Hellobee Boards

Last year our 5 year old got a few books and a ride on electric truck. I was shocked at how well he did with just getting one big thing as a combo birthday and Christmas present.

Oh, another thing he did get was a pop up indoor tent. It was a huge hit, he still uses it.

DS1 is newly 4. We are still trying to come up with ideas but will getting him this STEM toy from Target-a lot of toys are 20% off right now:

http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-think-learn-code-a-pillar/-/A-50720193

I'm currently in a Usbourne party so I'm trying to hustle and finish my orders and get my almost 4 year old nephew some books.

Legos are a definite. I also bought him a kite (I know it's out of season, but it was something he really wanted). We are thinking of having an old laptop upgraded for him or getting him a small tablet (1st generation Kindle Fire), but haven't made a decision between that and ice skating lessons (for hockey).

Though we aren't getting him this for Christmas, my SIL bought our 4-year old a teepee. He and our 1 year old LOVE it. It's in our family room at the moment, but it's by far the most used "toy" we have.

DS1 got a leappad the Christmas that he was 4. Also Magformers and a race track (that was what he asked for from Santa)

We are getting her Legos, perhaps a few puzzles, a few animals for her farm set (she loves to play with her farm), a rock/mineral project kit (she LOVES rocks), and I'm not sure what else we will do. I don't think that we will do a large gift this year.

My mom got her a purple unicorn on a stick (like a ride on thing - she really wanted this) and a pretend school set:

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Pretend-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00021Z2FU

@MamaG: Space is totally an issue. I'm not even going to lie. It takes up a lot of room. The nice thing about the teepee is that we can fold it up and put it by our big window when the kiddos go to bed so we don't have to have it up at all times, but still annoyingly big.

I've got about 10 books for her so far and she's circling what she wants in the Target toy ad. Will pick something from there to be from Santa. Will probably throw in some Legos cause she is really into them, just worry about my 1 year old putting them in her mouth.

I just ordered the Osmo kit for my 3 year old. My friends 4 1/2 year old loves it!

I also got her 1 year membership to the zoo, a book and will probably get her some leggings/shirts because she'll need to move up one size soon.

My LO turns four in 2 weeks. For her bday we're doing a dress up station. For Christmas her big gift is a ride on car. Haven't decided which one yet but leaning towards the Range Rover (if mama can't have one at least she can ). Other smaller gifts are Usborne Books, a purse, and some games.

He has been asking for games. He specifically wants Connect 4 and I am thinking about the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel. He is also asking for a steam roller truck and maybe a Paw Patrol toy too because he is newly into it and we don't have anything. I am also looking for some longer picture books and some Stage 1 readers.

ETA: The Hess truck too. My dad gives them to my kids and my nephews and they are always a huge hit. My nephew is 6.5 and still getting one this year.

My 4 year old nephew only talks about this. They are impossible to find, so we have everyone we know searching, ha. (Thanks @anya )
http://www.target.com/p/hatchimals-hatching-egg-penguala-by-spin-master-pink-red/-/A-51263846?sid=2212S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Toys+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Toys&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9060351&gclid=CLf84vOvq9ACFYtXDQod5VkCiw&gclsrc=aw.ds&lnk=fiatsCookie

Not that I have a 4-year-old yet, but what about playmobil sets. I know I uses to love them growing up, and I've bought them as gifts for my nephew before.

@winniebee: also, which leap pad? Been thinking about those instead of the iPad.

@Mrs Green Grass: That sounds so cool. LO *loves* taking pictures with my phone so I was thinking about getting her her own camera or something like that, but a watch with a camera might be even better....

@looch: YouTube has some videos of them.

Last year (5), we gave him Legos and the illustrated Harry Potter. This year the Lego catalog arrived and my husband handed it to him pretty much straight out of the mailbox (!), and he promptly decided that his life will be incomplete without one particular plane set, so I found it on sale and that's what he'll get. We already added the new HP to our bookshelves, but I'll probably buy a few other books I want to get and that will be it.

@looch: OK, so after some more research and speaking to some co-workers who were more familiar - it sounds like the pieces & parts on this are very delicate. there is a metal rod on the cars that powers it around the track, so they cannot be played with... also the tracks are more delicately put together.... SO, since we have a 13 month old, who will definitely want to crash into this and play with the cars, i'm now leaning towards a hot wheels style set up that is more sturdy and the cars are easier to replace, and can be played with.

DS really wants a certain lego so he's getting that and not sure what else. An iPad would be so nice, especially since his school is asking for kids to work on certain educational apps at home. But, they are so expensive and it feels like they don't last as long as they should for the price (like you can't update the software anymore after a couple of years )