What birthday gift to give to a 4-year-old boy?

[Kate888]

DD was invited to her friend's birthday party at the end of Oct. The birthday boy is turning 4 and I have NO idea what present to get! I know he likes cars, and already owns like 100. He also has lots of boy toys. Is there anything creative or special that I should get? My budget is about $20-$30.

Thanks for your help :)

Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif
and Baby #2 EDD 5/11/05 http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/ptrose.gif

[bluej]

Caden (6) and my nephews (4, 9 & 16) all love Magz. http://www.magz.com/toys/
You can get them at a variety of online shops and B&M specialty toy stores. I think Toys R Us has a different brand, but same concept. We get the Mega Magz b/c they are bigger and easier to handle.

[redhookmom]

How about a big dinosaur and a Usbourne dinosaur book.

My son loved this toy:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/14784.jpg


We have a pirate ship from Target that my son plays with tons!

[Jen in Chicago]

We gave my nephew the GeoTrak Train set and he loves it! Saw it IRL and was so impressed last week.

Music? Ralph's World

If he loves cars, what about a great car mat for the floor, or a Matchbox track of some sort for cars. My other nephew could play with his cars all day if you let him.

I am always a fan of books!

[lukkykatt]

My older son is 4 and loves Rescue Heroes. They have some new vehicles for them, so you could get a Rescue Hero and a vehicle and be within your budget. Also popular at our house is Imaginex. DS is also very much into board games now.

[parkersmama]

I second Rescue Heros. They are a big hit with Wesley right now. If you can find one that comes with a free video, get it...my boys love the videos!

Other ideas:
-anything that can be played with outside...soccer ball, scooter, bike helmet, trap ball, etc
-simple board games (Monopoly Jr., Hi-ho Cherry-O, Connect 4)
-bin of dinosaurs or other plastic/rubber animals
-legos
-tracks for all his cars or a playrug to use with them
-books
-dress up clothes (depending on his personality)

[lukkykatt]

Denise, have you seen that there are sometimes Rescue Heros cartoons on the Cartoon Network? I have our DVR set to record them whenever they are on.

[Kate888]

Thank you all for the cool ideas!! I'm going to check out these toys later; they're all new to me :) What books would you suggest? Any DVD's you like?

Thanks a lot!!!


Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif
and Baby #2 EDD 5/11/05 http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/ptrose.gif

[suzska]

Unfortunately shipping would take you over budget, but since he has so many cars, how about something like these road pieces. We have them.

http://tinyurl.com/49wto

http://www.constplay.com/constplay.com/family/product_images/IPR-505L.jpg


I actually got my son the set of 6 Drivetime signs for Christmas. But sets of 3 exists that might fit your budget. (He's 3.5yo and is just fascinated with road signs right now. I can't wait until he gets these!)

http://tinyurl.com/4ojb8

http://www.elearningtoys.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/guid3061_350.jpg