B'Day Gift for Boy -- Age 7

12 years ago

Help this clueless grandmother with some ideas of what to get a boy for his 7th birthday. (Up to $100.)

Nate is math/science type more than sports-oriented, although he does play baseball and mixes it up with the other boys in his first grade class. He enjoys board games (but seems to already have them all). He's a chess nut, sometimes beating older kids in his after-school chess activity. He's always been crazy about marine life -- first 'lovie' was Nemo. He and Mom cook. He's has an imaginary 'science lab' underground in his back yard where he 'discovers' things. He's 90th percentile tall and thin and a bundle of energy. He lives in the city, so he can't just run out and play, and the house is already overflowing with toys (and baby gear for his 1-year-old sister). They have X-Box, and he likes to play games on our Wii. Uncle works for Disney; electronic stuff is *covered*.

Yes, he already has TOO MUCH...but he's a kid, and it is his BIRTHDAY! HELP!

The family is pretty busy. Mom teaches Jr. High math. Dad is a paramedic and is attending college. They have a membership at the Museum of Science and Industry. Mom's family are scientists, MD's, attorneys; Nate has that kind of mind.

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Comments (16)

Sally Brownlee
12 years ago
My first thought was a good telescope...or a microscope - it is very, very cool to see micro organisms...
threejs
12 years ago
One thing to include in the gift that is not included in the monetary limit is a "coupon" from you or the grandparents would be a computer generated pass for a full day of his choice to do or go anywhere he wants within reason. We did and still do it with the kids. One that comes first to mind is the youngest wanted to go camping but in the back yard!! They, to this day, talk about the birthday weekend that we all camped in the back yard....the house was off limits as were the phones and everything else of comfort. We had to do as we would in the woods..took a bit of preparing but it was fun and started a lifetime of memories.
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azzalea
12 years ago
How about a metal detector--they come in all price ranges, and there are 'kid' versions that aren't overly expensive.

Or--What about instead of a 'thing' something along the lines of an 'experience'. A few ideas:

A class at the local zoo, museum, art school--whatever you can find that would be geographically feasible, that would catch his interest. He might enjoy a kids' cooking class, too.

Or a trip with Grandma--maybe overnight to a city with a great science museum or aquarium, or a national park or the beach so he can investigate more wildlife? A whale-watching cruise (if you're near enough someplace that has those).

Since he does have so many cool things already, I'd be leaning toward making the gift an experience we could share together, rather than buying more toys, etc.
tami_ohio
12 years ago
How about books or gift cards to a book store. My 8 y/o grandson loves those. And I like threejs suggestion, too. And the boys that age seem to love beyblades (think tops). There are all kinds of different ones, and arenas for them to compete in. When my 3 get together, all I hear is "1, 2, 3, let it riiiippppp!" And the volume increases with each time! LOL they have fun, and I can put the mouse ears on so I don't hear most of it!

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matti5
12 years ago
My boys loved Lego's when they were young. They would sit for hours and build really fun and imaginative things. The possibilities are endless!
janie_ga
12 years ago
Subscriptions to WORLD and National Geographic for kids?

I LOVED my WORLD magazine and probably got it for 10-12 years. Or maybe there is another science/math magazine that he would like.
jkayd_il5
12 years ago
Anything Lego. Better ask parents what they have first. I have five and nine years old grandsons and they both love Legos. They cost anywhere from about 7.00 on up to 100.00.
marie_ndcal
12 years ago
Ask him or his parents -- like several said maybe a trip to a museum but make sure it is kid friendly.--Such as you be the tour guide and show me the stuff--then lunch out-- then a walk in a park talking about what is outdoors--nature tied in with science.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
A second vote on a microscope, just a simple dissecting scope. You should be able to get decent one for a child for less than $100, with multiple lenses and an included kit of slides and other tools.

Endless hours of entertainment for a kid like that.
carla35
12 years ago
He may like "Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists". Great Reviews. (There are some other similar kits availible too).

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon Science Kit
ont_gal
12 years ago
I opened an " in-trust" bank account for my about-to-be 7 yr old Grandson-he's thrilled!
wildchild
12 years ago
Another vote for Legos. It is very important for children of his age to have toys he are open-ended to use his imagine with. Legos cover it all. Best toy ever, no batteries, spatial skills builder,promotes analytical thought processes and even math skills.

Your description his personality fits Lego to a T. The chess strategy is also a clue to his right brained focus. Legos are great for right brained kids.
gazania_gw
12 years ago
A lot of good sugestions above. Here is a simple one that doesn't cost much and has nothing to do with electronics/gadgets/games, but I believe most any kid would love.

My 52 year old daughter recently told me that one of her most loved 'toys' while growing up was a small combination safe where she could keep secrets and small items hidden from her younger sister. I took her advice and gave one to the 8 year old boy next door for his birthday. He was thrilled! He has a 4 year old sister who is always "snooping in my stuff" he says.

I found them at a chain store called Five Below and I would think that Toys Are Us would be a place to look.
kayjones
12 years ago
Mine are in the age range of your GC, and they ALWAYS want a gift card. One wants a Walmart gift card to buy gaming cards and the other wants a gift card to Game Stop so he can buy the latest racing game. Of course, then they want Gramma to take them to the stores, which I am happy to do.
moonie_57 (8 NC)
12 years ago
My GS, also a Nathan, is like-minded as yours, chisue. Over the years I've bought many of the Science and Discovery toys from Toys R Us. He particularly likes the dinosaur excavation toys, where you excavate the bones and in the end construct the dinosaur. They range from small ones under $10 up to the larger ones that I believe are around $30. He likes all the magic rocks, fossils and crystal growing kits, microscopes, ant farms... oh, the list goes on! Azzaleas idea of a metal detector was a great one.

Although my GS likes legos and games ok, they aren't something he's wild about. When he has money to buy his own things, he picks items such as magnets and butterfly/fishing nets. The big hit last summer was a bug zapper. And it had to make the zapping sound, not those new quiet ones. LOL
teresava
12 years ago
If he has a 1 year old sister in the house LEGOs might not be a great gift.

Not sure if you know this store, Lakeshore Learning, but it's wonderful!!! They have tons of educational toys and games that my kids enjoy. We can spend hours in the store. I linked the page for science and 7 year olds.

Also think the magazine subscriptions to National Geographic or Highlights would be fun. My kids LOVE to get mail of any kind.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lakeshore Learning

B'Day Gift for Boy -- Age 7

Comments (16)

Sally Brownlee

threejs

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