just thoiught i would ask if anyone had any good 10yo boy gift ideas.
its a bit of a difficult age as he has lots of stuff (first world prob/ bit spoilt) and I was trying to not just let him buy some consumeristic crxp that he uses for two days and discards. He wants to blow his cash on pokemon cards and the latest nerf gun ($99 FFS!) but he has lkots of nerf guns and pokemon. he will have a half decent amount of cash saved. would be good to spend it on something that will last. (he has a good bike)

electric scooter? minibike would be good but too hard to ride near us. too noisy. not safe.

Probably a bit young for a kite board. I intend to get back into it in a couple of years when hes older with him

any ideas?

Some good (higher end) snorkeling gear?
I bought a really good set for my daughter for her 9th birthday and a year later and that kid loves snorkeling! Great fun to have together, in the outdoors, keeps em fit, off the screen and teaches them about the ocean! Wins all round.

Also a good age to start learning the guitar.....

If he really does love his Nerf guns send him into the world of modifications

orangemodworks.com

At 10... I would ask (if you can) this best friend or siblings....
as his birthday is coming up...he would surely
have told someone what he really really really wants
and get him that.....
At this age he just wants what he wants and giving him that
you would be the best dad ever....
He like all kids are not thinking of something for now and into the future

2cents

Sporting equipment or tools. At 10 we loved making cubbyhuts, billy carts, camping and any sport.

If he's a bit nerdy get him something like this or similar: www.sparkfun.com/products/15267

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Mackerel said...
Some good (higher end) snorkeling gear?
I bought a really good set for my daughter for her 9th birthday and a year later and that kid loves snorkeling! Great fun to have together, in the outdoors, keeps em fit, off the screen and teaches them about the ocean! Wins all round.

^^^ this, plus a good wetty. After junior footy on Sunday I asked my 11yo what he wanted to do for the arvo "lets go snorkelling!"

After a 30 min snorkel in cold Vic water we had 3 huge greenlip abalone (190mm) and a stoked father and son. He's snorkeled at the beach over the past couple years without getting very excited about it but starting around last Christmas we've been visiting more interesting locations chasing crays and abs around ledges and having to be more cautious. I gave him a sling-spear a few months ago and he wants a weight belt for his birthday (so he can get to the bottom easier!)...this whilst his mum freaks about him not wearing a life jacket!

He's now counting down the years until he hits 14 and can get his open-water dive ticket and already working on his fitness and lung capacity.

The amazing innovation is a water propelled, personal water craft accessory that allows
the operator to safely experience flight. No matter the weight, height or age;
the rider is flying comfortably after only 10 minutes. It's basically a flying Jet Ski
with a ride that can be mild or a little more exciting.
Cost Dh25,620

Bit expensive....but I want one

what about skateboard ? not the one for the skate-park, because they are full of kids riding scooters these days.
just a good cruiser I think, after that he will be quicker to learn how to ride a surfboard or kiteboard or whateverboard...

At the age of ten my biggest brother bought me my first two string kite (very expensive for its time) and because we lived in a windy town i flew that kite until it was no longer usable.
Best present ever!

Try these guys for some great discounts on what apparently are the "coolest' skateboards ever. Well that's what my twin eleven y.o.'s and 8y.o. tell me (now my 4y.o. girl is wanting one!) Have bought 3 boards from them over a couple years and all very good quality with extremely quick delivery (actually I lie. Santa bought two and my younger boy saved and saved for about 8months until he could be as cool as his older brothers)
http://www.kickpush.com.au/z-flex-penny-clearance/

EDIT - apologies dmitri just saw your post.

A good parent buys their kid something they won't enjoy. Like a guitar or ice skates. And then uses that to guilt them into lessons.

A decent shanghai

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Xanthian said..
A good parent buys their kid something they won't enjoy. Like a guitar or ice skates. And then uses that to guilt them into lessons.

Damn, I must be a sh1t parent then

I brought my nephew a go pro and some editing software. He has never looked back - fun for all his brothers as well

water pistol .

