Present for 9 year old boy?

PS Waterstones vouchers are always a hit with my GCs as they read huge quantities of books.

Amazon have ‘ wish lists’ I encourage my GCs to pop any wants onto their wish list that I can then access at any time, saves me constantly asking my DD what they want or need. I don’t always but them from Amazon of course, mostly it’s box sets of book ,Warhammer models or items that I can get in the shops.

I finished up giving my grandson Monopoly, not an expensive present but a great hit. The only drawback is that anyone within sight (luckily not me) has to play endless games with him in every spare moment.

I also gave him a couple of books, having spent ages finding something he hadn’t read.

Now we are back in contact with DGSx2 the oldest who will 9 in May has asked us for a game for his XBox. I think at that age they do appreciate the cost of games as they are able to research them on line. DGS did say when he asked me for it that it cost £x and asked if that was ok.
He and his brother also love lego.

I recommended Stretch Armstrong for DGS at Christmas and when DD went to buy it the saleslady recommended that she didn't buy one. She chose something else.
Now his birthday is coming up and I'm stumped again!

True I garee!

Well my grandson is 11.5 and I struggle to know what to buy him - he really does have all the gadgets: X-box, Apple Watch, iPhone, Computer, drone, hoverboard/balance board whatever it's called . So I think it's going to be money for him. We've bought vouchers before now for 'adventure' thingies, but have to remind his dad to make sure they're used before the expiry date!
Do those of you recommending Stretch Armstrong think it would be suitable for a boy of this age, or d'you reckon he's a tad too old?

Thanks, tessagee, for the tips about Wicked Uncle and Bright Minds. Off to start my Christmas shopping!!!!!

We bought Stretch Armstrong last Christmas for grandson (birthday on Christmas Day so presents always need a bit of thought!). It has been well played with and there is another version out this year so think we might buy that but think I had better get a move on as a few of the mums I meet at school pick-up time are buying them this year!! Also think the kite is a great idea.

Lots of really good ideas above. May I just also mention (if it is allowed by GN) that I find that the websites for both Wicked Uncle and Bright Minds are excellent. Plenty of variety for all ages and reasonable prices as well as the more costly stuff of course if that's what you want.

What you mean is that he is a bright child and has academic interests. If that is what he likes then give him what he likes, probably books or a subscription to one of the many clubs run for younger children with hobbies, Rockwatch for young geologists, Young Archaeologists, the RSPB has a young bird watchers club etc etc.

If this boy was sports mad everyone would be going to all lengths to encourage his interests but as soon as a child has intellectual interests everyone starts undermining him and trying to get him into doing things he doesn't want because they do not understand his interests or feel intimidated by them.

Kite wouldn’t be so good if his parents won’t have fun with him and he only sees other children at school as Luckygirl has said though Feelingmyage
Looks like Stretch was chosen and bought, hope he likes it

A kite, an easy one with the promise of a much more challenging one when he is ready. Lots of boffin stuff about wind speed, wind direction, weather conditions etc and out and about at the same time.

Lucky did your grandson like Stretch Armstrong?

I've just read that it's one of the 'must-haves' this Christmas - could become a collectors item!

My 9 yr old GS chose a garage from Hot Rods. He and his younger sister p,aged with it all summer. I also bought him the board game Labyrinth which has become a firm family favourite, suitable for ages 5-95.
As a frivolous gift I once bought him a pickled snake in a jar and it is a prize possesion

As a rule of thumb, I might give children money for the first time when they are 11. This tends to be the time in their lives when I start to struggle with knowing what to buy for them.

At what age can you start giving them money to choose their own presents? I have a grandson who will be nine next birthday, and it seems to me he already has everything. His parents don’t spoil him, but he has a lot of relations so gets a lot of presents. He’s been everywhere as well, and in any case like callgirl1 I”m not capable of taking him anywhere. It’s impossible, a real problem.

Lisalou, it wouldn`t work, firstly, I`m not capable of taking him out anywhere, wish I could, and secondly his parents aren`t tuned in to anything that`s remotely the sort of thing children do. He`s an only child, born after they`d been together for 20 years, and they actively encourage him to play on computers or his PS4, then they don`t have to amuse him themselves. It saddens me. He only comes into contact with other children at school.

callgirl, I would go for a treat - a day out doing something with you, or with one of his parents

My 11yr old GS is still obsessed with anything remote controlled car/boat/off road, and has been for the last few years. He loves lego, airplanes and his Xbox.

cinema tickets for two so he can go see a favourite film with a friend.

I am looking forward to lots of good clean fun! I am hoping it will be an antidote to his intellectual pursuits!

Lucky I'm so pleased with your decision, was about to offer to pay for Stretch to prove how much fun he is!

I was with DGS in Peter Jones and he insisted on buying this thing - a big heavy blob of gel-filled wrestler (my sister is amazed that I'd never heard of him). When we got home I've never laughed so much as DGS and I stretched and contorted him, particularly as he has these painted on skimpy speedos!

Lots of great ideas - thanks. I went for the Stretch Armstrong - suitable silly!

None of my GC play with lego - I wonder why not?

I would give him a promise of a day at an amusement park - to be redeemed, say, in the Easter holidays, when the weather gets better. Something for him to look forward to. If he can't wait, then some indoor activity like go-karting or indoor climbing (on ropes, walls, boulders, etc). These should be well supervised, so you don't have to be an expert yourself. Incorporated with a picnic with fun food à la Famous Five, or Hogwarts.