Looking for Christmas gift suggestions for boys, 8 and 13

Parent Cafe
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<p>It’s been a busy fall, my 8-year-old has been out of school with a virus and then walking pneumonia for two weeks, and I am behind on my Christmas shopping. I am completely frazzled. I’d like to think of something special for my two sons, ages 8 and 13. I already have the usual - books, music CDs, board games, movie DVDs, erector sets, etc. They are both intensely interested in geography and mapmaking, as well as history. The younger one is musical and plays the piano. The older one loves making things like scenery (in perfect scale) for model train layouts. Both like science and math. I hate video and computer games. </p>

<p>Any and all suggestions welcome!</p>

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<p>My 8 year old boy likes geography also and we got him an interactive globe thingy. I suspect he is going to be beside himself with joy over it because he wanted one so badly. I know you didn’t mention anything like this, but a good telescope is one of the best gifts I ever gave my daughter who is now 14. I believe (but am not sure) that we gave it to her when she was 12. It’s grown so much with her and she with it.</p>

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<p>Thank you, Zooser - I hadn’t realized that you had a son. I’ll have to look into the interactive globe. We already have a good telescope, and it was a great gift a few years ago.</p>