Gift Suggestions for Five Year Old

[EL PARRo]

If the kid likes Legos, a Lego train set would be good for him.

[Anonymous]

Hi again,
Thanks so much for the input! He has been playing with Thomas Trains since he was two and we have been going to local "hook-ups" since three, so now he would like electric trains. My Uncle did give us a couple boxes of old Lionels and Tyco trains and tracks but I don't want him to be disappointed that Santa brought him used stuff that might not work...I'm running out of time for this Holiday to test it all. I figure save those till he is older and he can set up a plan himself.
Thanks again!!
C

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ironmine

I have to disagree a bit with Stuckarmchairing. I think my kids played with the Brio wooden stuff all the time, and for many years. Or do I have the age group wrong? I don't think so.

They build the track layout as they want. And change it any time they want. Then put it all away in a huge Rubbermaid thing that goes under bed, then take it tomorrow and build a whole new layout. There's many engines and rolling stock, a few working "industries", "structures."

The real Brio stuff is expensive, I think there are knock-offs. But the more they have of it, they have a railroad empire that they can build and control, instead of just watch.

I wasnt saying brio was bad. I had a bunch of brio when i was a little kid (I remember looking at pictures of peoples layouts in model railroader when i was six and setting up my brio track like it, good times) and a great deal of it is still in storage, But after a while i wanted electric trains. Brios a great way to start but after a while you need to move on to the "real" thing.

[Anonymous]

I have to disagree a bit with Stuckarmchairing. I think my kids played with the Brio wooden stuff all the time, and for many years. Or do I have the age group wrong? I don't think so.

They build the track layout as they want. And change it any time they want. Then put it all away in a huge Rubbermaid thing that goes under bed, then take it tomorrow and build a whole new layout. There's many engines and rolling stock, a few working "industries", "structures."

The real Brio stuff is expensive, I think there are knock-offs. But the more they have of it, they have a railroad empire that they can build and control, instead of just watch.

I think I'm right about this.(?)

Or, maybe you just really want to get them going with electric trains? That's cool.

My 2 cent.
Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

I think children that age still like Thomas...

Whatcha talkin' bout!!!! I like Thomas!!!! [;)] My 3 year old daughter and I watch Thomas movies together all the time!

[cacole]

Thomas the Tank Engine perhaps. I think children that age still like Thomas. If you want something different, I would not get anything smaller than HO scale. Most starter sets in stores around this time of year are Bachmann or LifeLike Christmas train sets, which are fairly rugged, but no where near as durable as the old Lionel metal (tinplate) products.

[randybc2003]

Try a steamer rather than a diesel unless he/she has a specific reaction to aparticular train - color, familiarity, etc. The sight of the drivers and linkages can be absolutely fascinating - even to an adult. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Lifelike trainsets should be pretty tough, and I also had a really tough Bachmann 0-4-0 steamer from Toys R Us when I was about that age. I remember it being a lot of fun watching it run.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a LGB or one of lionels starter sets? They can take a beating and are much more fun then brio or thomas the tank engine wooden trains.

[Anonymous]

Hi.
I am looking for a set for a Five year old and would welcome any suggestions.
H-O size maybe?? Very new to this.
Thanks!!