Help - gift ideas for a 4-year-old boy

[Chimichanga]

I know there are always threads about this, but I have NO idea what to get my cousin's son for his fourth birthday.

What are the "cool" toys now? I will more than likely get him a book (I'm all for reading to kids) and I'd like to get him something fun. I got him several savings bonds when he was born but now that he's older I want to get him something he can use.

Keepsakes are out - the family isn't really into them and believe me when I say they will be packed away and not taken out.

TIA! :D

[bookworm]

My cousin is all about "guys"--little action figures. His love of the moment seems to be the Fantastic Four, and I have therefore read the book (that came with said action figures) many times now (he's actually almost 5).

Dinosaurs have been popular for awhile. And knights. Anything in that "good v. evil" vein...

I, too, insist on giving him books (I am so mean)...but it's usually a story about whatever else I gave him (dinosaurs, Thomas the train, Incredibles, etc.)

[KristyK]

Depending on how "mature" he is, I'd say "guys". Boys like "guys", not sure whats out, but maybe Star Wars, Batman, Power Rangers, those kind of "guys". My son still has his whole collection of Star Wars guys and loves them. Or Lego's. They are always a hit too, but you have to watch for age on those, some of the sets are more advanced than others.

I love shopping for kids, have fun!

[KristyK]

OMG bookworm, isn't it funny we both said "guys"! LOL

[bookworm]

OMG bookworm, isn't it funny we both said "guys"! LOL

It is! We must be right ;).

I learned the term from an actual 4-year-old (you should have seen it...we were off to the beach and he insisted on bringing his "guys" :p )...

[Chimichanga]

Thanks for the suggestions. How could I forget Star Wars?!?! DH is still into his "guys" :D

[Reenie]

I just sent my nephew (third b-day) play-doh and candyland, which were a hit!

[laura]

You might want to ask if there is anything he is "into". My nephew just turned 6, but he has been into sharks for a couple of years now. Anything that is related to sharks is a hit, for any occasion. He also like Halloween stuff for almost any occasion, but that is an entirely separate issue!

My older nephew is more of the action figure, trendy toy, fickle "whatever" type, but my younger nephew really gets fixated on something and then that's ALL he wants. My brother got him a bike for this birthday, but he was more enamored with the little package of shark teeth I picked up for him for $3 in some tourist shop - hee.

FWIW, my older nephew (he's turning 9) is asking for all Star Wars stuff for his bday, so I would say you are correct that that's what's "in" now.

Good luck! :)

[Katy]

I'm moving this thread over to the new Gift Area...

[maggieb]

DH's godson just turned 4 on July 16 and he is really into Hummers. DH ended up getting him a remote control Hummer and he LOVED it!