We’re continuting the Top 10 Holiday Trends, today focusing on the boys hot toys 2010! As a mom of three boys, tackling a Top Gifts for Boys List is something I do naturally for Christmas and birthdays, but I wanted to be thorough.
I mean, I am writing this list for Tip Junkie!
I didn’t just want to highlight what was on MY boys’ Christmas lists, but find out what are the hot toys for boys this season. I had grade school boys in mind ages 6 – 11, but several of these things are on my husband’s list as well.
Hot Toys
1. Legos, Legos & More Legos – This is number one for a reason. Every penny that my kids’ earn goes toward their ever-expanding Lego pile. I love that it keeps them creative and busy for hours at a time. They love everything about them except the clean up. Lego is also into board games, books, video games and even a movie. My boys love it all. Price: $5 – $150+
Holly’s gift advice: If you are looking for something a little unique that a Lego-loving boy may not already own, check out the Lego Brickmaster books. They are available at both toy stores and book stores and contain a Lego book and small building set. They retail for $29.99.
Toys 2010
2. Nerf Swords – Boys love Nerf guns, but what has been even more popular at my house are the Nerf swords. I think it is because they don’t require chasing after stray Nerf bullets. It is much easier to clobber a brother! Price: $12 – $40
Holly’s gift advice: Buy them in pairs and let the kids battle it out.
3. Hex Bugs – These are absolutely the cutest things and I want one. Hex bugs are little robotic creatures that react to touch, sound, or a tiny remote control. There are lots of different bugs that boys can collect, habitats where they can “live”, race tracks, and even a battle arena. Boy heaven. Price: $8 – $100
Holly’s gift advice: The Hexbug Nano Newton sets can be purchased in sets of 5 for $39.99 online and could add to a collection or start a new one.
4. Snap Circuits – Shhhh…don’t tell the boys, but these are actually considered educational toys. With Snap Circuits, boys get to play safely with electricity. They are kits that result in different machines built by snapping parts together onto a plastic base. Price: $17 – $90
Holly’s gift advice: We have a basic set that retails in the $30 range and has kept the boys busy for hours.
5. Nintendo DS & Games – Each of my boys has a Nintendo DS. Many of the games are multi-player which means all three of them can play against each other. If allowed, the boys would play their DS’s into eternity. They are THAT fun. The DS games that topped my boys’ Christmas list are: Sonic Colors, extra copies of Mario Kart (so they can play multi-player with advanced options) and Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Price: $20 – $40 for games and systems start at $130.
Holly’s gift advice: My boys’ favorite games are Mario Kart and Lego Battles.
6. Wii – One of the things I appreciate about the Wii is due to its simplicity, even my youngest can join in on most games and be relatively competitive. Adding accessories like the balance board can make most games even more interactive. Often, sitting on the couch and playing is NOT an option. Price: $15 – $45 for games and systems start at $199 for a bundled package.
Holly’s gift advice: My boys love ANY Mario game. I have heard from other moms that any boy that is a football fan has NFL Training Camp on his Christmas’ List.
7. Razors – I am suspicious that this company may be run by a 9 year old boy because everything they make is a hit at our house. Each of the boys has a Razor Scooter which they race on a regular basis around our circle driveway. Razor also makes riding toys for boys that average go 9-12 mph depending on the model. We have the Quad 4 and the Dune Buggy and both of them have been surprisingly tough. Price: foot-powered start at $40 and battery powered start at $150.
Holly’s gift advice: Get whatever Razor is in your budget and I am confident it will be well used.
8. Board Games – One of the reasons that board games will NEVER be out of style with kids is because it is time they can spend with their family. Our favorite games are: Connect 4, Sequence, Settlers of Catan, and a new game, Dominion. Settlers of Catan and Dominion require good reading skills and some strategy so depending on the boy, might be more appropriate for over 8. Price: $10 – $40
Holly’s gift advice: I love playing Sequence, Dominion and Settlers of Catan. If you have games at home you LIKE to play, you are much more likely to play!
9. Trendy Toys for 2010 – Most of these we have not got involved with…to date, but in my research these were top gifts for boys this Christmas. As a mom with boy toy experience, I can vouch that even though we might not have these now, they have serious potential for obsession in my house:
- Tech Deck
- Beyblades
- Bakugan
- Kung Zhu
- Mighty Beanz
Holly’s gift advice: Most these toys are priced to grab allowances. If you are buying a gift for a boy who has already started a collection, check into some of the sets available in each of these series that was probably out of allowance reach.
10. Pillow Pets – I think these are adorable and were really glad to hear that my boys thought so too. I think it is a semi-”cool” way that they can get a snuggly soft stuffed animal in the manly name of a pillow. The pillow folds into an animal through the magic of velcro. Price: $20
Holly’s gift advice: Pick out a favorite animal or one that might resemble the boy’s pet.
BONUS: It is a little late for this year, but my boys have OBSESSED over the Lego Advent Calendar. Check into it for next Christmas and don’t be surprised if your boy is sad when the calendar ends and Christmas is here.
Happy gift for boy shopping!
When Holly isn’t assisting Santa, she is a stay-at-home mom of 3 boys who partially home-schools and avoids cooking at all costs Dallas blogger. She writes June Cleaver Nirvana about her life…yep, it is a mom blog.
*cringe*
In her spare time Holly traps beavers and chronicles the building of an extreme tree house.
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Comments
great ideas! my eldest is just now entering the wonderful world of lego!!
I’ve never heard of Snap Circuits! My son would flip if she had some of those. Thanks for a great list.
Love your list Holly. You just cannot go wrong with LEGOS! I can’t wait until the new LEGOland Discovery Center opens at Grapevine Mills next April – WooT!
Excellent list for boys! Thank you!
great List… I think most of those are under our tree minus the dune buggy ..not for a lack of asking on my kids part but a lack of funding on our part.:)
What a fantastic list Holly! My boys love Sequence and I just played Settlers over the Thanksgiving break and I loved it. The boys are getting that for Christmas. {{Squeal}} Another game we play as a family is Mastermind and Ticket to Ride. Both excellent games for the family.
Thanks for guest posting, you rocked it!
Bueno list Holly! Being a mama to a girl & a boy I feel ya on the legos. The Boy is 11 and he still LOVES Legos.
As he gets older the more techno his gift requests are. Bummer for us, because that means more expensive too.
Board games are a big hit!
You hit it right on. My boys love most the things you mentioned, legos, electric circuits (this was a big hit and still is even a year after it was purchased!) , wii, Razor scooter, all good ideas.
I really appreciate your list. I’m a grandma to several boys but the oldest boy is 10 and this was helpful.
Another good board game is Mastermind. It’s a fun way to teach problem solving and logical thinking.
An excellent introduction to Electronics.
The best point in favour of this product is that it is lego style toy that does not intimidate a child with intricate electronic components. My 6-1/2 year old daughter started playing with it and was very excited to have completed her first project to light a bulb with a switch. Theories of electricity followed naturally when initially the bulb did not lightup.
You can’t go wrong with legos unless the kid is oo small! Even I am playing with them!
I believe the foot powered razor scooter is the best toy.Apart from fun its also a way of exercise for kids.I’d rather buy the scooter than the play station or Wii.Thanks for the list.