Xmas present for an 11 year old boy

[chattykathy]

This year I'm joining in with my sister's workplace scheme of giving a present to a child in care. I've been allocated an 11 year old boy. They haven't given any background or an inkling as to his interests etc so any ideas will be welcome. I'm a bit out of touch as my little boy is 25!
We're only supposed to spend about £6 but I'm prepared to spend more than that obviously.

[Answerprancer]

Have a wonder around "Fun Learning" there are loads of scientific toys and gadgets there - I find it quite fun to wonder around when I have to buy kids prezzies. You could maybe get him a DVD.

[Rodge2]

I bought 'Juggling for the complete Klutz' kits for my godson and his brother.

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Says £9.99 on the back of the book - so good value. Also good laugh trying to learn to do it!

[EcclesCake]

Not my strong suit either but when I'm in a similar position I go for a goody bag to spread the risk.

I'm not sure what the current trend is for trading cards, they were Star Wars etc in my day but no doubt you can get Football ones now. I wouldn't have thought you'd go too far wrong with a set of Top Trumps either.

No idea how much any of these things cost though!

[Answerprancer]

A yoyo - I recommend the "Henry's Viper".

[chattykathy]

Thank you - some great ideas already! :-)

[chattykathy]

'Fun Learning' looks a great site! Thanks

[Ellipsis]

A book - maybe "Stormbreaker" (the first in the Alex Rider series) or "The Hobbit", which is due out as a film next year and which I first read and loved as a boy aged about 11 (over 30 years ago now, sadly ...)

For more glitzy stuff, this site is great for "Stocking Fillers" ...

www.hawkin.com

[annie0000]

If you can pick it up cheaper than cover price, then the Guinness book of records, or Ripleys believe it or not are very popular in my house (boys aged 11 and 10) should be able to get either for under a tenner with a bit of careful shopping. You can get a Breo sport watch for about the £10 mark too. Sweeties/chocolate always go down well.

[annie0000]

My two would consider themselves too old for top trumps now - I think kids are just too grown up too quickly now. It's all ipods and games consoles. Richard Hammond does some science kits - blast lab I think and they can be good. If the boy was into sports, you can get a decent football or rugby ball about that price too.

[boxtops]

My nephews enjoyed scientific stuff at that age, make a clock out of a potato, stuff like that.

[EcclesCake]

I suspected as much Annie; using my 50yr old OH as a sample does not make him representative of all males....I just thought the mental age would be the same!

[annie0000]

lol eccles - that'll be about right!! They are just all too cool for anything nowadays.

[China Doll]

What is this charity/scheme called please chatty?

[annie0000]

it's a hard age to be honest - I am kind of struggling for Christmas with my own two - a few months can make a huge difference in what they think of things. My 11 year old was into club penguin and lego earlier in the year, now it's all about minecraft and ipods and Lynx body sprays and penknifes (no, he isn't getting it!!!). Mine love reading, but their friends are not so much, but they all like facts kind of books so that is pretty safe.

[annie0000]

china our work does a similar thing, they team up with a local charity/childrens home. we used to get gifts, but now they just want cash so they can choose what to buy or give them gift vouchers.

[chattykathy]

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your great ideas! The worst thing is they don't tell you anything about the child other than their name and age. I like the idea of the watch, annie!
I don't think it's arranged through a charity, I think it's someone where my sister works (Job Centre) who has a link to a children's home. Breaks your heart, really.
Thanks again

[annie0000]

these ones I was thinking about kathy:

http://www.google.co....94e6&biw=1024&bih=677

My kids have them in small and are 10 and 11 and fairly tall but not wide!!

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