For those who are interested, I bought Michael's birthday present yesterday. I took my Mum & Dad because they didn't know what to get either. We ended up buying these interactive educational toys from Toys R Us, where they were on special. I considered the Imaginext patrol boat (or whatever it was) because Michael had liked it when he saw it, but I thought he may lose interest like he has with other similar toys. And the Imaginext range is very limited in Australia.

So my folks bought a dinosaur machine and I bought a space/solar system one. He's really interested in both of those, and he found the same kind of toy (more or less an atlas) really interesting. We reasoned that the ones we bought won't be out of date in a hurry, whereas world borders, governments, populations, etc, change all the time.

If you like, I'll come back and let you know if he likes them as much as I hope.

Thank you to everyone who's given me ideas for my son's birthday present. I think I'll go with the idea of Imaginext, because I think I'd like to play with it too!

A SLIP AND SLIDE! it is soooo much fun and entertains kids while keeping them active.

Well, you may think this is a bit much for a 6 year old boy but, here is my idea. 

I have two kids, a 7 year old and a 5 year old.  Both my kids are very active and do to me fighting cancer I am unable to put them in all the sports and things they would like to be in.  Anyways, we got our kids the new Wii game, its interactive and they can act out the sports right there in your living room.  they have racing games, fighting, sports, bowling and so much more, my kids have hours of fun on it and its fun for me to lay back and watch them do it.  This may also be a good way to try and get him into sports!!!!!!!

I highly recommend Imaginext!  My son discovered it at age 8-9 which we thought was a bit old to start with it as it is something you just keep adding to.  BUT he has had years of pleasure out of it and it is of such good quality that he has decided it is one of the things he wants to save for his own kids one day.  He's now 14 and if it wasn't packed up and left in storage at his grandmothers' place in Sydney he would still be playing with it.  If your son like Kinnex, Lego and Bionicles + pirates, castles and that sort of thing then go and check it out.  Like I said, it's superb quality - but it is not cheap and will last for years.  At this age you can add sets for the next few years of Christmases and birthdays.

Sharon

My favourite thing is the vortex. If you dont know what it is It's a throwing toy, shaped like a torpedo and it whistles in the air. They are under $10, you get them from toyworld and they are greeat fun. i don't beleive a gift has to be flashy or expensive to be good.

Needs 2 people to play though. Just throw it to each other and catch.

Hi,

How about some Lego so that when it is finished, your son can keep it in his bedroom & maybe start a collection.  Does he like fiddleing with nails, screws etc. because if he does, you could make up a small too-kit for him.

Or you could take him to the zoo/theme park etc with one of his close friends.  Let us know what you decide.

Krys.

Lego is a great one. My 6 year old loves it.

My son says to get:

remote control cars or vehicles, x-men, star wars stuff. I think he is going to name like everything in the new toys r us booklet. LOL

It really depends on what he is into. We love manga and anime so my kids love that sorta thing.