I'm in a right pickle. I almost forgot my nephew's fourth birthday (almost, it's tomorrow and a card's in the post, so I've avoided a black mark for that.)

BUT

I have absolutely no idea what to give him for a present. He's fascinated by rockets at the moment, but as he's the only grandson on both sides of the family (and one of only two grandchildren on both sides) every grown-up has bought him a spaceman action-man or a model space shuttle or a going-to-the-moon game of some sort - so I've run out of ideas for something to give him.


Could anyone with experience of four-year-old boys give me some advice?


A confusticated and bebothered auntie Katyjay

My five year old son is really into Power Rangers and Buzz Lightyear. That could fit the bill.

I was into Cindy at that age, but I guess most boys probably aren't...

How about something completely different, like a book about wildlife? My nephew (5) is really into anything related to horticulture/insects/gardens at present, which is fantastic. Perhaps your present could trigger a new interest? There are loads of books for children on a whole range of subjects.

Actually, it doesn't even have to be non-fiction - but I'd say get some kind of book, definitely.

That probably hasn't helped much...!

How about something vaguely scientific like magnets, or a magnifying glass, or a grow your own crystal set? I have a four year old nephew who's also into rockets, and the above also go down very well with him...

My brother who is six was really into cars at that age - maybe a small model car. What about sport, he might like a beach ball or something. What about some pyjamas with a rocket on them?

My youngest is 4 and a boy - still in the middle of Thomas the Tank engine fixation.

What about clothes with a space theme? Just thinking of my one's favourite pyjamas, which have rockets and planets all over them.

Does your nephew have a garden at home? Woolworths/Asda etc usually have lots of cheap play camping/ sports/ paddling things, which is what I usually go for when the party invitations turn up from nursery school and I have no idea what the child is interested in.

What about taking him out for the day. My two love the treat of being on their own with an aunt or uncle. You don't have to go anywhere expensive either, the beach, the park or a museum work for mine. The two of you could have great fun planning how to get there and what to take in your picnic. Take some photos, save any travel tickets and pick up any leaflets and then put them in a scrapbook to record the day you have together. It would give him a very special reminder of a special day with you.

I took my grandson to Hamleys for his birthday. He'd never been there before, and had a wide-eyed, wonderful time, and I let him choose a small present from the shop. He absolutely loved it. He was 6, but I would certainly do a similar thing with a four year old.

Lego or Playmobil sets go down very well with boys - and you get age ranges to help you choose a suitable set.

Does he live near any open space or a park where he could fly a kite? At that age he would need someone to accompany him so this is only an idea is there is someone to do this. Kites come in all sorts of sizes and designs - perhaps there are ones with a rocket theme.

Otherwise it might be possible to buy a model rocket that could be suspended from his bedroom ceiling.

Good Luck!

Having a boy coming up to being four in a couple of months I know how you feel. it does depend on how much you want to spend of course. There are some really lovely building kits made from wood to put together - i even think that there is a rocket in the series. My son is just getting into LEGO - that list then becomes endless! Playmobil is a similar sort of toy. Top trump cards are another good one - my sone can't read but he can read numbers - a good way of learning what is bigger or smaller. I could go on with loads of stuff but hopefully this gives you a few more ideas!!

Hope you find something Katyjay

Dorling Kindersley do some lovely books for pre-school children. Also Lego is stll popular, or a mini cricket set.