Need your help again - gift idea please!

[sansdieu]

I will be visiting this very nice family that I haven't seen in a long time (over a decade). They have 4 kids, ranging in age from 5 to 13. At the very least, I am going to the dinner at their house, and I would like to bring something for the kids, not just a hostess gift. Do I bring something for each kid, and WHAT do I bring? I really don't know the kids, what their interests are... The dinner will probably be the day of arrival, so I may not have any time to shop. AND there are luggage restrictions, so I don't think I'll be able to bring, say, 4 board games (although I will, if you think that's the way to go, even if means checking my luggage). Any thoughts?

I'm coming from Boston, so maybe something East-Coast-specific, but what do we have here that kids might like?

So many variables, and not a clue what to do...

[kristac]

Stomp rockets
http://www.amazon.com/D-L-Company-20008-Rocket/dp/B0006O8Q7Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1283893975&sr=8-2

[sansdieu]

Stomp rockets
http://www.amazon.com/D-L-Company-20008-Rocket/dp/B0006O8Q7Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1283893975&sr=8-2

Thanks, that looks cool! Do they need anything else, to go with them? A launcher of some sort? How many per kid? And how big are they in a package?

[misshollygolightly]

What about a gift card to a movie theater or family-friendly restaurant? With so many kids, I'd imagine having an expenses-paid family outing would be a real treat!

[DietCokeLover]

What about a gift card to a movie theater or family-friendly restaurant? With so many kids, I'd imagine having an expenses-paid family outing would be a real treat!

:yeahthat:

[Binkandabee]

I'd do a gift card to a family friendly restaurant as well. Not sure if it's a nationwide chain or not, but we have a place called Incredible Pizza...it's like Chuck E. Cheese but will accommodate a wide variety of ages from toddlers all the way up to adults.

[janeybwild]

I'd bring a family game (e.g. Blokus, pictionary etc.)

[kristac]

Thanks, that looks cool! Do they need anything else, to go with them? A launcher of some sort? How many per kid? And how big are they in a package?

They come with the launcher and 4 rockets. You can get a refill pack as well (or just get a second launcher so they don't all have to wait as long for a turn). The box is not very big- maybe 12" x8" x4" ?? IIRC

[ewpmsw]

I'd bring a family game (e.g. Blokus, pictionary etc.)

:yeahthat: Uno was a huge hit with our family, and we started playing it when the five of us kids ranged from 4-8 years old.

[hollybloom24]

Life is good shirts or caps - they are very East Coast apparently!

[shishamo]

What about a gift card to a movie theater or family-friendly restaurant? With so many kids, I'd imagine having an expenses-paid family outing would be a real treat!

I LOVE this idea!
The game idea may be tricky, since the family may already own many of the popular games. I have three kids (5,8,10) and we have quite a selection, thanks to birthday parties, etc.

[sansdieu]

What about a gift card to a movie theater or family-friendly restaurant? With so many kids, I'd imagine having an expenses-paid family outing would be a real treat!

I'd do a gift card to a family friendly restaurant as well. Not sure if it's a nationwide chain or not, but we have a place called Incredible Pizza...it's like Chuck E. Cheese but will accommodate a wide variety of ages from toddlers all the way up to adults.

I don't know the area at all. I know they keep very strict dietary restrictions, so restaurants are out. I suppose I could look up movie theaters in the area, but what if they prefer one movie theater to another? Besides, a gift card seems like such a birthday gift to me... I'd like to actually HAND something over to the kids, especially the 5-yr-old who won't be too impressed with a gift card.

[sansdieu]

I'd bring a family game (e.g. Blokus, pictionary etc.)

:yeahthat: Uno was a huge hit with our family, and we started playing it when the five of us kids ranged from 4-8 years old.

The game idea may be tricky, since the family may already own many of the popular games. I have three kids (5,8,10) and we have quite a selection, thanks to birthday parties, etc.

Yes, that kind of worries me - that a family with 4 kids would already own every game possible. Any new games that just came out? Or new versions of popular games?

[sansdieu]

Life is good shirts or caps - they are very East Coast apparently!

Really? I had no idea it was an East Coast thing at all. I'll look into it (at least, they're easy to transport.)

They come with the launcher and 4 rockets. You can get a refill pack as well (or just get a second launcher so they don't all have to wait as long for a turn). The box is not very big- maybe 12" x8" x4" ?? IIRC

Cool, thanks!