? kiddie X-mas present

[andymac]

Hi, have a 4-year old nephew + am looking for suggestions for a Christmas present for him to interest him in aviation.
Your suggestions please!!

[Adamant]

Latest Transair catalogue features a "Let's Play Airport" set, a general aviation colouring book, a suitably trendy child's aviator jacket and the "Adventures of Albert the Aeroplane" series of ten books, amongst other things.

No, I don't work for Transair - I'm just used to searching for aviation-related presents for my two young nieces.

[CrashDive]

I've a four year old boy (well he will be in January) and I've just taken him on his first flight (to BCN - not too long / not too short). He enjoyed take-off (looked out the window the whole time), got bored in the cruise, but again enjoyed the landing (once more looking out of the window).

What I'm trying to say is that I speak with some experience of four year old boys (if you'll excuse the double-entendre')

For a stocking-filler, how about one of those little airline models of say a Go B737-300? Nice little thing to have on his bookshelf, or for him to run around the room with making all kinds of vrrrrooooommmmm noises!

But IMHO perhaps the best thing for a lad of that age are 'picture & word' books with lots of nice drawings of planes and/or airports (e.g you point to the cockpit and ask him who sits in there and what is it that they do they do, point to an engine and ask what it is, ask how many engines does it have, etc...).
For bed time a story book with lots of aircraft/airline/airport pictures is a MUST - guess what he'll be dreaming of ?!

Likewise, a simple (ie. 30 piece, not 1000) jigsaw puzzle with anything aeronautical on it. Young kids love these kind of things (once you can get them started on it there's not stopping them - and all the while they're learning reading, counting, motor-skills, shape/pattern recognition, etc), and
again all the while you can be asking them what the bits of the aircraft are.

Trust me mate, the old favourites really are the best - please ignore all the computer games, etc..

But best of all are books !

Finally, knowledge IS king !

Ps. Hence the edit - don't worry if they're not enamoured on X-mas day with what you've bought them, and instead the Mega Blaster, including serious bells and whistles and a real LOUD sound, that uncle Bob who works at the toy store gave them seems to be their favourite - it’ll soon be discarded - and some weeks/months later, after a little prompting, they will be delighted to show you just how much they now about all things aeronautical ! e.g. my lad now knows more about the B733 FMC than I do ! :)

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[CrashDive]

Adamant is right - books, young children do (still) love books !

Indeed I'm gonna make a visit to Transair at SHM tomorrow for some of those books that he's mentioned - thanks for the tip mate.

Nb. The toy set Adamant mentioned can be viewed at : <A HREF="http://www.transair.co.uk/jepdoubles/playset.htm" TARGET="_blank">http://www.transair.co.uk/jepdoubles/playset.htm</A>

And a front cover view of the 'Albert' books can be seen at: <A HREF="http://www.eprint.co.uk/literacy.htm#albert" TARGET="_blank">http://www.eprint.co.uk/literacy.htm#albert</A>

They seem to comply with both KS1&2 (Key Stage 1 & 2) and aimed at boys and girls of 6-8 years old, i.e an ability level which (and please excuse my cynical outlook w.r.t ‘modern’ educational standards) had many of use old’uns reading out loud from the front of the class whilst we were still at play school - so they’ll be perfect for a four year old with good genes (and I don’t mean Calvin’s or Levi’s) !


[Note: This message has been edited by CrashDive]

[Squawk 8888]

<A HREF="http://www.chapters.ca/books/details/default.asp?mscssid=RPG0E1E6A42H9L72XNTE4KHE3D5W2J9D&WSID=121268047F85F7F747DC903D3DCB0C2FDF993111&ISBN=155037026X" TARGET="_blank">Angela's Aiplane</A> by Robert Munsch is a riot.

[Mycroft]

Apparently the Barbie Jumbo (possibly with Pilot Ken?) is the hot item this year, and some independant furniature shops stock a range of alternative rocking horses, including a/c

[andymac]

many thanks for the hints, better get my skates on then.
Have a good Christmas/New Year.

[Goldie]

There is also the new "divorce Barbie " it comes with all Ken's belongings

[Flypuppy]

D'you reckon it would be too soon to get a 6 month old girl the play airport?

[Mooney]

When I was young I was given a Wooster Model for christmas- it was great! Every christmas I looked forward to getting a different model- with a different scheme. I think this christmas it might have a GO scheme on it!

The only problem is- I have so many of the dam things now! But I'm sure your 4 year old will love it. There is a superb shop in the Sheraton Skyline Hotel at LHR which sells models- both plastic and metal. They are about 10 pounds each.

<A HREF="http://www.collectorsaircraft.com" TARGET="_blank">www.collectorsaircraft.com</A>

or 020 8754 7281

:)Mooney :)

PS I hope you realise by getting your kid into aviation in 20 years time you'll be looking at an expensive loan for a licence!

[This message has been edited by Mooney (edited 12 December 2000).]

[fly4fud]

What about a trial flight lesson at your nearest FBO?

;)

------------------
* cut my wings and I'll die *

[andymac]

perhaps a bit young for a trial lesson - maybe when he's fifteen or so. Will take him up myself in my Piper Colt as soon as the chance presents itself. Tks anyway.