Trying to decide whether to buy this Christmas Present for my 7 yr old

I would download the certificate and get him a globe or a scratch map - google or try Amazon which he could scratch out each country he has he has learned about every month. What a lovely thoughtful gift for a 7 year old.

It sounds lovely but wouldn’t a 7 year old want something to open and whizz round with that sounds a present for an older child ( or maybe you) unless he’s a very serious acedemic 7 year old
Sounds very interesting though but personally I would buy him something to open and play with at Christmas

My grandson would have loved that when he was seven. I agree that he needs something to open onChristtmas Day, but it needn’t be something he can play with there and then. He will have other presents, after all. If he hasn’t got a globe that sounds a good idea. Not sure what a scratch map is, but that sounds good too.

I think it's a very good idea and rather than thinking about him not having a gift to open from you on Christmas day, (amongst all the others he'll no doubt receive) I'd be anticipating his delight at getting something 'extra' during the following months.

Thanks and haven't heard of these scratch maps will look - yes i'm pleased with the gift, I wanted something fun we could do together that wouldn't take too long!

Coincidentally, I've had a scratch map waiting to be scratched for about a year now, and I'd just decided that today's the day! I've finally ordered, and had delivered, a poster hanger for it too, so it should look splendid up on the wall by tomorrow.

I think that sounds a great idea, manchester. I get so fed up with the horrible plastic toys that kids are usually given (I'm as guilty as the rest). This is a much better option. Like others have remarked, I think he will have so many other presents to open on 25/12 that he probably doesn't need another one but if it makes you feel better then a map is a very good idea. Perhaps a poster sized one he could stick up on his bedroom wall? Incidentally, you do realise he will soon be badgering you to actually take him to some of the places on the map? Hope you are prepared.

Thanks so much everyone -so the company have told me that the box also comes with a big map for the wall - so the map idea goes out the window. It sounds like such great value and he get a little letter with his name on the front from a 'friend' in each country, I know he will love getting something through the post.

In case anyone is interested I found them on Facebook, called @ourlittleglobe and I signed up with my email to get their free delivery coupon
Happy for him to wait til January to receive! Thanks everyone.

Have ordered a subscription to a magazine for gd 8th birthday this week. It wont be delivered until after so have got her something she can unwrap which relates to the mag. I think she will love to get post addressed to her every month and nope she finds it of interest.
Will check out the one you mention, it sounds interesting.

Manchestermal Could you, please, tell me how much the subscription is? When I look on the website, all I get is a request for my email address! There’s no menu to click on (I’m using my iphone) Thanks ?

Is this an ad?

Hi Squiffy, they haven't opened their website yet, they said that's next week but I emailed them and asked for prices - this is what they said;

Monthly Direct Debit: £12.95 (cancel anytime)
6 Month Upfront Payment: £74.95
12 Month Upfront Payment: £145.00 PLUS a free kids cotton Our Little Globe apron

Hope that helps - i think i'm going to for the six month option.

Thanks Manchestermal. Out of my league pricewise I’m afraid.

Lucky I thought the same after googling!

When my grandson was seven he was given a computer game where he followed a boy around the world and learnt facts about each country he came to. I think it was called World Explorer.
He is now 15 and geography is still his favourite subject.
So obviously I would recommend getting anything like that.
Last year I started a subscription to The Week Junior for him and his sister, and they both enjoy reading it.
It's probably a bit old for him, directed at 9-14 year olds.
But he gets upset if it doesn't arrive on a Friday, as it didn't today.

I did subscriptions to National Geoegraphic Kids for two 9 years olds last year, that seemed to go down well. They had a cuddly toy jungle animal to open on the day. With a special it was quite reasonable and they both enjoyed getting a magazine every month.

Durhamjen, my grandson, now 8 and a half, has been reading The Week Junior since he was seven, so I wouldn’t bother about age. They pick out the bits that interest them. He has Aquila, too.

OP

He’s too young for it. Trust me.
Cancel and then buy in at least 2 Years

I say that as the mother of a 4 year old.

Lovely present just not for now

That's good, Grandma70.
There's a lot to read in it, isn't there? Good bitesize pieces; then you can expand on anything online.
My daughter in law then takes them to use in her job as a TA.
They are well used.
We always do the big debate, then vote online.

You do realise this is a present for YOU, not for him?

Lovely present. You could give him the lonely planet kids amazing world atlas - Bringing the world to life. New costs £14.99 ISBN 978 1 74360 389 5
then maybe he has also had his birthday present.

No problem giving that to a 7 year old, as long as you know enough about him to know it is something he will enjoy. Both my children would have enjoyed it at 7 so would both of my DGC.

I gave DGD tickets to the ballet, The Nutcracker, when she was 4 1/2 and she fully understood the process of waiting several weeks before she went to the theatre to see the show. I gave her something small as well. You could do likewise.

Some fantastic ideas on here, thankyou all very much - I hadn’t heard of these things and think my DGD would love some of them, especially the computer game.

I have given a season ticket to a zoo before and that went down very well and I took gs too.