This boy likes to bounce! Help me find him a birthday gift.
May 30, 2012 12:47 PM Subscribe
Help me find a cool birthday gift for a boy who likes to bounce.
My boyfriend's son will be 12 in a couple of weeks. He's generally a glued-to-Minecraft type of kid, but I recently gave him a hand me down pogo stick and, lo and behold, he loves it! He's outside practicing on the thing almost daily and keeps trying to beat his last record of continuous jumps. This is great - he's happy, and boyfriend's happy that he's getting off the computer and getting air and exercise. I'd like to get him something for his birthday that will encourage more outside play that involves balance, jumping, or coordination, since he appears to be good at that. He has a skateboard and skooter (both are dusty). Under $50 would be great.
He also has a 9 year old sister who he plays well with, so it could be something designed for more than 1 player. Any ideas?
My boyfriend's son will be 12 in a couple of weeks. He's generally a glued-to-Minecraft type of kid, but I recently gave him a hand me down pogo stick and, lo and behold, he loves it! He's outside practicing on the thing almost daily and keeps trying to beat his last record of continuous jumps. This is great - he's happy, and boyfriend's happy that he's getting off the computer and getting air and exercise. I'd like to get him something for his birthday that will encourage more outside play that involves balance, jumping, or coordination, since he appears to be good at that. He has a skateboard and skooter (both are dusty). Under $50 would be great.
He also has a 9 year old sister who he plays well with, so it could be something designed for more than 1 player. Any ideas?
Best answer: You said he has a skateboard, but have you considered a Ripstick? They're really popular and a lot of fun and in some ways, a lot different/more easy to use for that age.
posted by R a c h e l at 12:55 PM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by R a c h e l at 12:55 PM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]
I also use to have one of these. (Mine was Mickey Mouse) We called it the bouncy ball, but it looks like amazon wants to call them hoppers.
posted by royalsong at 12:57 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by royalsong at 12:57 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
A balance board. E.g., but there are plenty of other kinds.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:11 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:11 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
How about trampoline lessons? He can graduate from bouncing to flipping. Is there a community center or gym nearby with a trampolining program?
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:22 PM on May 30, 2012
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:22 PM on May 30, 2012
gift card for skyzone in boston? (your profile said MA, not sure if you're close to there or not.) that way he can try trampolining before you shell out a bunch of money for one/for classes.
posted by koroshiya at 1:35 PM on May 30, 2012
posted by koroshiya at 1:35 PM on May 30, 2012
Perhaps the pogo ball (~$25), a relic of my 1980s childhood?
Aside: good gravy, these powerized jumping stilts look super fun -- but maaaaybe scary from a parental point of view (check out the videos), and quite a bit out of your preferred price range........ However: omg. OMG.
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 1:36 PM on May 30, 2012
Aside: good gravy, these powerized jumping stilts look super fun -- but maaaaybe scary from a parental point of view (check out the videos), and quite a bit out of your preferred price range........ However: omg. OMG.
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 1:36 PM on May 30, 2012
If you do decide on a trampoline -- and exercise rebounders are available at your price range -- make sure you check first. Trampolines are a nightmare on the insurance front and can result in homeowner's or renter's policies getting cancelled.
posted by pie ninja at 1:53 PM on May 30, 2012
posted by pie ninja at 1:53 PM on May 30, 2012
Best answer: jquinby: "(rats, under $50....nm. O_O)"
You can find used rollerblades at a second-hand stores, like Play It Again Sports. But I rarely see any kids rollerblading anymore. I wonder if it's not considered cool by the youngsters these days?
What about a unicycle? It looks like the ones on eBay are just about at or a teensy bit over your budget. (Obviously make sure he has a helmet, gloves and possibly elbow/knee pads.)
posted by SuperSquirrel at 2:48 PM on May 30, 2012
You can find used rollerblades at a second-hand stores, like Play It Again Sports. But I rarely see any kids rollerblading anymore. I wonder if it's not considered cool by the youngsters these days?
What about a unicycle? It looks like the ones on eBay are just about at or a teensy bit over your budget. (Obviously make sure he has a helmet, gloves and possibly elbow/knee pads.)
posted by SuperSquirrel at 2:48 PM on May 30, 2012
Is there a circus school nearby? I know that there's at least one in San Francisco that has both lessons and does birthday parties.
posted by bendy at 4:09 PM on May 30, 2012
posted by bendy at 4:09 PM on May 30, 2012
Maybe a unicycle?
posted by at the crossroads at 4:57 PM on May 30, 2012
posted by at the crossroads at 4:57 PM on May 30, 2012
If they live in a city that has a SkyZone trampoline gym, maybe you could get a gift card for there.
posted by lakeroon at 6:19 PM on May 30, 2012
posted by lakeroon at 6:19 PM on May 30, 2012
I would go for a unicycle, or maybe get stuff for slack lining, which is like tightrope walking but on a big long piece of webbing two feet off the ground. Low tech, low cost, easy to start but hard to master, all that good stuff.
posted by rockindata at 4:16 AM on May 31, 2012
posted by rockindata at 4:16 AM on May 31, 2012
Bongo board. You'll have to get used or a rip-off brand to stay under budget, but that seems possible.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:58 AM on May 31, 2012
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:58 AM on May 31, 2012
I was going to suggest a unicycle like others above, but now I will also suggest stilts.
posted by CathyG at 8:44 PM on June 4, 2012
posted by CathyG at 8:44 PM on June 4, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Moon Shoes
posted by royalsong at 12:52 PM on May 30, 2012