Radio station. Well that's what this 10 year old boy wants.

www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/young-dj-josh-agnew-fights-to-stay-on-air/news-story/8564a1cfb00c91e4b8caaf46cecdfc34

Compound bow couple of hunfred should get a good bow that can be adjusted down to suit last him ten years
. Can dail up the pound ages as older arrows are reusable so its cheap to run my 4 kids love theres .. dont get talked into a chikds toy bow if he cant pull it back to start just help him in a couple of days they will do it by themselves if they cant staight off

Sausage right on about skateboards - 13yo in the street had a skateboard party recently (popular round here) and probably 10 out of 20 were z flex.

His little sister is 4 and this is her favourite of the family collection, she can skate and hula hoop on it at the same time, plus lie down then stand then jump up & down while rolling. These are also popular round here if you wanna spend a bit more:
http://www.scooterandskate.com.au/brands/skateboard/streetboardz/streetboardz-dragon-skateboard-7-ply-complete

Something he has to build, and figure out the physics of?
www.stirlingengine.co.uk/d.asp?product=KS90_BLA_KIT

Maybe one of these if he likes models:

simple:
www.amazon.com/Haynes-Build-Internal-Combustion-Engine/dp/B006H4JEQO

more complex:
www.fishpond.com.au/Toys/Haynes-V8-Model-Combustion-Engine-Haynes/5060062142594?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=ps&utm_campaign=AU&gclid=COHd_eLNzcUCFUMJvAodXYEAZA

Or a trainer kite, a 2.5m Imp / Ignition would be perfect..

Compound bow???????

Why don't u just get him the Nerf gun and pokemon crap he enjoys,
its his little moment of happiness,

Get some of his friends around, have a great little party, lollies and games,
They can all play there version of armies with Nerf guns......or compound bows,

Nobody remembers the crap they got as the yrs roll on, they remember the day, the way mummy and daddy fussed over them, spoilt them a bit,

Seriously, are you excepting your ten yr old to make a life long financial investment, even though you've raised him to enjoy pokemon, Nerf guns and toys......

thanks everyone for the great ideas.

Showed him the nerf mods and he's keen. He even has two of one nerf model so we might order a mod kit for that.
The longboard is a good idea / fit for him as well, as is the electronics kit. am researching.
Snorkelling gear excellent suggestion but he has the best of everything and does it heaps already.
Dangerous book for boys ordered!

shanghi and bow (and nearly nerf mod) ideas on hold for sisters sake.

gopro and kitesurfing on the cards in the next few years.

I was under the pump today and it was great to see all the great suggestions. Thanks again

Why not the bow?
Teaches holdover which is predicting a parabolic trajectory, and estimating wind deflection. Requires a bit of fitness, mental acuity and hand to eye co-ordination.
Craps all over yet another computer game, or a footy that he gets to do at school anyway/

20 suggestions in half a day. Bloody amazing.

I'll know where to get advice next time.

My 7 year old son got this book (Paper aeroplane making book), and the hours of entertainment it provided is staggering. Paper aeroplanes around every room of the house now. Keeps him as amused as his nerf guns.

www.booktopia.com.au/zap-superflyer-paper-planes/book/9781743634561.html?source=pla&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvuuqBRDG95yR6tmfg9oBEiQAjE3RQISwiAS1TdJH_eoHJ4qERGBMH318VRvmSciRFZBHdOYaAtEH8P8HAQ

Maybe a few hundred nerf bullets. Never can have en-nerf of them you know.

Clarence

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Mark _australia said..
Why not the bow?
Teaches holdover which is predicting a parabolic trajectory, and estimating wind deflection. Requires a bit of fitness, mental acuity and hand to eye co-ordination.
Craps all over yet another computer game, or a footy that he gets to do at school anyway/

bit dangerous. We're urban. he's got a bow and arrow with a suction cup on the end. Just another job for me if i get something dangerous. cant use it unless supervised.

Myusername,

I bought one of these all wheel drive RC drift cars for my son, (and of course I had to get one for myself too ), a bit older than 10, but I should have earlier.

The fun, understanding of driving techniques, appreciation of what realistic wear and tear is, responsibility with turning off battery powered items, and the creativity of mind to see an area suitable for a track setup, have been a delight for my son and I.

As a Father and Son exercise, I struggle to find a more enjoyable experience than synchronised drifting around a circuit you have both recognised as worthy, let alone creating your own, if you have the means.

Having a now adult son that still uses the car pictured as a feature on his bedroom table, is testament ot the longevity of this enjoyment.

