It just wouldn’t be fair if I only offered up great gift items for girls so I’m happy to say I also polled parents to get their best suggestions for holiday or special occasion gifts for boys.
Some of the best comments from parents of boys…
“I like giving the kids gifts that will continue to spark their sense of adventure.”
“We try to focus on family trips, tickets (zoo, movies, museums, etc) or lessons (tennis, swimming, music, etc). I find these are things that we can all enjoy as opposed to toys that have fifty pieces which will be scattered all over the house and partially lost within a week.”
“I prefer gifts that are engaging and choose items my son enjoys. Children’s tastes change so much and right now my son is into super heroes, building and cars so those are all fun toys for pretend play. We do a lot of craft kits for both our children and use them as gifts – it is so fun for them to make gifts for others vs just buying something at the store.”
“Honestly, my son wants a real vacuum cleaner for Christmas. He likes things that he can take apart and put back together. He loves his scooter too.” (parent of 3-6 year old boy)
“Boys in this age group are pretty easy – electronics and video games.” (parent of 9-12 year-old boy)
I must admit since I have a girl (my only child), boy gifts are always a struggle. My mind immediately goes to cars, trucks and Legos, and I’m left wondering if my lack of imagination and experience is easily recognizable. Selfishly, I’m so relieved to have the list below next time I need ideas for boy gifts.
All Ages
- Sporting equipment (clothes, bat, baseball glove, t-ball stand, soccer ball, soccer goals, helmet/pads)
- Outdoor gear (compass, Camelbak hydration pack, hunting gear)
- Activity voucher/tickets (paintball, bowling, batting cage, arcade)
- “A Day with Dad” and “A Day with Mom” voucher (lunch + arcade = happiness!!)
- Things with wheels (bicycle, balance bike, scooter, Plasma car, skateboard)
- Tickets to sporting event, movie or concert
- Enrollment in lessons (tennis, piano, swimming, martial arts, guitar)
- Trip to museum or zoo
- Personal entertainment device (iPad mini, Kindle HD, 2DS XL, MP3 player)
Ages 0-3
- Puzzles (Melissa & Doug wooden peg puzzles)
- Blocks (Duplo, Mega Bloks)
- Books (I Spy, anything Dr. Seuss)
- Games (Spot It, Bingo, Dominoes)
- Animals in a toob
- Magazine subscription (Zoo Books, High Five, National Geographic Little Kids)
Ages 4-6
- Legos
- T-Rex shirt, sports team clothing
- Puzzles, books, flashcards
- Arts and crafts supplies
- Leap Pad reader/early reader/explorer
- Toy cars, trucks, machinery, trains (Thomas the Tank Engine train set/table)
- Instruments (guitar, keyboard, bongos)
- Action figures/sets (Batman, Spiderman, Mike the Knight, Star Wars)
- Chalk trail (attach to back of bicycle)
- Games (Angry Birds, Hungry Hippo, I Can Do That/The Cat in the Hat)
- Magazine subscription (Highlights, National Geographic Kids)
Ages 7-9
- Skylanders Swap force figurines & Wii game
- Video game console/games
- Board games (Hedbanz, Apples to Apples Kids/Junior, Life)
- Magazine subscription (Ranger Rick, Sports Illustrated Kids, YUM Food & Fun for Kids)
- Donation to children’s charity in his name
Ages 9+
- Gift cards (iTunes, batting cages, arcade)
- Star Wars Death Star Lego set
- Kitchen supplies (hot dog steamer, popcorn maker, personal smoothie blender)
- Magazine subscription (Sports Illustrated, Ranger Rick)
I hope this list has helped inspire gift giving to the boys in your life. And just for fun, I’ll wrap up this boy gift post with a few fun snapshots of my little brother and a few of his favorite gifts from childhood…love you, bro!!!
Erik and “Arnold Leo” (an original Cabbage Patch Kid)
Erik and his GI Joe loot (during his 9th birthday party)
Related articles
- 2013 Best Gift Ideas for Girls (mixedbagofmoxie.wordpress.com)
Mixed Bag of Moxie 