#SweetSuite13: Best Gifts for Boys

I attended The Big Toy Book #SweetSuite13 event in Chicago last week where I got to play with, learn about, and in some cases, get some of the toys I saw. But I’m so excited about finding so much cool stuff for boys that I’m sharing just out of pure excitement. All opinions are my own.

I’m a mama to all boys. And while I love my boys and wouldn’t have it any other way, there are times I feel a bit left out. Because the coolest toys seem to be for girls.

So I was very pleasantly surprised to see SO many awesome toys that would appeal to my three little men at the #SweetSuite13 event in Chicago last week. (There were also fun things for girls, but since I know many of you are boy mamas like me, I’m going to highlight the toys that I know will be on my boys’ Christmas lists!)

Build, build, build!

My 8 year old has an obsession with all things LEGO, so I loved getting to chat with someone from LEGO. We were talking about the different NINJAGO sets and how my son taught me to identify which are last year’s sets and which are the new sets. I don’t think he’ll ever get tired of LEGOs.

Because of that, I about wept with joy when I saw the Neat-O Zip Bin that would keep his LEGOs all in one place(and cut down on my cussing when I step on one).

I also saw Laser Pegs, which are compatible with LEGOs, but they light up. I may have been so excited to get a closer look at these that I totally forgot I had a drink in my hand and spilled it(see, it’s good I don’t have girls- it would be a bad situation if I needed to teach someone how to be graceful). We were sent a set of these this week and it’s the very first thing that my oldest claimed as his and he’s already asking for more(yes, we are starting our Christmas lists EARLY this year!).

K’NEX  were also at #SweetSuite13 and I’m amazed at the creations that can be built with those. Another toy my boys love and want more of.

Add in Tinker Toys and Mega Bloks and my boys would have been in build-it heaven just with these brands alone.

I love any sort of building toys and am happy that they are my boys’ favorites because they encourage so much creativity. Even though my oldest likes to follow the directions to build whatever kit he has, he likes to then make his own creation(and my 7 and 5 year olds are all about making up their own creations). I don’t think you can go wrong with these types of toys as gifts for boys.

Toys with Wheels

Any toy that encourages my boys to get outside always wins points with me. I’ve had my eye on Razor scooters for my boys for quite a while and my 5 and 7 year olds may well find one under the tree this year. But, the Razor Crazy Cart might just earn me the title of coolest mom ever this Christmas. It’s for ages 9 and up, so I could see this being a great gift for my oldest’s upcoming birthday. And since it goes up to 140 pounds, it would be totally okay if I drove it around a little, too.

Chuggington showed off the world’s tallest toy train track, which would have had my 5 year old swooning. He has a few Chuggington sets and loves finding new ways to put the sets together. But if he had seen that gigantic track, he’d be wondering why he couldn’t build one that big, too.

Mega Bloks had a Hot Wheels car we could build. My 7 year old would have had it built in about a quarter of the time it took me. But in any case, Hot Wheels are another can’t miss present for boys.

Electronic Fun

You know what would be nice? If I could actually USE my own iPad one of these days, instead of having it taken over by my boys. Which is why the InnoTab3S caught my eye. Vtech also has Switch & Go Dinos, perfect for my youngest’s dino obsession.

The Battroborg caught my attention: fighting robots controlled by these motion-controllers. My boys could battle it out with their robots instead of beating on each other. Oh, sign me up! (and honestly, Hubs and I would love to play with these, too)

Hexbugs have been a toy on my boys’ wish lists for a while now, after seeing them at friends’ houses. After getting to play with them at #SweetSuite13, I admit, they are super cool. Me, saying bugs (even of the electronic variety) are cool- you can tell I’m used to this boy mom gig.

More Great Toys for Boys

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (did you see me all dressed up as a Turtle?) Plus Skylanders, Superheroes, and even Snoopy! When in doubt, any of those toys is a good gift idea, too.

Thanks to The Big Toy Book for #SweetSuite13!

Thanks to The Big Toy Book and hostesses Joey Fortman,  Charlene DeLoach, and Laurie Schacht. It really was the biggest night of play! You made creating my Christmas list super easy. There were so many great brands and toys that I couldn’t possibly list them all, but these were the ones that would make a list of great gifts for boys according to the small dudes who live in my house.