If he learns it young, you might produce a champion in the industry in times to come.

Regards,

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Mark _australia said..
Why not the bow?
Teaches holdover which is predicting a parabolic trajectory, and estimating wind deflection. Requires a bit of fitness, mental acuity and hand to eye co-ordination.
Craps all over yet another computer game, or a footy that he gets to do at school anyway/

Mark,

My compound bow has been mothballed since the laws were introduced outlawing them.

I actually called the local Police Station quite a few years ago now, and, ironically, spoke to an asian woman, that refused to pass my call on to a superior officer.

My question was, if you own one of these items, whilst legal at an archery club, how do you get it there, if it becomes illegal once you exit your front door.

No answer to this day, and although my son was supremely interested in the sport, it was only ever an option on private property, potentially dodging the law.

Sad indeed, as I believe that if it were permitted without "jumping through almost impossible hoops", the feral animal problem Australiawide would have some response at least.

Regards,

Annual subscription to 9/11 Truth.com

And sign him up for a Young Liberals membership pack

Well my young boys who just turned 12 & 11 had heaps of nerd guns they modify them they had toy bow & arrows suction cups & started making there own bows which i could see breaking & causing an injury so i got them the real thing .
Then there not just running around with something thats a danger to others & themselves just playing in the yard .
They have to be supervised & do it with responsibility .
WE have heaps of fun Im lucky in that Ive got such a big shed we set up archery range in that .
WE got a score board like darts .
I really don't see what the problem is .
And as for buying things that last well my kids got over wasting money on junk a few years ago everything they spend there money on now is useful or something to last.
Like when one boy spent his money on a antique microscope we were in antique store for mothers day so he spent $25 of his birthday money ,hey it needed a bit of work to restore but we had fun doing that he loves that sort of stuff & just the other day he came & told me he saw one for sale for $250 on eBay so he was stoked .
So i thought that was a great lesson in not to buy landfill .
He did make me proud by offering to give it to his eldest brother who is studying to be a doctor.
The other thing is I've been through all the trading cards they still get yugio & go to tournaments . THey know the price of the cards & who will buy what so they trade them they actually make money doing that now for e.g. buy a card for $5 off ebay because they know store sells for $30 then go to tournament & sell for $ 20 they did that with about 5 cards last time traded a few they had came home with some money .
They were very proud .
I didn't mind taking them as massage place is opposite i when had a hot stone massage while waiting .
My wife gets pedicure if she takes them .
Ive got twins boy & girl & I'm trying to think of what to get them for there 16 th .
When my wife asked do i have any ideas & i said the pill for the girl she didn't think my joke was very funny .

Newscientist 1 Year subscription

or similar

www.newscientist.com/

subscribe.newscientist.com/default.aspx?prom=8017&pkgcode=P&cmpid=&utm_medium=&utm_source=.&utm_campaign=&utm_content=


$250 seems steep but may appear good return on investment in future .

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RockyDude said..

Mark _australia said..
Why not the bow?
Teaches holdover which is predicting a parabolic trajectory, and estimating wind deflection. Requires a bit of fitness, mental acuity and hand to eye co-ordination.
Craps all over yet another computer game, or a footy that he gets to do at school anyway/

Mark,

My compound bow has been mothballed since the laws were introduced outlawing them.

I actually called the local Police Station quite a few years ago now, and, ironically, spoke to an asian woman, that refused to pass my call on to a superior officer.

My question was, if you own one of these items, whilst legal at an archery club, how do you get it there, if it becomes illegal once you exit your front door.

No answer to this day, and although my son was supremely interested in the sport, it was only ever an option on private property, potentially dodging the law.

Sad indeed, as I believe that if it were permitted without "jumping through almost impossible hoops", the feral animal problem Australiawide would have some response at least.

Regards,

You must be thinking of crossbows that are now illegal. Compound bows are perfectly legal.

My response was not to suggest it was the right thing for the O.P's kid - it was directed at the automatic redthumbs the Actiomax got when he suggested it. Typical

Instead of buying our kids presents we sponsored a kid from the money(world vision), we got a strange look when they opened the card from the little bloke, but makes your kids appreciate things more , especially when they were sent a picture and a heartfelt letter from him thanking them,