Every year, toy manufacturers come out with all kinds of new toys, gizmos and gadgets to delight, surprise and entertain children for a very short time period. It's rare to find a toy that kids won't easily get bored with. This year, make that the goal. Choose Christmas gifts for the kids that will keep their interest long after Christmas.
Think Imagination
If the gift requires that the child use his own imagination, it's probably a good gift. This usually means going for the more traditional, long lasting toys like Legos and Kinects. The newer toys, trends and fads usually are so narrowed on one character that the toy leaves very little room for the imagination to expand the play possibilities.
If a child has to build the toy on his own, he gets to be more creative and imaginative. Also sets like these can be added to and expanded as the child grows more and more into creating what he is imagining. Toy building sets and construction sets usually last for years and years and get passed down from child to child in the home. This is a gift that won't usually end up in the Spring cleaning garage sale.
Think Educational
Read this part of the article to a boy and he's bound to roll his eyes. Basically, though, there are many board games out there that are fun and educational at the same time. Boys and men like to be entertained with lights, sounds, actions and thought provoking games. Games like Mindflex, Risk, Lego Board games and player interaction games like Loopz, Battleship are games that challenge strategy, skill and speed. They are very popular among the boys.
Don't rule out those hand held games and gaming systems. Although many of these systems and game stations can be expensive to begin with, if the child already has a Nitendo DS, Xbox or other game player, inexpensive, fun and strategic and skill building educational games can be bought gently used off of Ebay for pennies on the dollar.
A Few More Thoughts
Basically, boys want to be entertained. That's it. The key to giving a great gift is finding a gift that the child will enjoy and that will still entertain and challenge the child after the new wears off. Traditionally, games, puzzles, Legos and things that light up, make noise or move are just what boys are looking for under the tree.
Amy Wingfield - Amy, a freelance writer since 1999, has combined her passion for writing and for Christian music.There's always a story behind the ...
