Need Gift Ideas for kids

[globalvillage]

I'm shopping online for gifts for my nieces and nephews, age 9-14. They have too much 'stuff', and if I give them money, they'll just buy more video games. I also don't want to be the aunt who gave them some goofy gift that they'll hate. In the past, I've bought movie theater gift certificates and event tickets, which seem to go over pretty well, but I was hoping to find something socially responsible this year.

So far, I've found

https://secure.defenders.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=wagc_polarbear

and

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer?pagename=NAT_DEV_SWP_SponsorWildPlacesHOME

Any other ideas?

[keroro gunsou]

1. subscription

to national geographic

i've gotten one from my grandmother every year since i was 6. still read it today... mostly cause the photos (and accompanying articles) are pretty kick ass.

ok, it's mostly for the photos... :spank:

[globalvillage]

2. excellent idea. thanks. n/t

[Fireweed247]

47. There are also more great kid friendly history and science magazines

Check out Owl, Odyssey, Calliope, Dig, Muse

[alfredo]

13. My first thought was a fifth of Gin and an Uzi, but then their relatives might

be different from mine.

Ask the parents for shopping hints. Whatever you give, be sure to hide the real gift under something Argyle. Do make the gift fun.

[globalvillage]

24. I'll check with my brothers

and see if they're planning the booze and gun thing. Don't want to give them something mom and dad already have planned.

[alfredo]

39. You're pretty clear headed this early on a Sunday. They may be happy with

some Gallo Jug wine and an AK 47.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. This may be "out there": starter cooking supplies.

Their own pots and pans and equipment. And cookbooks. And lessons on how to make their own meals. Even bake bread.

[globalvillage]

7. This looks like fun.

http://www.kidscook.com/ABOUT.ASP

[irish.lambchop]

4. My donation to Oxfam bought a goat and some chickens

in my nephews' names for families living in poverty. You can also buy school supplies, seeds, mosquito netting, etc. Here is the website - http://www.oxfam.org/en/getinvolved/unwrapped

[globalvillage]

15. That's the direction I'm headed

I might do that for the families, and buy something small for the kids.
Thanks.

[fishnfla]

5. I dont think kids would go for that stuff at christmas

your heart is in the right place, and I like the idea of getting them away from video games. I would rec. stuff that promotes physical activity

are they involved in any organized sports? clothing and equip for that. Under armour is all the rage with boys

rip stix, scooters, roller blades, bikes, etc

I mean being physically fit is a socially responsible thing, no?

[globalvillage]

12. Good ideas

These kids really do have everything, though. Not spoiled, but they don't want for a thing.
I could get them tickets to a ball game, there's a minor league team nearby.

[taterguy]

6. My idea is to find some nice local merchant to support

Instead of shopping online

[globalvillage]

31. Good idea, I'll check around.

Sadly, not an easy thing to do.

[MineralMan]

8. Books and

stuff that teaches about science. I don't have any kids of my own, but I have grand-nephews and nieces. I find out from their parents what they've read and get them something else. The science education stuff comes at about age 8 and continues.

Once they hit about 12, I'll get a little more intense with the science stuff. Decent microscopes are excellent, and used ones are readily available on ebay. I like stereo microscopes for kids. They're easy to use and can look at cool stuff like bugs and water droplets full of critters from the pond. Cheap crap microscopes aren't worth anything.

[globalvillage]

10. One of the nephews is big into science and nature

That's why I think he'd like saving a polar bear or a forest. He's going to be pretty easy to buy for, the rest are a little tougher.
I'll check with his dad and see if he has a microscope. Good idea, thanks.

[MineralMan]

20. Edmund Scientific

has a big range of microscopes, some very affordable. This 20 power stereo scope is basic, but works nicely for a decently low price:

http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3151627

You may find something similar in your local area if you have a large camera shop, but it'll probably be a lot more expensive.

PM me if you have other questions about scopes.

[globalvillage]

25. Cool stuff on that site.

I'll check it out, and thanks!

[Lars39]

43. They have free shipping right now, too.

Just ordered some Kinex for the small fry. :)

Free shipping code:
http://scientificsonline.com/info.asp?ii=573

[globalvillage]

45. Awesome.

Thanks.

