Holiday Gift Ideas for a Boy Aged 4 to 7

As the father of a 4-year old connoisseur of toys, I feel I am well qualified to discuss the best gifts for boys in the 4 to 7 age range. Whenever we step foot in a Target, Wal-Mart, or any other establishment which carries pieces of plastic stamped with "Made in China", he takes off like a heat-seeking missile. To catch him almost requires the endurance of an Olympic decathlon athlete. After scouring the toy aisle, these are the items which he is most likely to grab and proudly proclaim, "I want this for Christmas!"

1) ANY action figure. When I was a boy, action figures represented only a small portion of the toy aisle, and they were mainly of the Star Wars variety. These days, there is an entire aisle dedicated to action figures. The new figures are vastly superior to their older counterparts. They are more posable (with elbows and knees that bend), more detailed, and are equipped with cooler accessories. Good examples of these figures include X-Men, Ben 10, Iron Man, Star Wars, Secret Saturdays, and GI Joe.

2) Legos. This classic toy is still highly desired by the boys. The product has expanded over the years to include larger play sets with theme such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Racers, City, and Space Police. This toy helps foster the child's cognitive skills through building and following instructions. Also, it nurtures their imagination by allowing them to make custom creations.

3) Board games. Games such as Candy Land, Trouble, and Sorry never go out of style and can help educate the child while they play. Also, games such as Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, and various others how have a junior version to accommodate younger players. Finally, even basic games such as checkers and chess can entertain while developing strategy and competition.

4) Die-cast cars and trucks. Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars are as popular as ever. Not only will they provide hours of entertainment for your child but also they are economical for your pocketbook. The cars can be found at Wal-Mart or other department stores for as low as 97 cents each.