Birthday present for a 4 year old boy?

[NewJeffCT]

My daughter is going to a boy from her preschool/daycare's 4th birthday party tomorrow. When calling to RSVP, I asked the mom for an idea of what to get, and the response was "anything that is appropriate for a 4 year old boy is fine." Or, something to that effect.

She's never really been to a boy's party before - girls are easy at that age, because it's almost impossible to avoid Disney princess stuff at that age.

And, it's been 36 years since I was 4, so my memory is a bit fuzzy.

Instead of Disney princess, maybe some Disney pirates (Pirates of the Caribbean 3 coming out soon and all?) What do you think?

Anything else?

Nothing too expensive (I'd like to keep it to $20 to $25)

[Maine-ah]

1. matchbox cars

my nephew loves 'em and they're cheap too.

[Gormy Cuss]

7. Matchbox cars -- I second that. n/t

[Sabriel]

2. A puzzle. My 4 y.o. loved/s them

Here's his favorite:

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-24-Dinosaurs-Box/dp/B00004WHO4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/102-9544964-6447347?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1178288467&sr=8-3

[Connonym]

3. leggos

what kid can resist leggos?

[datasuspect]

4. something gorilla-related

[EstimatedProphet]

43. You mean, like a gorilla?

:)

[dropkickpa]

5. Spiderman is real big for the boys

Dropkid plays with ranging in age from 2-9 years old.

[NewJeffCT]

6. good timing with the new movie coming out, too

thanks for the idea.

[MissMillie]

8. books

ask someone in the children's section at the book store about what might be appropriate (or you could do a search online at Amazon before going to the book store).

[NewJeffCT]

13. thanks - good idea

fun & educational. good idea for a gift.

[trof]

9. My 4-year old grandson is NUTS about Spiderman.

[Radio_Lady]

35. My 6-year-old grandson is crazy for Spidey, also. Trouble is...

his mother won't let him go to the movie in a theater.

He has to wait until it's out on DVD.

I've purchased about six Spiderman shirts and pajamas. The little guy's pretty patient about it all.

God love him -- his older sister, age 9, is a WUZZ about action films, but he's learned that he can watch them over at Grandma and Grandpa's house when she's not around!

[LaraMN]

10. A box of Eggo waffles.

Well, that would make MY four-year-old boy really happy.

Can't go wrong with art supplies, otherwise.

[Shell Beau]

11. Maybe a Disney movie or something like that!

Kids love movies. Check out whatever the popular Nickelodeon cartoons are for that age and get a toy that goes with that! Kiddie books are also always a good gift! My 3 year old nephew loves Spiderman right now!

[skygazer]

12. I just bought gifts for a four year old boy

My grandson. I got him a set of children's walkie-talkies, a large-piece puzzle featuring construction equipment and a set of Matchbox size Tonka construction style Tonka trucks.

I included a note to my daughter (his mom) to explain to both my grandson and his sister that their grandmother has operated virtually every one of them. :P

Which I have. :)

Cars and trucks, though - they're always big.

[Arugula Latte]

14. A big cardboard box -- the kind large appliances come in. nt

[dropkickpa]

40. Sweet Jeebus yes

I still have to sneak boxes out to the trash at night.

When I was a little kid, I remember this cardboard playhouse my parents bought me. I loved that stupid thing until my older brothers destroyed it in a wrestling match!

[SarahB]

15. Something creative that involves superheroes.

A dress up set (Superman or Spiderman maybe) or Legos (probably still the Duplos at that age). Possibly a superhero active figure set. Something that they can use their imagination with in some way.

:hi:

[JVS]

16. If you had bought me this when I was 4, I'd have made you my god

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5691444



$17.97

At first I was going to suggest a few hotwheels cars, but a playset is much cooler

[LibraLiz1973]

31. Dude that is awesome!!

[meegbear]

17. Ginsu knife set or underwear ...

either one is practical and smart looking.

[NewJeffCT]

21. how about a kid-sized chainsaw?

I'm sure his mom would love that.

[meegbear]

24. Oooooh and matching goalie mask ...

Gifts the tyke will always remember well into adulthood.

[Whoa_Nelly]

18. Look at this site for ideas! It has helped me out many times

ts.com/

You can even search by age group

[Rude Horner]

19. A 4 year old girl

I'm kidding! It's a joke! :)

[NewJeffCT]

20. A few months back

When i went to pick up my daughter after work, she was off in the corner with this birthday boy, and another boy as well.

[Rude Horner]

22. I think it's the age of curiousity

At that age, myself, I can remember the "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" games with Karen, the girl who lived down on the corner house of my block. My first pre-crush. :)

[KitchenWitch]

23. Jigsaw Puzzles, Board Games

I like to give gifts that can be played with in groups. Thus, no video games etc.

Trouble is a fantastic game to give to a child that age.

[grasswire]

25. I always had good luck with a field guide to insects

The Audobon Society's Field Guide to Insects, along with one of those bug keepers is a great way to start a child on the way to being interested in the natural world. The book may seem too old, but a real tool is better in the long run than a dumbed down book, IMO.

[Kali]

42. yes

or a reptile guide

[AlCzervik]

26. Legos.

[Katina]

27. dinosaur figures & a book

my son LOVED dinosaurs at that age.

[jmowreader]

28. How badly have the parents pissed you off lately?

If you like his parents: Matchbox cars are fine.

If his parents are not so good (drive SUV, listen to Pigboy, have W sticker on the back of their car)...well, drums are the gift that keep on giving.

[MsKandice01]

38. OMG that reminds me...

At my friend's 2-year-old's birthday party a few months ago, someone showed up with a box. This box contained cymbals, a triangle, maraccas, one drum, one of those long tubular things with ridges that you run a stick along the side of to make noise (the name escapes me right now) and other miscellaneous LOUD toys. The mom tried her best to feign happiness when that gift was opened but I could see right through it. Once the gifts were all opened, she leaned over to me and said, "Payback is a bitch." The people who gave her that gift have a 2 AND 3-year-old.

[jmowreader]

45. The long tubular thing is a guiro

Very popular in Latin music.

[AzDar]

29. A little something I always do: Go to Amazon.com and in the toy section they

have a 'bestsellers by age/sex' function
Make a note of the top 5, and head to Toys'R'Us.
Hasn't failed me yet...

[Scooter24]

30. I've done that a few times as well...

in fact, this seems to be a pretty cool gift-

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera for Boys $54.95

[Taverner]

32. My 4 y o likes Sesame Street

You could always get the "Old School" Sesame Street collection - 1969-71

[LibraLiz1973]

33. Do you have a Five and Below near you?

Because you could get a few great things from there.
I made a basket for my nephew that was the hit of his birthday party-
really cool stuff.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

34. Plastic bat and baseball

what? You can't start 'em too soon! :)

[riderinthestorm]

36. Slip 'N Slide or some other fun water toy that can be set up in the yard

Something that gets these kids up and running outside when they are 4 years old. Sand toys, a giant bottle of bubbles or sidewalk chalk.

[MsKandice01]

37. My son is turning 4 today...

And he's HUGE into Hot Wheels cars, monster trucks and Spiderman.

[NewJeffCT]

39. Happy birthday to your son

Unfortunately, my daughter was just diagnosed with strep throat, so won't be going to any birthday parties today.

[Kali]

41. art supplies

[EstimatedProphet]

44. 2 words: BONG HITS

Oh wait, that was a different thread...

[applegrove]

46. Get him a dump truck. Or the video of dump trucks working. Go to the video store

and find something in the children's section.