[globalvillage]

37. This isn't quite what you recommended, but

I like that they can upload the pics and video to their computer. What do you think?

http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3053473

[MineralMan]

38. Hi,

I had a similar thing to that, made by Intel, but it wasn't at all satisfactory. The images were fuzzy, and it was difficult to use. Looking directly into the eyepieces is a much better way to explore the microscopic world.

I noticed that the stereo microscope I mentioned is no longer available there. There are some very good bargains on ebay from a microscope seller who has a store there. You'll find them if you search for stereo microscope. A google search should also turn up some retailers.

The reason that stereo microscopes are so good for kids is that they see a three-dimensional image of what they're looking at. In addition, they're very easy to focus, and the youngster doesn't have to prepare slides or any complicated tasks like that. You can also look at living things without killing them.

I used to sell mineral specimens, and had a stereo microscope set up in my showroom. The kids spent more time with that than with anything else in the shop. They looked at their fingers. They brought bugs in and looked at them. They looked at everything. The scope was just sitting on a table with a chair in front of it, and anyone who wanted to could fool with it. I had kids coming in all the time, just to use it.

If this youngster is interested in nature, I can absolutely guarantee that such a thing will get a lot of use, and for years.

You can get a perfectly adequate beginner's stereo microscope for $50 from that seller I mentioned, and a very nice one for about $70. They work well. Their optics are fine. They're not laboratory instruments, but are more than acceptable for youngsters to learn on. Similar deals are available from other online retailers, who you can find on Google.

Here's a good link, to the ebay seller's non-ebay commercial site. I've linked the page with the good bargains. On ebay, the seller has very good feedback.

http://www.amscope.com/Stereo-Binocular-3.html

[globalvillage]

40. There are a dozen on that page

And they all look pretty much the same to me. Which would you choose?
Thanks for your help. This is excellent advice.

[MineralMan]

41. I think the best deal there is the one

at the top left or any of the other $85 ones.

The angled eyepieces make for more comfortable viewing, and that's about the price of that one you showed me.

http://store.amscope.com/se204-a.html

That's the detail page. If you want to add to it, consider the 20X eyepieces you'll find on that detail page. That will give the user 40X magnification, along with the 20X that it starts with. Those two magnifications will pretty much do it all.

This is a bare-bones stereo microscope. But it's pretty rugged, and will serve very nicely right through the high school years.

These don't come with built-in illumination, but any desktop high-intensity lamp will work very nicely. It's not worth the extra bucks for built-in lighting, in my opinion.

If you can afford to give this, it will be one of the youngster's favorite things for years, and you'll be a star in his/her eyes, I guarantee.

[globalvillage]

42. Excellent!

That's the one I'll get. Thanks for your help!

[MineralMan]

44. My pleasure...

The recipient will be thrilled.

Note: There are lots of microscope snobs out there, who will tell you that only a fine (read expensive) professional instrument will do. I've used all levels of these microscopes, and these low cost ones are great for kids. They won't break under normal use, and are a reasonably-priced introduction to the microscopic world.

There's plenty of time later for a professional quality one. There's little difference between the one your buying and the others, until the prices gets around $750 or so, and none that will be apparent to a young or beginning user.

I used these scopes to study microscopic mineral crystals for years. The inexpensive one I had was the one I turned to the most often, for its ease of use and simplicity.

Best wishes!

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

34. Great idea!

My brother and I had a microscope when we were kids and we loved it. We looked at EVERYTHING under the microscope...and I mean EVERYTHING. Nasty pond water was a favorite.

[noamnety]

9. Do they have a place to garden?

rainbow chard, purple carrots, those sorts of things are fun.

you might also try things that improve their skills in one way or another - the minty boost kit and a soldering gun, or self-defense classes (especially for the girls). Learning to solder might not seem on the surface to be an especially socially responsible thing, but learning to be self-sufficient in general is a better way to live.

You could also look at things that are solar powered (battery chargers) or made out of recycled materials, to start getting them hooked on that sort of thing. There's some nice stuff being made from recycled tires (messenger bags, backpacks).

I think a gift in their name probably won't be so appreciated, but something that starts to change their habits could in the long run have a larger impact.

[globalvillage]

16. Interesting.

http://www.greatgreengoods.com/2006/02/17/stuff-made-from-old-recycled-tires/

Maybe not the 'BadAss paddles' but I'll check out some of the other stuff.

