Gift Idea's for 9 Year Old Step Son

I was a nanny for a set of extremely weatlthy twins. Their parents were as old as my own so they really didn't know how to relate to their children. Out of guilt they bought them toy after toy after toy, half of which never got opened. The children have fonder memories of spending quality time with me because experiences last longer than material possesions. Maybe find out if their is a monster truck rally or take him to a pro. basketball game.... Not only will he remember the experience vs. the gift you give him, he's likely to like it better than what his mom might spoil him with this time. Not that it's a competition...but trust me...

hi there! i have a 10 year old son so i thought about stuff he likes. he loves sports so he puts on his xmas and bday lists sporting equip (new bat, glove, bag etc) he also loves gift cards to wal mart or movie stores or game stores where he can get whatever he wants. he loves movies and is getting more into music so maybe cd's. he is also really into legos and the bigger sets of things you can make. well there are some ideas, hope that helps!!

Stephanie,

Since he likes skateboarding, by him a skateboard if he is a beginner you can get one from Wal-mart that is inexpensive. If he isn't a beginner, get it from Good Times or SA Skatepark. Just a thought.

L.

My oldest son is 8, will be 9 in January. He is also addicted to the gameboy. He plays sports football,basketball,soccer, ect... But when there is nobody to play with he loves his video games. There is a gameboy adapter at gamestop and walmart that lets you play the gameboy games on the gamecube if he has one. If your trying to stay away from the brainwashing video games i would agree with the skatepark pass, or the skateboard. There is also lazer quest. boys love that....

I recently read an article about how kids are becoming too materialized with stuff! So I would definitly check into tickets to a baseball/football/soccer/basketball game, zoo, museum...and make it a day just for him with his family. I would think that would be more memorable years from now than a toy.

Hi! I have an 8 year old girl, and I sell Discovery Toys. I got her some great board games that are both fun and educational. One is called Totally Tut, and another is Timing it Right. You can go to www.discoverytoyslink.com/missyarbon if you want to see them plus all the other toys and games we have. If you find other things you like for your little girl, you can host a party and get your toys free. It is a great idea to start Christmas shopping early! Thanks!

My son loved Kinecs it is a building set that you can buy motors for. You build cars, motorcycles, all kinds of things.
You can buy them at Walmart and lots of other places.
L.

Here's a couple ideas that I had...
> Buy a pass to a skatepark. There's one off Siegen, I think, and one in Lafeyette. On the weekends that ya'll have him you could spend the afternoon at the park. There's a Rukus skateboard shop off Jones Creek that sells protective gear if needed. I would call and ask about the different skating sessions, they usually have something for a younger age group.
> Maybe just buy him a giftcard to the movies. He could use it whenever there was a new movie out that he wanted to see.
> If he's really into videogames maybe there's a class someplace that teaches kids about them...something hands-on where they can make their own.
Hope this helps or at least gives you some new ideas!

Since you are on a limited time frame with your step-son, i would suggest an 'adventure'. give him tickets to something he wants to go see, or something special he would like to do. Other siblings not allowed, so he doesn't feel like he has to share his present . And it's good that you started planning early. It would give you time to research what upcoming event there are. Memories last longer than toys! good luck, J. O

Hi Stephanie,
I'm not sure if this will help, but just thought I would give it a shot. I have a niece this age& it is a hard age. She LOVES going to the movies with her girlfriends, so we are going to be giving her gift cards to the movies. She also love to do her own shopping now(to a certain degree!), so she loves getting gift cards to the mall, they can redeem them at any store! I don't think at this age, they're much into toys anymore. Maybe this will help! Good Luck! C. L.

Do you have a computer? Kids love computer games. Does he have a bike or roller blades? Does he like to fish? Maybe you could buy him fishing gear and daddy can take him fishing?

Hi, I have a nine year old too whom has nearly everything... One thing he does love is this stuff called FLOAM. It is putty that has little beads of styrofoam in it. It comes in many colors even glow in the dark. It can be put on anything to decorate it the way they'd like. It looks messy, but hey we are talking about boys aren't we? They love messy,sticky stuff. The beads of foam keeps it from being too sticky though. They have commercials for it on Nickelodeon, I have been buying his at Wal-Mart in the toy department.

I hope that helps.

9-11 year old boys are at a pivotal point in their development both emotionally and physically. Many are already at puberty and really don't know what to think about all of the physical changes, some are not noticing changes themselves, but see the changes in boys they interact with and aren't quite sure if they are "behind" or "ahead" of their peers. Not much attention is spent on this issue with boys the way it is with girls, because girl's development is much more noticeable and, in this day and time, more publically talked about. I say all of that to say that what he probably needs the most is time with his Dad to spend together doing something just for the two of them. Have whatever traditional family celebration you normally have, but let Dad suggest to him that he choose his "gift" of whatever he would like to do (just he and dad) together, movies, sporting event, dinner out, fishing, etc. (that is within your budget). Kids are so smart, and more than likely he knows his mom is trying to "buy" a relationship she simply cannot provide. Buying more things or trying to find/create a new interest for him just won't work. Once he feels secure in his "impending manhood" (I know it sounds dramatic, but can't think of a better term", and knows his bond with his Dad will only become stronger as he matures, he will feel more secure in trying mor things and becoming his own person.
I'm the mother of 5 sons, now ranging in age from 17-26, and one grandson, age 4. They have a terrific dad, and even though they are all very different, matured at different rates, etc., one thing they all needed and looked forward to was their own bonding time with Dad. After the first/birthday outing, they will more than likely want to have more time like this and can do something small once a month or so. One more thing...you know how men are...a little squeamish at first with getting the boys to talk about sensitive issues, but encourage your husband to be open, flexible and to try not to hyperventilate when the subject/question goes in "interesting" directions.
I assure you, this type of bonding with his Dad will strengthen the bond between your step-son and you and your daughter as well.
Children are truly a gift entrusted to us by God for a period of time. It truly takes a special person to be a part of raising a child that is not their own biologically; God has chosen you for this special blessing
Prayerfully,
L. K

I like the reply from Michele, good advise. One thought would be season pass to Schlitterbahn in Galveston. What kid doesn't like to go on water slides, float the river, etc. It pays for its self after about 3 visits. Summer season passes expire at the end of the summer season in the year in which they were purchased. Summer season passes are not valid during the Wasserfest Indoor Season. Year-round passes are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Otherwise get him into a hobby. Something like remote control cars, his Father and he could really do together.

Legos are great for his age. Maybe think about something he can do "Karate Lessons" or Seasons tickets to something. There is a really neat game out that my 9 year old son loves, called Pirates of the spanish main- they have 5 different series. Produced from wizkids- comes in a pack similar to yug i oh cards but they have ships inside that you can build. Its a fun game we play as a family. We purchase ours at Cards and Crafts inside the purple cactus store. 8180 Tezel @ Guilbeau. There number is ###-###-#### they are open fri- sun. Hope this helps.. C.