I need gift ideas for an 11 year old boy and a 13 year old boy. Money is kind of tight so we can't spend a lot. They act like toys and books are for babies, but are nowhere near responsible enough to take care of things such as mp3 players and such. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Moms.
How about a couple of old-school graphic Ts that are popular now? Rock and roll, 1970s and 80s Star Wars and superheroes. Old navy and Target have a good selection.
Gift cards are always a winner at this age. Even with boys. I have 10 and 11 year old sons and they both LOVE to get gift cards from sports stores (Modell's, Dicks, etc.), electronic stores (Best Buy, Circuit City), as well as video game stores (Gamestop, EB Games). Money is always a hit too. I never spend more than $20. If this boy is in to sports, maybe a t-shirt from his favorite sports team. Kohl's has good prices on sports team shirts. Another idea is baseball hats of his favorite teams. If I find something that's only $10 or so I usually slip in a bunch of candy bars, which they love! Hope this helps. Good luck!
I gave my cousin a dry erase board, eraser, and a bunch of markers when he was about this age. He loved it. I think he hung it on the outside of his bedroom door and used to draw pictures on it, write to do lists, write down cool quotes and song lyrics...Dry erase boards are also fun to bring on car trips for playing tic-tac-toe and other games.
Time is a treasured gift. A day out at laser tag, a movie, family dinner, or roller skating are all fun and cool. During those times, have deep "adult" (well, semi-adult) conversations, treating them at their new level of maturity. Gift ideas: money, gift cards, Gamestop certificates, etc. are always "cool" and welcome. Depending on your children, it could be a time to teach about thinking about others, maybe donating to their favorite cause or teaching them to give back time to their community.
Gift cards, Gift cards, for tween boys who think their to old for anything else.
I just responded to a ? about gifts for 10 year old. when my son was that age...I said GIFT CARDS! there is nothing more powerful to a young man than walking into his favorite store with "money" in hand! HE will simply be drunk with pleasure! not to mention it's a great lesson on spending!
good luck!
S. have you ever thought about Martial Arts classes as a gift for your boys,my sister has boys the same age and that is what she did,ast that age she said they can be very picky
Plug and play games are pretty popular, or a gift card to their favorite store? Good luck!
Do you have any kind of games consoles in the house like wii , xbox? You could get them some new games if you do.
My boys, also 11 and 13, like bionicles, K'Nex, graphic novels (extra long comic books), computer games (think Gamestop). What about the new Monopoly game? UNO? Trivial Pursuit for kids, Scene it for kids. Most of these are between $10 and $20. CHeck out the dollar stores, what are they into, how about books or movies. How about jsut some time with you and your husband, there are plenty of parks that cost $10 or less as a family, some are even free this time of year. At the beginning of the year, I budget money for county($25) and state($75) park passes, and we go whenever the urge strikes. We have had some fun times and great rides just to get to the parks.
Sports Illustrated for Kids is a great gift that gives all year long (if the like sports). Games magazine is great too (I loved it as a kid). Plus they seem more grown up if you are worried Highlights is too young. I agree that National Geographic for kids is great too. My sister's twin boys love getting magazine subscriptions for Christmas so we are probably renewing for the 3rd year this year.
Good luck.
My son turns 11 end of Oct and I'm having the same problem. I'm looking through the Edmund Scientific catalog and the model catapults seem reasonably priced. He can build, and learn a little about physics at the same time. Also, I'm not letting him use anything other than stale marshmallows as ammo and he can use it outside. Their site:
http://scientificsonline.com/
They have a lot that's fun and educational.
How about a magazine subscription like National Geographic Kids or Highlights?
Rollerblades or a skateboard!
I don't have tween boys but friends who do say that boys this age often like books better if the books are nonfiction, funky-fact-filled ones about either stuff that interests them a lot (baseball, if that's what they're into, or another sport, or building stuff etc.) or, to be honest, gross stuff! There are books out there that really are science books disguised as "100 slimy things your body does" kinds of books. You can get in some sneaky science facts while they think they're getting a gross-out guide. I know Barnes and Noble and Borders have these--ask a salesperson. And Bonnie's idea about science or building kits is excellent, but be sure first that the boys actually will build or experiment with whatever's inside rather than letting the box gather dust. Good luck!
Gift cards to Target, Walmart, JCP.
Boys around here are into the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' Books.
'Captain Underpants' books
If they have a Wii or DS, the guys around here like Sonic, Mario Olympics is coming out, Guitar Hero.
