I need gift ideas for a 7 year old boy

Silver King · Mar 2, 2010

Most kids that age would love to have a magic trick set. Some kits come with a how-to DVD that helps train the budding magician in the art of wowing a crowd. Different sets are available with a variety of props, and you can start with a kit that's geared for younger beginners.

I came across this site that you can scan for more ideas if such a gift is of interest. (I'm not recommending you purchase anything from that site, as I've never dealt with them before; just including it here as an example of what's available.)

Good luck.

poetinahat · Mar 2, 2010

Oh, yeah - SK reminded me:

A Radio Shack 50(?)-in-1 electronics set is GREAT fun, if they're still around (saw something like it locally a few weeks ago, so I'd think they are). It's a board with electronic components (resistors, transistors, lightbulbs, speakers, dials, switches, etc.) built in, with springs for the connections. You get a bunch of wires, and you make various things happen by connecting various components.

A chemistry set might be good too, if he's old enough.

How-The-Human-Body-Works models are good, too - I used to have one where you could take apart the skeleton and internals, and fit them back together. And a Visible Pumping Heart - it was a cross-section of a heart, with coloured fluid in it and a pump balloon, so you could see how the heart manages blood circulation.

Ken · Mar 2, 2010

... yoyo's are neat.

ad_lucem · Mar 2, 2010

poetinahat said:
Oh, yeah - SK reminded me:

A Radio Shack 50(?)-in-1 electronics set is GREAT fun, if they're still around (saw something like it locally a few weeks ago, so I'd think they are). It's a board with electronic components (resistors, transistors, lightbulbs, speakers, dials, switches, etc.) built in, with springs for the connections. You get a bunch of wires, and you make various things happen by connecting various components.

A chemistry set might be good too, if he's old enough.

How-The-Human-Body-Works models are good, too - I used to have one where you could take apart the skeleton and internals, and fit them back together. And a Visible Pumping Heart - it was a cross-section of a heart, with coloured fluid in it and a pump balloon, so you could see how the heart manages blood circulation.

On the electronics... that's why I like the stuff from Elenco so much. They have soemthing called "snap circuits" and non-soldering kits. I mean, this way they can have all the fun of building the projects (based on schematics provided or on their own design, if they understand it well enough) without worrying about having to strip the wires or solder anything.

Just wanted to add that. Of course, I like the kits that take a little extra work like soldering and all that... but the snap circuits really give the kids more control and allow them to experiment without so much input from mom/dad.

And, of course, I love Radio Shack...and Fry's Electronics...and...really anything like that.

rhymegirl · Mar 2, 2010

How about a jar of peanut butter?

jennontheisland · Mar 2, 2010

lol RG I was thinking Nutella.

Thanks for the awesome ideas everyone. I'm definitely going searching for a whoopie cushion. And maybe a magic kit. Activity sets were my domain, and with me not around, I'm worried that they won't get played with... But a magic kit, he could do that himself.

I guess this means I'll have to go *gasp* shopping.

poetinahat · Mar 2, 2010

poetinahat said:
Actually, the humble Whoopee Cushion is always popular!

Oh, and joy buzzers. And hot-pepper gum. And black-foaming soap. And snakes-in-a-can. And exploding golf balls. And stink pellets to put in cigarettes. And invisible ink markers. And all that old-time practical-joke gear.

(Hmmm. Actually, I think I know what I want for *my* birthday...)

stormie · Mar 3, 2010

poetinahat said:
Oh, and joy buzzers. And hot-pepper gum. And black-foaming soap. And snakes-in-a-can. And exploding golf balls. And stink pellets to put in cigarettes. And invisible ink markers. And all that old-time practical-joke gear.

(Hmmm. Actually, I think I know what I want for *my* birthday...)

You're never too old. (You forgot fake poop and vomit.)

BenPanced · Mar 3, 2010

jennontheisland said:
lol RG I was thinking Nutella.

Thanks for the awesome ideas everyone. I'm definitely going searching for a whoopie cushion. And maybe a magic kit. Activity sets were my domain, and with me not around, I'm worried that they won't get played with... But a magic kit, he could do that himself.

I guess this means I'll have to go *gasp* shopping.

If you can find a magic kit, you can probably find the whoopie cushion next to it. A lot of stores are set up like that.

backslashbaby · Mar 3, 2010

I got my little neighbor an awesome Spy Kit at that age

Just from the internet, but it was really cool. It had invisible ink that he could decode with some solution and a recording pen and things.

jennontheisland · Mar 8, 2010

Well, I went with the old standbys of books and movies. Found a couple DVDs in the deep discount bin at the grocery store, and picked up a couple early readers at the university bookstore. Spiderman, SuperMan and StarWars.

I filled it out with candy from the dollar store.

I'd bought myself a really cheap kids digital camera a couple days ago, and it made a good impromptu gift for him when I got him home today.

Thanks again everyone for all the wonderful suggestions and support.

Ken · Mar 8, 2010

... good selections. I'm sure the lad will be pleased

I need gift ideas for a 7 year old boy

Silver King

Megalops Erectus

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

Ken

ad_lucem

Peligro:Herbicidal Poriomaniac

rhymegirl

It's a New Year!

jennontheisland

the world is at my command

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

stormie

storm central

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

backslashbaby

*

jennontheisland

the world is at my command

Ken

I need gift ideas for a 7 year old boy

Megalops Erectus

Numbers are beautiful

Peligro:Herbicidal Poriomaniac

It's a New Year!

the world is at my command

Numbers are beautiful

storm central

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

~~~~*~~~~

the world is at my command

*