Christmas shopping - quality / fun / educational for kids

[mjmjr25]

I like the Potter's wheel - great idea, Luke.

[Luke]

I like the Potter's wheel - great idea, Luke.

With all the land you own, r/c planes would be something else I would throw out there.

I'm trying to give you ideas where you start small but build a love for the craft and customize.

One more suggestion: a pet. I want an outdoor chicken so bad I can barely contain myself.

[mjmjr25]

I like the Potter's wheel - great idea, Luke.

With all the land you own, r/c planes would be something else I would throw out there.

I'm trying to give you ideas where you start small but build a love for the craft and customize.

One more suggestion: a pet. I want an outdoor chicken so bad I can barely contain myself.

We have a chicken coop on the back of the garage - but no chickens, it doesn't need much heat, but enough to keep it at least 10-20 above, and I need a better outdoor heater before we put chickens in there.

The kids have RC planes, yeah. Not big self-build ones, but decent little store bought planes. Their grandpa on my wife's side has been into competitive model planes (like the 3-4' variety, not manned ultralights) for years and has been trying to get me to get them into it...just haven't yet.

[Luke]

The kids have RC planes, yeah. Not big self-build ones, but decent little store bought planes. Their grandpa on my wife's side has been into competitive model planes (like the 3-4' variety, not manned ultralights) for years and has been trying to get me to get them into it...just haven't yet.

Rockets are also great. They might take what seems like forever to build, but boy they are exciting. Sixty some hours of work (including the days of waiting, and waiting, and waiting), two minutes of flight, but I still enjoyed them.

Pottery wheel might be the best fit.

[noiseredux]

I don't have kids, so I'll do my best to help. Here's some thoughts off the top of my dome...

Maybe try to think in terms of smaller purchases? Like how Luke said an RC plane... I'd go with three like $30 ones instead of one that costs a lot like $100. Y'know?

Your kids have to go to school enough, so make sure it's nothing boring where they might learn something lol.

I feel like Pogs are ready for a comeback?

You mentioned a $300 budget... maybe a Wii U is the way to go? Although I know your wife might like a board game better. Target has a bunch of board games in the $30 range: http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=boar ... oard+games How about picking up ten of those?

Something else I thought of, and this is a little out of left field: dirtbikes.

Also, I'd stay away from musical instruments. Remember what I said about learning? Kids don't want to have to learn notes and scales and stuff.

Same goes for telescopes. They probably have already seen planets and stars in books at school. And if not they can just squint and see them pretty good at night without you blowing your $300.

Sidenote: I don't know why you keep calling them snowshoes? Is that a MN thing? They're called "boots."

[SpaceBooger]

How about book making supplies?

Journals... Comic Book page layouts... I know you said nothing digital or with a monitor, but what about a blog for the older kids?

If you could encourage them to write or draw everyday (whatever they want - nothing planned) you would be amazed by what could come of it.

Books can be made from ideas, collections, thoughts, pictures, or even for recording things they thought were funny. They don't have to write a novel. This is also something that can be worked into a routine. (ie every day at dinner we take turns saying what our favorite thing is, starting this winter we are going to switch it up and have the kids draw/write it while we are preparing for dinner then talk about it)

I also suggest a couple magazine subscriptions or a book club. As a kid there was nothing cooler than getting something new every month in the mail.

Lastly - my kids (5, 4, 2 and one due in May) love box the heavy bag. I know it sounds odd, but they all (minus the unborn one) love to hit the bag and they are play better together while wearing boxing gloves than any other time of the day. For my older boys this is what we are getting them this :

Stick and Move Kickboxing Trainer
-Follow the light and strike when lit
-Adjustable skill levels and speed
-Six great game options, including training and speed bag

Some people may think this is violent, but instead we are teaching it as a sport and a sport only.

[oxymoron]

I don't know if you're really against guns but paintball is a fun and relatively cheap hobby.

[mjmjr25]

SB, really like the idea. My older son is in Karate and is always wanting to "do his moves", that bag might be a real winner. Seriously considering that idea - thanks!

My oldest daughter truly loves to read - she's literally missed the bus stop being so caught up in books. We get Scholastic books monthly, yeah. My daughter had "Illustory" a couple years back and she has a novel in progress on her google.drive account.

@Oxy - not opposed to paintball and it might be a ton of fun. It would have to be something not quite as hard as paintballs yet, or at least not as fast - i'd worry about the younger ones...but something I will look into.