I literally have no money and I need ideas for something I can do/make as a gift or come up with something.  Anyway any Moms/ frugal grandmas out there, please help.  This child is more affluent and has lots of toys already.  Thanks, Carmina

Do you have any plaster of paris?  Make him a "pinata" kit with some balloons, newspaper strips, paint, plaster of paris and instructions.

Make some homemade gak (google homemade gak and you'll get lots of hits)

Make various forms of "edible" playdough (again, google edible playdough and you'll get lots of hits)

Make a "homemade sticker" kit with lots of cutout of various kid-popular graphics along with a bottle of homemade sticker glue (betcha gonna guess which website will have recipes for it)

I'll think of some more....hopefully those will work or will inspire some other ideas.

If you're close to the child, you could write a personalized book about him.  It could include favorite things to do, things to eat, colors, sports, etc.  Or if you have done an activity you could write about that.  Maybe you have some pictures of the two of you spending time together?  Then write about that and include the pictures on the appropriate pages.

What about a gift certificate to do something at a later date.  Explain to him that you know he's busy now, but at a later date you could play at a special park and have a picnic lunch, or feed the ducks at a pond, or go the library and pick out books after getting a library card, or watch an elementary game of soccer, basketball, or bake cookies with you and send him home with a plate full.

Is he in school?  Call the school and find out what they're colors are buy a couple of folders in those colors, print out coloring sheets from the internet.

 

 

Maybe you could give him a jar of cookie mix or brownie mix like the ones you put in mason jars and then offer to make them with him sometime.  You could top it with a piece of cloth with dinosaurs or cars or whatever else he likes.  You can find the recipes on line. 

if you live near a dollar store, you can make a great gift under $5.  all dinosaurs or a craft kit for example.  I find lots of great things there.

I saw a recipe for a jar of gel soap that has a small toy in it. I think it only had a few cheap ingredients and I think it was on about.com if I'm not mistaken, also what about writing down a few easy science experiments like making a playdough volcano and having it erupt using paprika (or red food coloring), baking soda and vinegar or putting an egg or chicken bone in a jar with vinegar, or blowing up a balloon using baking soda and vinegar and an empty soda bottle. You could even include all the items for one experiment such as a balloon, empty soda bottle, small jar of vinegar and small baggie of baking soda?

Take him to the zoo?

A bag of balloons?

A box of rubber bands? (Show him how to "shoot" rubber bands.)

A picnic in a nearby park?

Take him fishing?

Try creating a dress-up box. My boys still love to play games/make believe with theirs and they are almost teenagers. Add to the box old hats, face masks, socks, shirts and belts. (Ask anyone and everyone you know for their zaniest stuff--which they may be glad to rid out!) Any old Halloween face masks or face paint is fair game. When my boys were 5, they played endless puppet shows using old kids houseshoes with stuffed animal faces. Even mix/match pairs of adult shoes stuffed with newspaper can become clown shoes. Old winter face masks that only expose the eyes, nose holes and mouth are great for Ninja pretend play. Old capes are especially good for "flying" and a cape can be fashioned from an old skirt. Old pillow cases can be changed with arm holes and head holes. I always keep my eyes open while at thrift stores for interesting items--an eye patch for a pirate, black leggings and a small red vest for example. Some old babbles can be put into a "treasure chest." The dress-up box can do double duty at Halloween time. The sky is the limit!!!

Spend time with him.  Go to a thrift and buy some age-appropriate board games or building kits, and play with him.  Teach him a craft.  Do an art project.  Buy a box of sidewalk chalk and teach him to play hopscotch.  Create a coupon book with pictures so he knows what they coupons are for, with things like  "eat lunch with me", "play a game with me", "go to the park with me" - anything he enjoys doing that he can do with you.  Time is free - and priceless - and it's the best thing you can give him.

 Hello To All

If you are looking for character themed items - Cars, Spiderman and Transformers seem like can't miss items with most boys that age. 

A lot of them are just getting into sports more at that age as well, so any bat, ball, glove, soccer equipment or basketball is another good bet.

Legos to create helipcopters or bulldozers or other "cool machines" are also gifts that generally get an "oh wow".

And the old standby - Hot Wheels- are still big with the boys.