[datasuspect]

11. socks, craftsman tools, workbenches

[Liberal_in_LA]

22. underwear, sweaters, sticks

:eyes:

[globalvillage]

28. I see toy tools for little kids

but nothing for their age group. Good idea, though. I'll keep looking.

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Couple of cool sites--Scientific gift for kids

Two sites:

http://scientificsonline.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_424290

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/special-categories/cat_great-gift-ideas.html

Also, one year I bought a kids metal detector as a gift for a family kid friend, and at age 12, he still loves it!
It was from National Geographic toys.


The Nat'lGeo toy site:
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=131

The detector:
http://shopsearch.nationalgeographic.com/?sp_sr=rank&q=metal+detector&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

[globalvillage]

18. I want one of these!

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/131/4766/106.html

LOL. Too cool.

[Liberal_in_LA]

23. The dog or the cam?

[globalvillage]

27. I have a dog.

But that's a nice one, too. I think the kids might have a lot of fun with the camera. I've never seen that before, and I doubt they'll get one from anyone else.

[Whoa_Nelly]

32. Have dog Want cam

[Liberal_in_LA]

33. Pretty!

[Whoa_Nelly]

26. That is so cool!

I want one, too!

[livvy]

17. If you'd like to stick to toys/games, but would like something with a learning experience...

this site has some very neat things, and they are pretty good with shipping. This is where I usually buy for the kids on my list, and also for my classroom.

http://www.mindwareonline.com/MWESTORE/Home/HomePage.aspx?&SG=PMDG1

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

19. Heifer International

You can buy the kids a share in a cow, or a flock of chickens--the animals go to families in developing countries.

http://www.heifer.org/#

The Must-Have Gift this Year? Self-Reliance.
This holiday season, struggling families in the U.S. and around the world are counting on gifts of hope from generous people like you. Imagine no lines, no parking hassles and no meaningless gifts. Better yet, imagine giving those in need an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty with a gift that also honors your friends and family.
Give now

Gift catalog url:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/

Choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.

Click any of our gift animals and find out how your gift will provide families with resources they need.

(Animals include heifer, sheep, llama, water buffalo, goat, flock of chickens, flock of geese, and much more)

[globalvillage]

21. I did check there.

They're on my list. Thanks!

[Donnachaidh]

29. subscription to the Smithsonian magazine

I do both NatGeo and this for kids. Discovery magazine is another good one. Get them READING.

[goclark]

30. I'm AA and I'm giving my niece and nephew

a series of books about African American Heroes.

It's called "Golden Legacy" and they have a website.

I want them to know and understand how their ancestors had to fight to make us free.

I want them to value their education and make this world a better place.

I want them to be inspired by books and good deeds not video games.

[GentryDixon]

35. A subscription to Best Friends Animal Society.

My 8 year old grandson loves mine. The pictures are wonderful while the stories teach about responsible pet ownership. Proceeds from the magazine support the animals at the sanctuary and No More Homeless Pets.

This sanctuary is where Michael Vick's dogs are being cared for/rehabilitated.

http://www.bestfriends.org/

[gollygee]

36. I think those are good gifts for adults, but I don't know about for kids

Maybe something physical, or a gift certificate that allows them to go ice skating or doing some other physical activity.

[LWolf]

46. Some things we got for my grandson, almost 9:

(this is from the whole family, not just me!)

A skateboard
Two recorders and some fun beginning music (from me; his dad, who played clarinet and sax in high school, gets to teach him and play with him.)
A book (The Tales of Beedle the Bard.)

A couple of transformers
An Indiana Jones action figure
Some dragons; he has a large set of dinosaurs I got him 2 xmases ago, when dinosaurs were his passion.

Some board games for the family; he has a bunch already, but is tired of those we've played over and over. Scrabble and Quarto.

A hand-held tetris game.

Some other stuff he already has and really likes:

Juggling sticks or devil sticks

A set of blocks and marbles; the blocks have gutters and holes for the marbles, he designs all kinds of intricate paths for the marbles to travel.

A telescope.

His soccer ball, baseball, glove, and bat. ;)

His trampoline.

His bicycle and his scooter.

His boombox, and his collection of "hank the cowdog" cds. ;)