My Son's Turning 10 - Need Bday Gift Ideas

Well, there may be some apps out there that would help with OT skills. Maybe talk to his therapist and see if they know of something. See if he would use those apps a certain amount of time if he had an iPad. If you go with it for the grandparents, would the other ones get him accessories? Case, chargers, itunes gift cards, etc. Other suggestions: bicycle, skateboard, certain brand name of shoes or clothing you wouldn't otherwise buy. I know 9 year-olds are liking some of the spy toys out there. Maybe a trip to Laser Tag with friends or siblings.

How about they pay for him to attend a cool summer camp.

How about experiences? We ask for family passes to the zoo, museums, etc,. We also ask for a small pocket or wall calendar with premade date day on there. Like his aunt (for example) could give him the calendar with a couple Saturday's marked for bowling with her. Or gift certificates to places he would like to spend time (laser tag? Paint balling? I don't know, I have a girl) for him and a friend/brother.
Personally, I like the family passes to museums. Lately my kids have been loving museum of science and industry. They have some great exhibits that are awesome entertainment, but also a learning experience. Their learning lab kids play area could keep my daughter (9) busy all day, and that is just one area!!

Get him the iPad!

From your family.... give him gift cards to go play laser tag, go-cart riding, mini golf, movie tickets, swimming at indoor pool.

Membership to a hands-on children's museum or science museum or aquarium? That could provide an opportunity for some of them to take him, or accompany you all, now and then, and it would be a gift that lasts all year. Exhibits change throughout the year, many are hands-on (which is very important for stimulation and for OT), and at 10 he can probably manage the drive to places an hour away. It's also a way to learn in a new way, as an alternative to school, where he struggles. It might pique his interest in some new areas. 8 and 10 year olds in my family got a ton of enjoyment out of these things - and if you have a membership, it's not so frustrating if you go and he gets tired or bored after an hour or two. You can always go again in a few weeks.

My mother-in-law bought my then 9 year old a kindle and my daughter used it for a while but rarely uses it now. My daughter is now turning 11 in Feb and would love an iPad. However, she is also a bit of a computer addict and it's hard to constantly monitor her time on the computer. As it is now, she has to ask to use my computer, which adds a bit of control. For Christmas she got gift cards from grandparents, a couple of craft kits, book store gift cards, barbies, moshi monsters, puffles and clothes. But, as they get older it is hard to find gifts. I was a little desperate this past holiday and got new bedding that she picked out. My husband thought that bedding shouldn't be a gift but her old stuff was pretty new and I thought, why not? Boys might be different, though. I have no idea what I'll get for her Feb birthday. But it won't be an iPad or a phone. My daughter has asked for WebKinz cash/points for playing online...I'm torn about that request. Good-luck!

I'd get the IPad, especially if it has some sort of value to help him as well as be fun.

As for everyone else, gift cards... movie basket, bowling night, laser tag night, Jump Street, etc.

I don't know about your area but we have a place called Main Event with bowling, arcade games, laser tag, food, etc and it is fun for all ages.

Happy Birthday!

I say let the gpatents get it for him. There are so many OT apps he can be using. He can definitely increase learning with all the math apps that are amazing. Practice typing etc. he does deserve it . I'm one of those who lives for the moment but I have had too my people and children included taken too soon. Sorry my experience and sadness has given me that attitude but I can't tell you how much more your chd can get from it and why deny him the educational tool just because he can have fun with it too? He is healthy and alive right now be grateful and celebrate his birthday with love and things he loves this year. He is here now.

I had a hard time with Christmas gifts for my 11 yo this year. One of the items we got him was a Helmet/Bike cam. He is excited to use it once it warms up and he can strap it on his helmet. What about Roller Blades, Snow board, sports stuff like a hockey net with sticks, paintball gun. Will he need a new bike for the summer? Nerf as well as a brand I saw at Target has toys that you put your Ipod into and play apps that way. There is a steering wheel, a hunting gun and a couple others I saw. Hope this helps or at least sparks an idea.

Good Luck!