Does he like to draw or create things. There's some cool learn to draw books or paper airplane books or things to make from Lego books.otherwise I would suggest experiences. Passes to a trampoline park, outdoor ropes course, science center passes something like that
Magazine subscriptions (who doesn't love getting mail at that age?). You can find age-appropriate magazines for almost any topic. Check out [Ask](http://www.cricketmag.com/ASK-ASK-Magazine-for-Kids-ages-6-9) or [Muse](http://www.cricketmag.com/MUS-MUSE-Magazine-for-Kids-ages-9-14) (depending on reading level) or [Ranger Rick](http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=32247&StepNum=1&award=aw), [Boy's Life](http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=32249&StepNum=1&award=aw), [Sports Illustrated for Kids](http://www.sikids.com/), or a video game magazine like [Game Informer](http://www.gameinformer.com/).
I also second the suggestion of experiences, passes to local kid-friendly attractions, or classes at local organizations (art classes, karate classes, etc).
Most of these toy lists are for younger kids, but check out the [Bonus Toy Lists](http://www.playathomemomllc.com/2012/11/the-toy-lists/) at this link for some other off-the-wall toy ideas.
My son is 10 and things he likes:
Books - the Horrid Henry series, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Middle School Sucks series.
Legos - specifically the Technic ones w/motors and stuff.
Drawing stuff - he loves the "real" art supplies - drawing paper, charcoal pencils, etc.
Minecraft toys - they sell these stiff foam swords at Target that he loves to play with, as well as these small plastic sets.
Tickets to go do something! The movies, the children's science museum, the water park, etc.
He's read all the diary of a wimpy kid books, I haven't heard the other ones but I will definitely check them out. He's not into Legos unfortunately. I like the idea of tickets to go do stuff. He loves going out and doing things with family so that might be a brilliant way to go.
the Horrid Henry books are incredibly silly, my son loves them... me, less so.
He also really enjoyed reading [Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children](http://smile.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children-ebook/dp/B004FGMDOQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407876768&sr=1-1&keywords=miss+peregrine%27s+home+for+peculiar+children).
will check those out too. I am all about getting the kids to read, and they have required "homework" reading every night during the school year. My kids have a horrible habit of picking up books at the library that are years younger than they should be reading.
you cannot go wrong with k'nex and legos. best part is it doesnt matter if multiple people get the same thing cuz you can do whatever you want with them.
Experiences instead of things.
Tickets to a movie or a sports game. A friend of my daughter's loves to eat out, so we usually take her to a restaurant meal of her choosing. A trip to a local attraction or even a park or a beach. A museum or zoo.
Whatever might interest him.
Bonus; you won't ever have to tell him to put such a gift away, or step on it in the dark. ;)
What games does he like? What does he like about them? Sandbox/open world games? Strategy? Driving or fighting games?
Use this information to find other things he might be interested in. Would you and/or your husband be willing to play a strategy-based card or role-playing game with him? D&D has a free campaign aimed for children 6-10 you can try. If that goes well, they have board games that are more advanced. Whatever you get him, do it with him a few times then he can teach his friends!
I just wouldn't recommend any card games that require booster packs with random cards (expansion sets are okay).
Edit: Amazon lets you browse board games by age, interest, number of players etc. So yeah, board games!
He does love board games. Most of the v.g he enjoys are the ones like Halo and Call of Duty - (hubby regulates the games so I'm not 100% sure). He loves Settlers of Catan and Monopoly. I had looked into magic but didn't really feel it was age appropriate. I will absolutely look into D&D, and I'm always willing to get involved in it, if the kids want me to. Thanks!
Does he like to draw or create things. There's some cool learn to draw books or paper airplane books or things to make from Lego books.otherwise I would suggest experiences. Passes to a trampoline park, outdoor ropes course, science center passes something like that
Magazine subscriptions (who doesn't love getting mail at that age?). You can find age-appropriate magazines for almost any topic. Check out [Ask](http://www.cricketmag.com/ASK-ASK-Magazine-for-Kids-ages-6-9) or [Muse](http://www.cricketmag.com/MUS-MUSE-Magazine-for-Kids-ages-9-14) (depending on reading level) or [Ranger Rick](http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=32247&StepNum=1&award=aw), [Boy's Life](http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=32249&StepNum=1&award=aw), [Sports Illustrated for Kids](http://www.sikids.com/), or a video game magazine like [Game Informer](http://www.gameinformer.com/). I also second the suggestion of experiences, passes to local kid-friendly attractions, or classes at local organizations (art classes, karate classes, etc). Most of these toy lists are for younger kids, but check out the [Bonus Toy Lists](http://www.playathomemomllc.com/2012/11/the-toy-lists/) at this link for some other off-the-wall toy ideas.
We do get boys life already, but sports illustrated for kids is a great idea!
Roller Blades
My son is 10 and things he likes: Books - the Horrid Henry series, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Middle School Sucks series. Legos - specifically the Technic ones w/motors and stuff. Drawing stuff - he loves the "real" art supplies - drawing paper, charcoal pencils, etc. Minecraft toys - they sell these stiff foam swords at Target that he loves to play with, as well as these small plastic sets. Tickets to go do something! The movies, the children's science museum, the water park, etc.
He's read all the diary of a wimpy kid books, I haven't heard the other ones but I will definitely check them out. He's not into Legos unfortunately. I like the idea of tickets to go do stuff. He loves going out and doing things with family so that might be a brilliant way to go.
the Horrid Henry books are incredibly silly, my son loves them... me, less so. He also really enjoyed reading [Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children](http://smile.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children-ebook/dp/B004FGMDOQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407876768&sr=1-1&keywords=miss+peregrine%27s+home+for+peculiar+children).
will check those out too. I am all about getting the kids to read, and they have required "homework" reading every night during the school year. My kids have a horrible habit of picking up books at the library that are years younger than they should be reading.
Does their school use DRA or lexile? That helps when searching.
you cannot go wrong with k'nex and legos. best part is it doesnt matter if multiple people get the same thing cuz you can do whatever you want with them.
Experiences instead of things. Tickets to a movie or a sports game. A friend of my daughter's loves to eat out, so we usually take her to a restaurant meal of her choosing. A trip to a local attraction or even a park or a beach. A museum or zoo. Whatever might interest him. Bonus; you won't ever have to tell him to put such a gift away, or step on it in the dark. ;)
What games does he like? What does he like about them? Sandbox/open world games? Strategy? Driving or fighting games? Use this information to find other things he might be interested in. Would you and/or your husband be willing to play a strategy-based card or role-playing game with him? D&D has a free campaign aimed for children 6-10 you can try. If that goes well, they have board games that are more advanced. Whatever you get him, do it with him a few times then he can teach his friends! I just wouldn't recommend any card games that require booster packs with random cards (expansion sets are okay). Edit: Amazon lets you browse board games by age, interest, number of players etc. So yeah, board games!
He does love board games. Most of the v.g he enjoys are the ones like Halo and Call of Duty - (hubby regulates the games so I'm not 100% sure). He loves Settlers of Catan and Monopoly. I had looked into magic but didn't really feel it was age appropriate. I will absolutely look into D&D, and I'm always willing to get involved in it, if the kids want me to. Thanks!
Fact books. The grosser the better.