OMO - advice on a gift for a child

[Littlepeahead]

My nephew is 5 soon, and he's mad about cars. He's got hundreds of toy cars already, Monster Trucks, Lego, Hot Wheels, Disney Cars characters etc. but every time I ask him what he wants for his birthday he says more cars!

I'm going to get him this book.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rhEdPz64L._SX385_.jpg

Anyone else got any bright ideas for what I can get him other than another load of Hot Wheels. (He's not old enough for a track day even with his booster seat or I'd get him that.)

And before someone says 'a motorbike', I did that at Christmas!

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=1151&pictureid=7423

[Jayneflakes]

Looks like a good book, you can't beat books as a gift when you are an Aunty. Mind you, my Mother in law has got used to buying me Lego even though I am 40 now!

[Littlepeahead]

Seeing your creations Jayne it's money well spent.

[Mrs DJ Fridge]

A big car, at least 20cm long then he can find it easily amongst all of his other Hot Wheels sized cars. Simple remote control cars are good because they drive mums mad. I say this as a mum, my youngest was obsessed with cars, he did eventually grow out of it, but during the phase it was easiest to go with it, he ignored anyrhing that was not a car.

[maviczap]

A toy garage for his cars & a carpet/rug with roads on it

Strangely my youngest daughter has one & loves it, although shes now getting a bit too old

Similar to this

http://www.steves-workshop.co.uk/toys/garage/garageimage.jpg

[Littlepeahead]

He's already got both, and several ramps. I'm struggling though he did say if I didn't want to buy him toy cars a real one would be ok.

[Ch00]

You might be able to arrange a little visit to your local Traffic garage and have a sit in the Police cars.

[ethariel]

Nerf gun!

[SIII]

+1 on the Nerf Gun, we have 5 in our house. See linky - these are the best and not expensive.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=en&biw=1280&bih=822&tbm=isch&tbnid=msaYG7aeT-v6qM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fteachingphysics.wordpress.c om%2F2008%2F11%2F15%2Fprojectile-motion-lab%2F&docid=7133sZHef8P38M&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fteachingphysics.files.wordpres s.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fnerf-maverick.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=Nm_7UuqGJNKThQe47IH4AQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=782&page=1&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=0CH8QrQMwCw

[jambo]

How old do you have to be to have a go in a go kart?

Jambo

[ClunkintheUK]

It was 8, when I have my 9th birthday party (i was one of the older ones in my year).

+1 on a ride along in something fast/really loud or sit in one of the police pursuit cars.

[shiftin_gear98]

I have two boys 5 and 3, and more cars than I ever thought we had room for.
But every time we go out and get a toy it's another car. They are both really into the "Cars" cars at the moment. You can pick these up on Flea Bay for ok money.


+1 on the Nerf guns, got some at Christmas. However prepare for carnage. The 3 year old shot the 5 year old point blank in the face last night. It was my fault, even though the missus bought them!


You could always go down the route of really big noisy plastic thing, kids love them, parents hate the fudging things. Chaos and nowhere to put it afterwards! Again my house is full of them, curse my family.


Whatever you get he'll love. As long as it's not pants or socks. Save them beauties till he's older.

[ClunkintheUK]

I like getting socks as a present now. Something of a christmas tradition for my really. Does that mean I am old?

[jambo]

I like getting socks as a present now. Something of a christmas tradition for my really. Does that mean I am old?

Yes, but you have warm feet. You'd have been old with cold feet without the socks. :smt003

If he can't go in something fast yet, more Lego. Fun for him building it, and fun for you when anyone but you steps on it.

Jambo

[Matt-EUC]

A remote controlled car that works upside down. It means it doesn't matter so much if he crashes it. Or a car that can go up/down stairs/curbs.

[Matt-EUC]

Failing that, you could buy one for me.

[timwilky]

About that age, my dad gave me a go cart with 150cc villiars engine. worked well, although I did a nasty burn to my wrist trying to bump start it one day when ~I was 7, he gave me a ford anglia with wooden blocks attached to brake,clutch and accelerator.

So my opinion. a rich aunt like you, buy some land and a banger for the little chap.

[Matt-EUC]

Or buy him a couple of days of motocrossing for nippers

[dkid]

Scalectrix?

[Matt-EUC]

Scalectrix?


Genius.

[SIII]

Too young for Scalectrix, get fed up very soon with putting cars back on. Plus too much space in bedroom. Couple of years before that one.

[dkid]

Too young for Scalectrix, get fed up very soon with putting cars back on. Plus too much space in bedroom. Couple of years before that one.


My 5yo loves his. He's got the hang of controlling the speed pretty quickly. Half the fun for him is building the track itself.

Also has an R/C car but it's too quick for indoor use so not getting much use in the carp weather we're having lately.

[pookie]

the micro scalextric sets have a smaller footprint. Also the magnets keep them on track. They do 360 loops as well :)

Just waiting for the time to move to full fat digital multi car version ;)

[maviczap]

My 5yo loves his. He's got the hang of controlling the speed pretty quickly. Half the fun for him is building the track itself.

Also has an R/C car but it's too quick for indoor use so not getting much use in the carp weather we're having lately.

Agreed

the micro scalextric sets have a smaller footprint. Also the magnets keep them on track. They do 360 loops as well :)

Just waiting for the time to move to full fat digital multi car version ;)

Yes, I've got some micro stuff & the cars stay on better than the full size cars

[wyrdness]

How old do you have to be to have a go in a go kart?

Jambo

Depends on the go-kart. I think that Luis started driving them on his own at around 3 and 3 months:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31/s720x720/289334_10150409434701057_808832503_o.jpg

[Littlepeahead]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did think about the Scalextric but discovered the boys had a Micro version which was a bit rubbish and I don't think they've got space for the full sized one - plus they cost £130+ for a very basic set.

The got Nerfs last year and the dog keeps trying to eat the pellets.

And they already have a go kart and remote control car. That's the problem with him having a brother six years older, it means that he's already inherited a lot of toys.

So as he has a huge crate load of Hot Wheels I decided to get him a Hot Wheels triple track, plus the book and also found a Disney Cars cereal bowl and plate set.

http://www.toysrus.com/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-16059359dt.jpg

[maviczap]

Excellent choice LPH, I would have been V happy to get that

[Littlepeahead]

I've warned Mr LPH to set aside an hour on Thursday for building and testing.

[maviczap]

Happy to volunteer to help him :D