Bday present for 4 yo boy?

[maestramommy]

We may be attending a bday party for a friend's 4 yo ds. I don't know what his interests are yet. For his first I got him a ball. For his second I got him bubbles. Anything out there that would be fun for around $20, give or take? I did find out from his parents that he doesn't have any Elmo toys, nor anything else that was involved in the recent recall.

[mudder17]

Maybe this [link:www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=12&topic_id=26438&mesg_id=26438&listing_type=search|thread] would be helpful?

Or maybe this [link:www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=75058&mode=full|one]?

Playmobil or Lego set?
Craft Kit or other art supplies from Michael's that's age appropriate?
Early reader books?
One of those bug collection boxes with a magnifying glass?


Eileen

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[new_mommy25]

My DS is almost 4 so I will take a stab.

Jigsaw puzzles

Board Games or card games - Balloon Lagoon, Trouble, Old Maid, Feed The Kitty

Books, especially funny read out louds like Skippyjon jones or Dr Seuss, or non-fiction books about space, volcanoes etc. DK makes a nice series.

Mack Playset (from Cars the movie)

Legos for age 4+. We recently bought the Mosaic and that's been a big hit. They also have a starter set for about $15. http://tinyurl.com/3xf36b

Art supplies/craft kit, especially things that can be cut and glued. Fancy scissors are big around here (he uses all my scrapbooking scissors with different designs) and lots and lots of glue. Loves to glue bits of paper, feathers, pom poms etc. Noah also stamp sets like from M&D or TCP and they would be a great gift along with some blank note cards.

Anything personalized. DS takes delight in seeing his name on things like back packs, pencils, piggy bank etc. Lillian Vernon has lots of things.

Nano racers and tracks. They sell these at the local toy store here and have sets of different sizes. http://tinyurl.com/2ahw27

wallet or watch

Thomas or Geo trax trains or destinations (though I would check with the parents first)

[octmom]

DS has been invited to four 4th birthday parties this summer. Our go-to gift has been a pair of little stilt walkers and a book. I picked ours up at a local independent toy store, but the idea is something like this: http://toymakerofwilliamsburg.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TOW&Product_Code=350-628&Category_Code=outdoor

We've given these to girls and boys and they seem to be liked equally by both. :)

ETA: In the spring, we gave a three-year-old a lap desk, washable markers, and a pad of drawing paper. I bought the same set-up for DS (who will be 4 in late Ocotber) and he uses it daily. The lap desk is primary colors, and I bought a paint pen and wrote the birthday boy's name on it for the gift. The lap desk was from Toys R Us.

HTH!

Jerilyn
DS, 10/03
DD, 3/06

[maestramommy]

I remember stilts from when I was a kid! How cool!

[JBaxter]

Nathan will be 4 in November and he just got one of these he loves.
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-and-Doug-See-Spell/dp/B0007Y4DLG/ref=sr_1_5/105-9061645-2199661?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1186410511&sr=1-5

[hardysmom]

OK, at 4 my DS was SOOOOO not into art/crafts/puzzles/legos. Nor were most of his friends. A lot of kids, particularly boys (though not to generalize) seem to be too energy for sit-down projects.

HOWEVER, most moms (myself included) like books/art stuff and those are always "safe" presents when don't really know the child well.

My son was really into cars, trucks, trains, planes, etc... Flashlights are always a hit. Basic costume stuff like Police Hats, Capes, etc... Music CDs are always a fun gift. We have a friend who burns CDs for presents. It is one of the few things still around 4 weeks after the party.

Superheros are HUGE with this age (like princesses for girls) BUT parents have different philosophies so they can be tricky. Personally, our rule is that if you aren't old enough to see the movie (Pirates of the Carr, Star Wars, Spiderman, Batman, etc) you can't have the overly-marketed toys. We stick to the Superfriends from the 70s.

Stephnanie