But look how big the box is!

June 20, 2009 4:18 PM

Giftfilter: What is the boy equivalent to a girls' play vanity?

Doing Christmas-in-July with the stepkiddos. We found this toy vanity for our 5-year-old daughter in the after-Christmas clearance (for only $14!). We can't just give her this giant gift without some equivalent for our 7-year-old (8 in Sept) son to open as well. We figured we'd come across SOMETHING by now, but nothing has really clicked.

I think the most important thing to his 7-year-old eyes is the size of the box. It's hard to explain "We spent the same amount, but her stuff is bigger" at this age. It would be great if the toy is along the same lines, but definitely not a requirement. The box is approximately 9"x20"x25". We entertained the idea of a telescope, but anything the right size is expensive and a little too advanced for his age. We realize we're not going to find an amazing deal like we did on the vanity, but we're hoping to keep it under $50.

So, Mefites with kids (or maybe just those of you who like kids and toys), suggestions?

posted by moojoose to shopping (24 comments total)

Maybe would have been important to include, the 7-year-old likes science, superheros (especially Transformers and Iron Man), games, and Disney Cars. He also likes anything that makes him feel particularly special and/or smart.
posted by moojoose at 4:20 PM on June 20

Tool bench.
posted by B-squared at 4:20 PM on June 20 [7 favorites has favorites]

How about a terrarium and some firebellied toads?

Around here the toads are like $5 each and a terrarium setup might set you back 40 bucks or so.
posted by ian1977 at 4:24 PM on June 20

Slip-n-slide (inflated to fill the box)?
posted by selfmedicating at 4:25 PM on June 20

ian1977 & selfmedicating: We're apartment dwellers for the time being, so pets and yard items are out (Sadly).
posted by moojoose at 4:27 PM on June 20

I'd say either some kind of tool bench

If he likes science and transformers, he's probably like me, which means he probably likes building toys. Some of the big K'Nex kits come in a big box and they are under fifty bucks. And they assemble to be big when you build the thing you're supposed to build with them. When my brother got the K'Nex roller coaster I was very jealous.

On the cars thing, those toy car racetracks come in a really big box, the slot car ones do. I find that these are less fun than they seem like they will be, but they are fun to put together. The notable exception is Darda cars, but they are way more expensive than the other kits. They are awesome though, cause you can really make all sorts of different kinds of tracks and the cars can race on any surface and they are super cool and go super fast and there's tons of different types. It looks like there's actually some pretty cool looking sets for under 50 bucks, and the box is 16 by 24 by 3, smaller but comparable and still big. Plus, CARS!
posted by jeb at 4:35 PM on June 20 [1 favorite has favorites]

Digital Blue QX5 USB microscope. Loads of fun, and there are some fairly sophisticated hacks out there for it if the microscopy bug takes hold (more here).

I've been really pleased at its ease of use and image quality for the price - we've even done some darkfield microscopy with ours.
posted by jquinby at 4:38 PM on June 20 [1 favorite has favorites]

Rats, I just saw your price point. You can get the QX5 for around $80 online. I think we bought ours at one of the big-box toy retailers.
posted by jquinby at 4:39 PM on June 20

A tool bench or something similar would fit thematically. This is a bit out of your price range, but our 500-piece set of Zoobs has been a big hit with our boys and has had a lot of longevity.

The Mindware catalog has building toys, some science-related toys, creative strategy games, and so on. You might very well find something there that fits your box size/price/coolness criteria, at least roughly. I love that catalog for my kids.

What about a big Lego building set? My kids love the Star Wars sets.
posted by not that girl at 4:42 PM on June 20

Oh, wait, I thought of another one: Air Hogs Laser Battle! The box for these is...not that big, but it looks really cool. I have it. it's awesome. It's real helicopters that can really flight and fight each other. This link is pricey but I know you can find these or similar for under fifty bucks. The advantage of this for the parents over my other ideas is that the box is big, but the toys are small and easy to put away. Not like setting up a racetrack in the living room.
posted by jeb at 4:43 PM on June 20

2nding K'Nex. Also have a look at electricity kits like this, or this one for younger kids.
posted by angiep at 4:44 PM on June 20

Toobeez! Totally awesome and I remember playing with similar toys when I was younger (they were called tinker toys, however) and man, those toys were the greatest. Seriously, the greatest. My imagination (and my siblings') just really worked over time having some great play with these type of toys.
posted by Sassyfras at 4:54 PM on June 20

This bug finder/microscope kit is cheaper and has dimensions of 4.1 x 11.7 x 33.6 inches, so might be comparable size. (I originally came here to recommend some kind of microscope or kit--there are lots to be had in your price range, but the box won't be quite as large as the vanity--but then I saw that kit and thought it looked kind of fun).

If you got these two items and wrapped them together, it should be about the same size, though, and they look pretty cool, but cost a little more than the above option.

If he likes music at all, then kids' drum sets/guitars/keyboards could be found in your price range and the box for that stuff will be of ample size.
posted by Polychrome at 5:07 PM on June 20

tool/work bench
posted by patnok at 6:13 PM on June 20

How about a small tent he (or you) can set up in the back yard? I think they're kind of big even before set up, but after setting up it would be huge. And awesome.

You can't usually go camping during Christmas in December...
posted by amtho at 6:20 PM on June 20

A train set?
posted by Danila at 6:38 PM on June 20

Even without a back yard, you could still get a small tent -- just don't use the stakes.

If a two person tent is still too big, a beach tent might work (and now's a good time to be on the lookout for them).
posted by gnomeloaf at 6:43 PM on June 20

Cookin' mama playset.
posted by rokusan at 6:51 PM on June 20

How about the beginnings of an artist's kit -- an easel, an oversized pad of paper (for the pleasure of dimension), a collection of paints allowing for different techniques (watercolor, acrylic), some pencils (charcoals especially), allowing for varied colors and textures? It isn't restricted to a specific age bracket (unlike the toy vanity, which she'll soon move past) or gender.
posted by Aleatoire at 6:52 PM on June 20 [1 favorite has favorites]

If he likes science, he should receive a big Chemistry Set (but do they let kids play with those anymore?)
posted by Rash at 7:05 PM on June 20

Wow...thanks for all the great suggestions! We had thought of a toolbench too, but those are mainly for preschoolers and wouldn't last into middle childhood like other things would. We had thought about k'nex or something similar but were worried about the box size...I do like that those can be put into a container much smaller when opened though.

The tent thing is sounding really fun the more I think about it. We have a porch/balcony where we could have startgazing campouts.

Oh, and jquinby - I want that microscope for myself! If we don't go that route now, I'm thinking it will be a good birthday present or maybe for real Christmas in December.
posted by moojoose at 8:04 PM on June 20

Not sure how your son would like it, but our play kitchen is still a huge hit with our son. Play foodstuffs, dishes. both our kids and even the "macho" neighbor kids really dig it. Our son is turning 10 in July and our daughter is 3. Naturally, YMMV
posted by Redhush at 8:05 PM on June 20

Seconding Darda Cars.... I had a set as a kid, and they were awesome. Or possibly a toy racetrack, slot-car style?

Lego kits can come in some pretty big boxes.

Anything with magnets. Boys who like science at that age like magnets.
posted by Wild_Eep at 8:53 PM on June 20

You think he's too young for a telescope, but you may be wrong. I got a telescope when I was about that age. I don't remember actually getting it, but I used it like crazy and my astronomy interest turned into a career in physics. It was a life-changing gift.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 2:45 AM on June 21