have some really good "science toy" suggestions?
 
 
My son is 8 years old and LOVE SNES and NES, however there are so many
things that a boy this age likes:
 
           SCATCH - many brand names - two disks with a ball - disk is used
                    like a catcher's mitt and the ball adheres to the disk
                    when caught.  Great for picnics & travel.  $6 - $10
 
           LEGOS - from basic sets to pirates, to space etc.  However, LEGOS
                   can be expensive.
 
           SCIENCE TOYS:  There are large magnets (with objects to pick up);
                          small plastic containers with magnifying glasses on
                          top for catching & viewing INSECTS (Yeah, my personal
                          favourite); a neat little pocket sized toy that has
                          binoculars, magnifying glass, compass.  (SPYTECH)
                          I have seen versions in red & blue also.  about $7.00
 
            SPORTS CARDS:  How about binders & sports cards (football, baseball
 
            STAMPS:       A book on stamp collecting.  Start them off with
                          cancelled stamps.  Give them books to keep them in
                          (for the beginner there are binders with plastic
                           pages rows of stamps can be put in) -- collect
                           them by subject -- like OLYMPICS.  Family members
                          and friends can help them collect cancelled stamps.
 
 It seems that my son likes the "in" toys like Batman, etc. however it is
the timeless things that keep his interest.  Any kind of art supply from
paper (on rolls) to even interesting pencils are accepted gratefully.
 
He also likes DOMINOS!  You can get them in acrylic in a box.  They can also
be used to build things.
 
If you already know some of the boys' interests, you can figure out what they
will enjoy.   Good Luck!