I'm usually very good at buying presents for children.
It's always hit & miss of course, but I usually get feedback from some member of the family that the children were raving about something I gave them months later...
But this year I'm kinda stuck for presents for my 9 year old nephew. When my niece was this age it was easy - Barbie (yawn). My nephew is quite creative though, and doesn't seem to be into the usual gender stereotypical toys.
I've got him a set of Horrible Science books (science with all the gooey bits left in or something like that) for his birthday (15 December) And a camera that takes 4 pictures at once for Christmas - but it doesn't come anywhere near with I bought my niece and I'm running out of ideas.
What's hot for 9 year olds these days?
Is he into Doctor Who? There are some great Doctor Who things out there.....mind you.....I kind of want the cyberman helmet myself :P
I honestly don't know. I did look at the Dr Who stuff, but figured if he was into it then it's probably something he'll get for his birthday.
I'll ask my sister. I'd rather it was something fairly unusual though. So it stands out from the other things he'll be getting (always the problem for December children)
Projectiles are always fun. Seriously.
This foam bow and arrow set should be fun.
Try
http://www.gifts.com/personality/mr-imagination/ohMr12aicp37s out. You can look at gifts w/prices for various different personalities, such as a Brainiac or a Jock.
My son loved making things, so he often got building kits such as Lego's or Knex, model cars, etc.
Now...what to get an 11 yr old girl (going on 16)?
Stormie
Now...what to get an 11 yr old girl (going on 16)?
Nail polish and care kit? (or a "BIA-in-training" sign to warn everyone) I remember my mother complaining over the phone to her friend about my younger sister going from 13 to 32.... :D
What's hot for 9 year olds these days?
How about a 9 year old girl?
If you can't find some fun here, you're not trying hard enough. I spent an hour (and some $$) walking through the store. Much fun!
Lego, go for one of the advanced building sets. They are lots of fun I, uhm err I mean, my kids love playing with them. They actually have trains and remote control cars that work.
Any nine year old boy who doesn't like
building things is a fag, so get him a barbie in that case.
Get him a tool kit. (seriously) One of those 110 piece dealies. (usually made in China and available pretty cheaply) Although his folks will love you when he pulls apart the DVD player, he'll learn heaps of cool stuff with it.
Is he interested in music? I find musical type "toys" are not only entertaining, they are educational, and might find the kid has a knack for the music.
Nothing too loud, though, out of respect for the parents. When my nephews were younger I had great joy in getting musical toys for them while my brother just kind of looked at me! :)
Now I get to start the same tradition with my much younger nieces!
Since this is not for your own child ... the two best criteria to try to meet for a present are "loud" and "messy." If it's both, you really win. If there is a paint spinner set that makes fart noises, you will be thought the best auntie in the whole world ... by the kid. His parents will hate you forever, and not allow you to ever buy anything for the child ever again.
Something with wheels and/or low yield explosives will satisfy any male in this age group.
pokemon, yugi oh, magic cards? star wars figurines. heelies. slot cars. train set. bongos. art supplies. metal detector.