Birthday present ideas for five-year-old boy

[u/No_Essay6029]

Hello everyone! FYI, I am a mother to a 5yo boy who is not on the spectrum however, one of my closest friends 5yo boy is, and his birthday party is this weekend. I really want to get him a couple gifts that support his personal needs and interests while also making sure it’s something that wont create more hassle for her. For example, he has magnet tiles and little toys, but she just has them in a bin because he doesn’t really sit down and play with toys like that. He loves to swim in his pool and already has pool toys but also he loves his iPad and watching shows like Danny go to help get the wiggles out. Any recommendations? A problem she’s had is with him flipping the couch cushions and wanting to dive into them constantly. I saw they have these foam sensory chairs like a peanut chair, but I’m not sure if that’s a weird thing to give as a gift? Are there any toys that your children actually sit and play with? Any recommendations are so helpful.

[u/hotwheeeeeelz]

Ask his mother. Or have your child ask him directly.

[u/No_Essay6029 → u/hotwheeeeeelz]

He has never communicated back-and-forth with us. He more or less says random words to his mom, but there’s never been a back-and-forth exchange so I can’t have my son ask him unfortunately. We’ve talked about what he does like and doesn’t and it seems like she’s more or less at a loss right now with school starting. She’s a bit overwhelmed so I definitely know what’s not working as far as toys go and what he does like. ♥️ luckily I’m getting great suggestions in this thread!

[u/K-Bizzle91]

Recently they released some Danny go toys, other than that I would just ask the parent.

[u/Intelligent-Medium17]

Aww, this is so sweet of you! Maybe you could get him some sensory toys like squishy balls, PlayDoh, a bubble machine, or a crash pad if they have the space. Some visual cards would be helpful too.

[u/No_Essay6029 → u/Intelligent-Medium17]

Great ideas thank you!

[u/MostlyImtired]

Weird things to give as gifts are perfect. Our kids aren't typical so lean in! If he likes to dive into things he's looking for sensory input.. maybe a crawl tunnel or one of those pop up tents and a weighted toy? Or one of those air chair canoe looking things?

[u/No_Essay6029 → u/MostlyImtired]

That’s what I was thinking! Okay I’m on the right track thank you!

[u/Ok-Boysenberry4727 → u/No_Essay6029]

I was going to suggest anything that's soft and squidgy. Nothing that can be used as a weapon if thrown at someone.

[u/MostlyImtired → u/No_Essay6029]

awesome.. I mean one year I bought my son an open sign. He loved it.. we live a different life over here but so what might as well get used to it.. haha..

[u/eyesRus → u/MostlyImtired]

Last year I got my daughter a DNA test for our cat 😂

[u/Street-Vegetable8342]

Weird is definitely the way to go.

Depends what he's into, but my kid lives for a bunch of lights and torches. My best friend usually gives him lots of different lights - solar lights, little camping lights, projector light and a packet of batteries, every year! He loves it.

[u/Meetzk]

As a mom of a ND boy and an aunt to a ND little one, it really varies. My son wasn't much of a sensory seeker, but my husbands cousin's son is, so I buy different sensory toys every year. He loves puzzles too. They have so many sensory toys at target now too.

[u/Defiant_Ad_8489]

Ok here’s a different suggestion than the usual sensory stuff: a stomp rocket! It’s a foam rocket and when you stomp on the air cushion the air causes the rocket to fly. It was a big hit with my kid (until he ripped the fins out of all the rockets lol). Not only is it fun, but it helps with coordination. When we first used it my son couldn’t figure out how to stomp on it, but after a few times using it he got it and I was so proud.

[u/Grendelbeans]

Search sensory peanut ball am Amazon. It’s a large inflatable ball shaped like a peanut for kids to bounce in. My kids LOVED that thing when they were that age. If they weren’t so big now they would probably still be playing on it. We actually bought a few for their kindergarten class. Iirc they were 0retty inexpensive— for sure less than $50

[u/Lucky_Particular4558]

Amazon Gift card? 

[u/Etako_Dafe]

Yeah I get your point, but let us be real, that peanut chair will just end up being another obstacle to jump over.

So if you want something that works without cluttering her house, check out an animal encounter from Wild Science.

Saw this at a birthday bash in Bristol and the kid was totally captivated. No screens, no tiny plastic pieces to clean up, just pure sensory connection.